A woman in New York City, New York, said she struggled to breathe at night for several days before discovering what she described as a giant mushroom growing beneath her bed. She also claimed the floor was covered in spores. Now, only weeks after moving in, she is reportedly looking to leave the apartment.
Amelia Axel shared the mushroom story on TikTok. She typically posts a mix of lifestyle content, including videos about her recent move into what is now her apartment. The clip above is a follow-up, but it was the original post—which featured the mushroom in question—that went viral, amassing 12.1 million views, 934,000 likes, and more than 7,000 comments.
The New York woman captioned the carousel by explaining that she had struggled to breathe for two nights. She said she ultimately spent the entire morning at urgent care, where medical staff were unable to determine what was wrong.
Then Amelia looked under her bed and discovered a giant mushroom, with what appeared to be white spores scattered across the floor.
The New York Woman Moved Out
In an initial follow-up, she explained that the leasing company had inspected the apartment before she moved in. After moving in, she cleaned her room thoroughly before laying down a rug and noticed no mushrooms at the time. Soon after, she began experiencing chest tightness and described the sensation as feeling like there was a “film” over her lungs. Her symptoms eventually prompted a visit to urgent care, which was followed by the discovery of the mushrooms.
“I don’t think I’ve ever been more freaked out in my entire life,” Amelia said. “It looks like something out of a horror movie.”
The woman did some investigating and learned from the previous tenant that the apartment had once had a mold problem, which was supposedly resolved. However, based on what she found, it appeared the issue had not been fully addressed. She recorded close-up footage of the mushroom and its spores, as well as what seemed to be a leak directly beside it.
In yet another follow-up, the New York woman said the mushroom and spores had been cleaned up. However, she was informed that if the mold issue is confirmed, she will have to vacate the apartment. In that case, she said she would receive her security deposit back, along with her June rent. In the meantime, she is looking for another apartment in the area.
Internet Reactions
Amelia’s mushroom story sparked a wave of reactions, mostly from shocked and concerned viewers. One person wrote, “Mold illness is so real!” Another commented, “Genuinely in utter shock and disarray over this.”
Others chose to make light of the situation. One person wrote, “Have you been making clicking noises lately, perchance?” Another added, “Some olive oil, salt, and pepper over high heat for about 20–25 minutes.”
According to the most recent update, there does not appear to be any mold in the area where the mushroom was found. However, a mold inspector has not yet examined Amelia’s apartment, and she plans to move out regardless.
