Content warning: This article discusses drug use and may be distressing to some readers.
It’s the scandal that stopped the nation: former AFL WAG and fashion designer Nadia Bartel was caught red-handed breaching COVID restrictions in a spicy video where she appeared to be attending a lockdown party in Melbourne on Thursday, September 2.
But that wasn’t the only law she was *allegedly* breaking that night! As discussed in episode 99 of So Dramatic! With Megan Pustetto, the mum-of-two and ex-wife of AFL legend Jimmy Bartel, appeared in the four-second clip snorting a line of white powder off a plate, while several friends surrounded her, sans masks. And let’s be honest, it doesn’t take Sherlock Holmes to deduce what that white substance could *allegedly* be!
Now, you may be wondering, since when do we report on influencers? Well, we’re glad you asked! Nadia took part in Channel 7’s limited reality show The Full Monty: Ladies Night back in 2019 in order to raise awareness for breast cancer, henceforth putting her in the realm of reality TV and providing us with a small loophole to report on this case. Keeping up? Great!
So Dramatic! was sent the groundbreaking four-second video after friend and business partner of Nadia, Ellie Pearson (also a WAG, having previously dated ex-Geelong star Josh Hunt), posted to her social media stories in what seems to be an accidental upload. Don’t you just hate when that happens?!
A source close to Nadia was able to weigh in on how the unfortunate situation unfolded and told So Dramatic! that the video was only online for ten minutes before Ellie realised and deleted it. Still, ten minutes is more than enough time for something to go viral, and once it’s on the internet, it lives there forever!
“She was meant to send to someone directly but accidentally posted to her story on Instagram and Facebook,” the source said. “She was obviously having too much fun and didn’t realise.”
The source also spilled that Nadia’s ex Jimmy got his hands on the incriminating footage after copies began to circulate of the now-infamous clip.
“It spread like wildfire, even Jimmy got his hands on it… 10 pm on Thursday night,” they said of the video which was leaked to the media the following morning. “He was actually one of the first to have it.”
Some people were quick to jump to the influencer’s defence, suggesting that it could be an old video, to not just assume things, yada yada yada — but Nadia and Ellie were photographed earlier that day, not only buying booze and supplies for their lil’ illegal lockdown gathering but in the same outfits that they also appeared in the video.
Ellie was quick to shut down her Instagram account after sharing the footage, soon after it began doing the rounds on mainstream media and subsequently breaking the internet, but the damage might already be done as one So Dramatic! source reveals her friendship with Nadia is on the rocks in the wake of the scandal!
“Nadia and Ellie are currently not talking,” the source revealed in episode 102 of So Dramatic! With Megan Pustetto. “Nadia is so upset by what Ellie did so she has just distanced herself from her for now.”
The source did add that it’s likely that the socialites will be able to repair their friendship, but “it will obviously take time” due to Nadia feeling “extremely betrayed”.
Nearly a day after the clip went viral and following the WAG turning comments off on her social media, Nadia broke her silence on Friday night by posting an apology to her Instagram account, in which she hoped she can “earn [our] forgiveness”.
“I have let you all down by my actions. I take full responsibility and I am committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure I make better choices in future,” the post read. “To my family and friends, my business partners and the public health workers trying to keep us all safe, I am embarrassed and remorseful.
“I am truly and deeply sorry. I hope I can earn your forgiveness and, in time, your trust.”
As is the case with all influencers on a downward spiral, the Henne fashion label co-founder has already lost several lucrative endorsement deals, including one which she held with vitamin titan JS Health.
The brand posted an announcement to Instagram that detailed the business’ decision to part ways with Nadia, stating that they are a “health brand who is very serious about aligning with individuals who share the same values” and “do not tolerate illicit behaviour”.
The Drama Army was also quick to investigate the brands who align with the disgraced influencer, with one So Dramatic! sleuth receiving a statement from Hairhouse Australia which detailed that the company has “removed all affiliation with Nadia as an ambassador”.
Victorian Premier Dan Andrews also reprimanded Nadia and co for their actions in a press conference over the weekend, telling reporters that the incident should be treated no differently to the infamous engagement party that happened in Caulfield in August.
“This video is no different to the engagement party, as it’s out there in the public domain and it would be my anticipation that every single person at that house will be getting a $5500 fine… regardless of whether you used to be related to a footballer,” Dan said.
Nadia and three other women have since been fined $5,452 each for their involvement in the lockdown-breaching event.
However, all might not be lost in this sh*tshow the WAG has found herself in — Nadia may hopefully be able to turn the scandal into a positive and land herself a crockery ambassador contract with Kmart after all the attention she generated for the dollar-fifty plate she *allegedly* snorted forbidden white powder from!
If you are in need of resources to help yourself or someone you know with issues relating to drug use, please visit Reach Out Australia or the Alcohol and Drug Foundation for help, information and resources.
Get the tea first! Follow So Dramatic! on Instagram, and tune in on Mondays to get your reality tea fix with the So Dramatic! podcast with Megan Pustetto.
