Ella May Ding responds to pregnancy announcement backlash
Ella May Ding, who appeared on season 9 of the hit dating show 'Married At First Sight' in 2022, took to Instagram last week to reveal she was expecting her first child with husband Guy Palermo.
The images featured the couple wearing all white, and cradling the 30-year-old's tummy with a Clearblue pregnancy test on display — and a note confirming it was an ad.
But what should have been a heartfelt moment between the reality star and her fans turned into a debate as some argued it felt 'off' to cash in on a pregnancy announcement.
But, more than a week after the announcement, Ms Ding has responded to the backlash.
'It was a no-brainer. When the opportunity came to me, I was like, 'Well, Clearblue literally told me I'm pregnant'. Like, I don't really know how much more you can align with a brand,' she told Yahoo Lifestyle.
'The response I was like, 'That's a bit weird', but at the same time, it made sense to me, and that's like anything that I do, promote or talk about. If it makes sense to me and my people understand, that's all that matters. And if you got offered, you would take it!'
She added that having a baby was an expensive feat, particularly with the cost-of-living crisis.
Ms Ding posted the announcement last week, with the caption: 'Somewhere between healing and hustling, the next chapter quietly chose us. Baby Palermo you've already made our story sweeter & given us the best news of 2025 yet.'
It was signed off with: '#ad #ClearblueConfirmed. Always read the label and follow the directions for use.'
One social media user said: 'Nooo this feels off being an ad. Is this the official announcement? Congratulations either way.'
And another criticised: 'Wow making money of (sic) the baby already? How desperate are you for cash? I hope you wont be exploiting this baby for content when its born. It's a child not content.'
'I thought this was so odd,' another said.
One commented: 'Beautiful news. Just weird how it's a clearblue ad lol.'
'Making money off an unborn baby feels weird to me idk,' one social media user commented.
Another said: 'This chick will do anything for money lol.'
Ms Ding is certainly not the first influencer or celebrity to do this. Summer House star Lindsay Hubbard announced her pregnancy in a very similar way with the same brand. Fellow US stars such as Daniella Monet and Tamera Mowry have done the same.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
Sydney tradie, 22, falls at work, gets shock diagnosis
A 22-year-old tradie revealed how a fall exposed a rare form of cancer that required him to have his leg removed — and the one thing he knew he wanted to do the moment he was diagnosed. Cooper Starling, from Sydney, had a fall at work in January 2025, after suffering from constant pains in his knee for a few months. After, he went to his local GP, who suspected an issue with Mr Starling's meniscus, and the tradie was sent for some scans. The following day the then 21-year-old had a CAT scan and an ultrasound. Forty minutes later, he received a phone call to tell him he needed to come back right away, this time so doctors could perform a different scan with contrast dye to give them a clearer understanding of the issue. 'Two hours later, I was sitting in my GP's office and was told I had a rare form of bone cancer, and I'd need an urgent biopsy to make sure that's what it was,' he told He had the biopsy, confirming the cancer diagnosis, and two weeks later he was having his first round of chemotherapy. Mr Starling said his immediate reaction was, 'I am going to die'. For Australia's best lifestyle coverage — download the app direct to your phone. 'You hear a lot of negative stories about cancer, you don't hear many positive ones. It was a very scary time. I thought my whole world had come crashing down on me — but that couldn't have been further than the truth,' he said. Mr Starling revealed he suffered really bad nausea and vomiting after every meal for days after chemotherapy treatment. He said he struggled to drink water as it tasted like metal, and foods he used to love he couldn't deal with the smell of. Mr Starling also lost weight very quickly as a result of his treatment, stating it was a 'scary' time for him that impacted his mental health. Being forced to stay in hospital for long periods of time didn't help. The experience was surreal for someone who had only been in hospital once or twice before. He said one of the hardest parts of the ordeal was having to watch his partner, Tori, lie in a recliner chair next to his hospital bed. He said he had an incredible support system, but it was difficult to see the cancer impact the people that he loved. Mr Starling was eventually told that his best bet at beating the cancer was to have his leg amputated — a conversation he called his 'worst day'. But, he knew he had no choice. The surgery to remove his leg took place in April — just four months after his diagnosis. 'There aren't really words to describe it. You have an overwhelming sense of anxiety. You have no idea what your life is going to look like. There are so many things that can go wrong,' he said. He said he had no idea how he was going to feel, if and when he'd get a prosthetic, questions about whether NDIS would accept him or if his parents would have to take out bank loans to help support him, would he get an infection — which only served to compound his anxiety. 'But, when someone tells you if you don't amputate your leg, we can't 100 per cent confirm your survival, you just have to sort of get on with it. You don't really have the choice to be upset,' he said. 'And that sounds horrible — and don't get me wrong, there have been times when I cried myself to sleep. There have been times I've had panic attacks and sleepless nights. But there wasn't anything I could do so there wasn't any point being sad about it.' Since his surgery in April, Mr Starling now has a prosthetic leg and took his first steps earlier this month. He said his whole life has changed, but he is now completely independent and can dress and shower himself, as well as drive, pump his own fuel and go to the shopping centre on his own in the wheelchair. He said it was a situation where if you 'don't laugh, you'll cry' and he just wanted to focus on making every day count. 'I don't really remember my life with two legs anymore,' he said. And while the year has had some of the most cruel and punishing moments Mr Starling will likely ever face, there has been some light. From the moment he was diagnosed with cancer, he knew he didn't want anything getting in the way of letting his partner of almost two years, Tori, knowing how much he loved her. So, he proposed — and she said yes. 'I wanted her to know that being by my side wasn't for nothing, I've known since they day that I met her I wanted to marry her and I thought this was my opportunity,' he said. 'I couldn't get down on one knee like I initially planned but I have my prosthetic now so there will be plenty of dancing at the wedding. I am sure I will make up for it.' The plan is for a longer engagement, after Mr Starling finishes his chemotherapy and continues to adjust to life with a prosthetic leg. Then they will have an engagement party, travel and move out after having to move back in with his parents due to his diagnosis. Tori isn't the only support that Mr Starling has had during this incredibly tumultuous year. 'My mum and dad have been so supportive of me. They converted a downstairs bedroom when I lost my leg, because I couldn't get up the stairs,' he explained. 'Dad's ripped out shower screen doors to make sure I have access to get in and out with my wheelchair. 'My partner just has been a heaven sent. She hasn't missed a single appointment. I've never slept a night in hospital alone. 'All my friends have been so supportive. They've all come to visit me, constantly bringing me food and comfy clothes for the hospital. I've had a big support network, which has made it that little bit easier,' he said. Currently, Mr Starling is cancer free. He had a CT chest scan three weeks ago that came back all clear. Next month, and he will have his last round of chemotherapy and then hopefully it will be 'back to living his life'. Mr Starling is sharing his story to support the Chris O'Brien Lifehouse. He said the nurses and oncology team had been incredible, and he said without them he didn't think he would still be alive. He said he owed everything to Chris O'Brien Lifehouse. He and his best friend Tyson will be doing 100km, with Mr Starling in his wheelchair, for the Go the Distance campaign. So far, they have raised $10,000 and the event hasn't even begun yet.
News.com.au
5 hours ago
- News.com.au
Popular dairy-free yoghurt maker Cocobella pulls products amid milk contamination concern
A popular Australian dairy-free brand has urgently recalled several products over potential health concerns. Cocobella is recalling multiple variations of its 110g Coconut Yoghurt pouches from major supermarkets and independent grocers after detecting an undeclared milk allergen. 'They determined that there was milk contamination and they are now working with regulators to recall those products,' a spokesperson said. The recall affects Cocobella Strawberry Coconut Yoghurt and Banana Coconut Yoghurt 110g pouches with a use-by date of 12/09/2025, as well as 110g Banana Coconut Yoghurt and Mango Coconut Yoghurt pouches labelled 13/09/25. While the affected quantity is not expected to be large, the company warned that anyone with milk allergies or intolerances should not consume the products, reassuring consumers that all other items remain safe. Customers can return the recalled items to the point of purchase for a full refund. 'Cocobella is working closely with Dairy Food Safety Victoria and FSANZ to conduct this recall. All relevant retailers have been notified,' the statement read.
ABC News
6 hours ago
- ABC News
Opera about ancient king Gilgamesh crowned winner at the 2025 Art Music Awards
One of Australia's newest operas, Gilgamesh, has been crowned the biggest winner of the 2025 Art Music Awards in a ceremony held in Sydney last night. Other winners include former ABC Classic presenter and producer Stephen Adams, jazz outfit Koi Kingdom featuring saxophonist Cheryl Durongpisitkul, and performers including Sydney Chamber Opera, Opera Australia, the Australian String Quartet and Ensemble Offspring. The awards recognise the achievements of composers and performers of contemporary classical music, jazz, improvisation, electronic sound arts and experimental practices. Based on an ancient Sumerian epic, Gilgamesh tells the story of a tyrant king who learns the meaning of wisdom through friendship, love and loss during the course of the opera. Premiered in 2024, it is the first time the epic of Gilgamesh has been performed as an English language opera, with text written by well-known librettist Louis Garrick. Gilgamesh's composer, Jack Symonds, received two awards: Work of the Year: Dramatic for Gilgamesh, and the NSW State Luminary Award for his outstanding contributions to contemporary Australian opera. Gilgamesh also earned Sydney Chamber Opera, Opera Australia, the Australian String Quartet and Ensemble Offspring the award for Performance of the Year: Notated Composition. Former ABC Classic producer Stephen Adams, long-time curator of Australian music for the network, has been recognised with a National Luminary Award for his outstanding contribution and dedication to Australian music. Women composers continue to make a strong impact in the Australian art community. Anne Cawrse, Cathy Milliken and Kate Milligan won Work of the Year awards for Choral Composition, Chamber Music and Electroacoustic/Sound Art respectively. Melbourne-based Jazz musician Cheryl Durongpisitkul was part of the award-winning trio Koi Kingdom for Work of the Year: Jazz. Chloe Kim's composition, titled Music for Six Double Bassists, won Performance of the Year: Jazz/Improvised Music category. Art music visionaries, Jon Rose and Hollis Taylor, were honoured with the prestigious Richard Gill Award for Distinguished Services to Australian Music for their boundary-pushing work and sonic exploration. Rose and Taylor have frequently collaborated on innovative projects including Great Fences of Australia, which maps the acoustic qualities of 35,000 kilometres of fence lines across the Australian outback. The ceremony, organised by the Australian Music Centre and APRA AMCOS, was held at Sydney's City Recital Hall. ABC Classic Drive presenter Vanessa Hughes hosted with guest presenters Nardi Simpson and Hamed Sadeghi, and music curation by Sia Ahmad. Three Excellence Awards were given out to projects that illuminate the importance of cross-cultural collaboration and artistic practice in contemporary Australian art music. Musica Viva Australia received this year's Award for Excellence in Music Education for its Accessible Music Education Program. Finalists: Leading arts and social change organisation, Big hART, won the Award for Excellence in a Regional Area for Tjaabi: Flood Country — 2024 Regional Tour. Finalists: Multi-award winner Aviva Endean took out the Award for Excellence in Experimental Practice for her work: The Breath Becomes The Wind. Finalists: The annual Luminary Awards are presented to those who have made a sustained impact on musical communities through their leadership, artistic practice and the championing of Australian repertoire. Former ABC Classic curator of Australian music Stephen Adams was recognised with the Luminary Award: National Individual for his outstanding contribution and dedication to Australian music as a broadcaster, producer, composer and advocate. Decibel New Music received the Luminary Award: National Organisation for its program of concerts, releases, tours and publications. The following Luminary Awards were also presented to individuals and organisations who have made significant contributions to the music community in their local state or territory.
