Melbourne influencer Nadia Bartel and her friends may have been heavily fined for breaching COVID-19 rules after THAT video appeared to show them snorting a white powder at an illegal gathering but they will not be charged for the offence.
The footage first appeared, purportedly accidentally, on Bartel’s business partner Ellie Pearsons’s Instagram story, showing Bartel snorting a line of powder off a plate while surrounded by friends (you’ve almost certainly seen it by now). With Melbourne currently in lockdown, the footage showed Bartel and co. breaking Victoria’s COVID-10 rules which restrict any social gatherings inside or outside the home.
Victoria Police confirmed on Monday, September 6th, that four women – a 36-year-old from Windsor, a 32-year-old from Richmond, a 33-year-old from Pascoe Vale, and a 35-year-old from Strathmore – had all been fined the hefty sum of $5452 each for participating in the illegal gathering at a Richmond address on Thursday, September 2nd, from about 4pm.
“A fifth woman at the address was not charged as she was complying with CHO employment restrictions,” a Victoria Police spokeswoman revealed then. “Enquiries into possible drug offences are ongoing.”
Bartel was quick to express her remorse in an Instagram post. “I have let you all down by my actions,” she stated. “I take full responsibility and I am committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure I make better choices in future. To my family and friends, my business partners and the public health workers trying to keep us all safe, I am embarrassed and remorseful.” She ended by saying “I am truly deeply and sorry. I hope I can earn your forgiveness and, in time, your trust.” Bartel, who has a huge 565k followers on Instagram, hasn’t posted on the social media platform since making her apology.
Despite this apology, extra consequences kept following for the popular influencer: first she was dropped as a brand ambassador for JS Health Vitamins but more sponsors have followed in fleeing, then Hairhouse Australia, a haircare and beauty company, also confirmed that they were no longer going to be working alongside Bartel. In a statement shared to the So Dramatic Instagram account, a spokesperson for the company stated that their “partnership with Nadia has come to end.”
Bartel has found some luck though, as it’s emerged she won’t be charged for the offence, as per the Daily Mail. On Thursday morning, September 9th, Victoria Police confirmed that no further action will be made in the case.
Well that’s that then. A minor escape for Bartel and co. but it’s fair to say the influencer’s reputation has been pretty much tarnished for good.
