Instagram model slams 'free work' demands during coronavirus

An Aussie influencer has hit back after refusing to work for free or at heavily reduced rates during the coronavirus lockdown.

Jadé Tuncdoruk is an influencer known as Jadé Tunchy online. She boasts an impressive following of 442,000 on Instagram, regularly spruiking beauty and fashion brands as part of her online presence.

Working with luxury brands from Dior to Chanel to homegrown businesses like Bondi Boost, the social media star is in hot demand, and when coronavirus hit, wasn’t about to lower her standards or rates.

Taking to her Instagram stories on Monday, the model revealed her surprise when brands she had long-standing relationships with cut her off when she refused to work at suggested discounted rates, or in some cases for free.

“I’ve collaborated/worked with a few brands over time (a long time) who as of late have asked me to work for much, much less, or for free due to budget cuts – which I understand,” she wrote on her Instagram stories.

“However when I’ve said no – which is in my opinion completely warranted – have completely written off the relationship.”

The influencer went on to recognise the impacts of coronavirus but insisted she was within her rights to refuse to offer her services for a compliant price.

“These are brands I’ve travelled with and promoted for years who just throw the relationship away because I’ve refused to work for free,” she continued.

“I’m very surprised that these organisations are willing to throw relationships down the drain after such a long time.

“Each to their own, but personally I wouldn’t [sever] ties with someone who I ‘valued’ for years.”

It’s unclear if Jadé refused to lower her rates at all, or wouldn’t meet the brands’ low offering.

Yahoo Lifestyle has contacted Jadé for comment.

Aussie celebrities under fire for ‘entitled’ coronavirus complaints

It comes after several high-profile Aussie’s rubbed their public up the wrong way with commentary on their government-imposed isolation after returning home during the pandemic.

Lara Worthington copped major backlash in March when she took to Twitter to complain about her mum’s hotel accommodation during the forced quarantine.

The images of the so-called ‘unacceptable’ hotel conditions turned out to show a deliberately industrial-style four-star hotel to the disgust of fans who branded the criticism ‘entitled’, ‘ungrateful’ and ‘embarrassing’.

Similarly, Perth influencer Jessica Pinili took to Instagram in March to spread ‘awareness’ of her isolation plight with her almost 10k followers.

Jessica told followers her rant wasn’t ‘about gratitude’ but rather a matter of ‘human rights’

“I don’t have access to a balcony or a window that opens…” she said in a video.

“[That] means for 14 days I will not have fresh air. There are people patrolling the corridor. I can’t even walk up and down the corridor. This is worse than being a prisoner, prisoners get fresh air.”

Fans responded in a similar way to the star, calling the model a “spoilt brat” and a “princess”.

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