Full blown fight erupts among two roommate New York influencers as rent spat turns sour: 'Horribly traumatizing'

By EMMA RICHTER, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER Published: 21:57, 28 June 2026 | Updated: 22:29, 28 June 2026 A massive feud has broken out between two New York City influencer roommates over their rental agreement - and both of them have shared how they feel about it to their thousands of followers.  The disagreement has been boiling for months after Emily Dukes, a full-time artist, decided to enter a sublease with Marlyn Rodriguez.  Dukes, who goes by her handle 'cozygrocery' on social media, said she was finally happy to put some roots down in the Big Apple after dreaming of living there all her life.  But just about a month after settling into the apartment she shares with Rodriguez - who goes by 'marylnlikethefish' online - she told Duke that she thought it would be best if the two of them went their separate ways.  Dukes, 29, then took to her TikTok page with a multi-part series about all her 'horribly traumatizing' roommate drama - wracking up thousands of views as horrified fans watch on in shock.  According to Dukes, she agreed to sign a two-month sublease to stay at the apartment Rodriguez lives in. The two of them then 'verbally agreed upon that we were resigning [the lease] in July,' she said.  But earlier this month, Rodriguez informed Dukes that she would no be resigning, and instead, was looking to leave the apartment altogether.  With that on the table, Dukes said she was happy to find another roommate to take over Rodriguez's spot, but, according to her, that wasn't actually the case.  Emily Dukes, a full-time artist who goes by the name 'cozygrocery' on social media, posted  a series of videos on her TikTok page exposing the roommate drama she's been having in New York City Dukes entered a sublease with Marlyn Rodriguez (pictured) a few months back, but the time has come for them to decide if they want to resign the lease Dukes claimed that Rodriguez went on to say she wasn't leaving, and that it would be the subletter who would need to pack their things and go.  Meanwhile, Rodriguez, who posted two videos hitting out at Dukes for airing out their dirty laundry online, said she is for sure leaving the apartment.  Now that Dukes is aware that she will be left to fend for herself at the apartment, she has had to scramble to figure out how she will afford it on her own.  With that, she launched a GoFundMe fundraiser so her supporters can donate to help her keep the place.  'I moved into my current place thinking I'd get to stay, but after a horribly traumatizing situation with my roommate, now turned into dealing with slummy landlords, I'm at my breaking point and I need help,' she wrote on the page.  In her videos and on the page, Dukes said she set up the fundraiser as a safety net for her if she was the one who was going to be left to bear the costs of the apartment on her own.  It is unclear what she paid as a subletter and how much she would have to pay once Rodriguez leaves at the beginning of July.  'I feel embarrassed to even do this because it feels like there's so many other better causes, but I have an incredible following on social media who wants to support, and so for anyone who's asked, I'd love to open this up to receive the help,' Dukes continued.  Dukes has launched a GoFundMe fundraiser so her supporters can donate to help her keep the place As of Sunday afternoon, she has raised more than $4,700. Her end goal, according to the fundraiser, is $5,500.  While it remains unclear exactly where everyone will end up when this is all said and done, people online have become really invested in hearing both sides of the story.  Dukes, who posted a lot more than Rodriguez on the topic, has gotten a mix of reviews from the public regarding her stance on the matter.  Some people have suggested that she has blown it out of proportion, with one user commenting: 'Omg get a diary and move out.'  'You definitely are in the wrong,' another said.  Meanwhile, a lot of people questioned why she was taking the time to rant online, but not to look for a new place.  A user commented: 'Maybe use this time to look for a new place?' 'Everything but looking for a new apartment I guess,' someone else posted.  But, at the same time, she's gained a lot of support from people.  'Why is it up to her? Just stay! She can’t make you leave,' one said, referring to Rodriguez.  Another demanded: 'DO NOT LEAVE!!!'  Rodriguez has also gained traction online from the spat, with a supporter telling her: 'We're all on your side.'  The Daily Mail contacted Dukes and Rodriguez for comment.   No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. 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