Latest news with #EllaMayDing
News.com.au
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Ella May Ding responds to pregnancy announcement backlash
A former reality television star has responded to backlash after she turned her pregnancy announcement into a sponsored post. 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.
Daily Mail
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
MAFS star Ella May Ding addresses 'scam' rumours on surprising career move: 'There will always be trolls'
Contains affiliated content. Daily Mail Australia will earn a commission if you click on a link within this article. Click here for more information. Married at First Sight fan favourite Ella May Ding has spoken out against detractors who accused her of 'scamming' fans. The former reality star turned entrepreneur issued a statement on Friday defending her shopping discount membership club against the allegations. Ella May Ding Club is a monthly membership that offers 'exclusive' discounts on fashion, beauty, wellness and lifestyle brands including Stax, Elite Eleven, Oscar Frank and more. But many are drawn to the extravagant monthly giveaways, which have included a $7,000 Louis Vuitton handbag, an eight night luxury Bali holiday, and multiple cars, from a Mazda to a Mercedes. This month's prize is the club's most extravagant yet, offering the winner the choice between a Range Rover Evoque worth $88,500 or $70,000 in cash. The winner will be drawn on May 12. The eye-popping giveaways have piqued fans' interest and attracted criticism in equal measure, with many on social media questioning the legitimacy of the competitions and even the legality of the business venture. Ella May hit back against the claims, stating: 'There will always be trolls and misinformation — especially when women are building something bold and different. 'But here's the truth: our winners are real, our giveaways are licensed and we operate with all the required permits, and our community is growing because we deliver value and transparency. 'The only thing fake here are the rumours.' A Tiktok account called out the 2022 season MAFS star for 'flooding' social media with ads for the membership club and also questioning whether the model of Range Rover being promoted as the prize was the genuine prize vehicle, given it was a 2024 model that was used in video content promoting the competition. However a disclaimer now appears on the business' website stating: 'The vehicle used in adverting [sic] is for content purposes only. The brand-new Range Rover Evoque is currently being delivered to Land Rover Brighton and will be awarded to the giveaway winner as per our official terms & conditions. 'The Range Rover Evoque P250 Dynamic SE AWD Auto (26MY) is a 2026 model year Range Rover Evoque. 26MY – '26 Model Year,' meaning the vehicle belongs to the 2026 model year.' Ella May's former friend, podcast co-host and MAFS co-star Domenica Calarco weighed in, writing on TikTok she had to 'constantly block' the ads, before adding: 'Let's just say she's scammed me. I'm not ready to talk about it yet, but when I do this will all make sense.' Subsequent Tiktok videos probe further, questioning the motives behind why the business has been registered in NSW, rather than Victoria, where the business operates from. The giveaways are registered in NSW not as a lottery, but a Trade Promotion, for which entry fees cannot be charged. Discount Club Members are allocated entries to the giveaways as part of their monthly membership, or individuals have the option to purchase a one-off 'package' that grants them temporary access to the membership that includes 'free' entries into the giveaway. There are tiered package options, offering longer membership access and more giveaway entries plus other benefits, from the 'Chance' package, which grants purchasers a one-week access to the discount club and 15 entries for a one-off payment of $7.88, all the way up to the 'Fate' package, which grants two years membership to the discount club, 2000 giveaway entries, plus access to exclusive events and product releases. The club, which launched in 2024, has grown to over 80,000 members and an Instagram following of more than 16,000. The website states that it has handed out more than $200,000 in prizes since its inception, and the brand's social media appears to show photos and videos of past 'winners'. The shopping platform has over 50 brand partners offering up to 30 per cent discounts, offers, invitations to exclusive events and other 'perks'. Membership to the club, which starts from $8.88 per month, includes 25 'free' monthly entries into every active giveaway. Ella May calls the business venture 'a trusted, female-first club built around value, confidence and community. 'This isn't your typical influencer pivot. Ella has taken her platform and turned it into something that genuinely benefits her audience — combining real savings, exclusive perks and a growing sisterhood of women shopping smarter and winning bigger.'
