Endorsement deals, follower count and a damaged reputation: The public battle ahead for Nadia Bartel
Could the shocking video of Nadia Bartel snorting white powder jeopardise her entire ‘brand’, with lost endorsements, ambassadorships and more?
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Mention the term AFL WAG and it’s always Nadia Bartel and Bec Judd who spring to mind.
Over the course of her relationship with Geelong footballer Jimmy Bartel, Nadia steadily built up her brand. She started a blog, businesses, took on endorsements and ambassadorships and of course there was the Brownlow.
Each year on the red carpet at footy’s night of nights the talk centred on what she was wearing.
The Bartels led a seemingly picture perfect life with their two sons Aston, 5, and Henley, 2. They wed on the Bellarine Peninsula in 2014 which Nadia described as “the most magical day of my entire life”, with her new husband, “the man of my dreams”.
Their romance started long ago when a young Nadia Coppolino met Jimmy at the 2008 F1 Grand Prix and they always looked happy and elegant.
In 2019 the bubble burst when Nadia revealed her heartbreak after revelations she found Jimmy was seeing UK-based Melbourne girl Lauren Mand.
The marriage ended after five years with Nadia moving on through the support of family and friends.
She told the Herald Sun at the time: “It’s been a very difficult month for me and the boys. Although I’m heartbroken, I don’t want to comment specifically on what’s been reported about Jim’s trip to the UK as I don’t think that is in anyone’s interests. My single focus now is to continue to protect, care and provide for my two beautiful boys as this is a personal matter. I am so thankful for my very supportive family and friends.”
Friends of the pair confirmed Nadia found out about Jimmy’s long-term relationship via text messages and the news came to light after they — in true modern style — unfollowed each other on Instagram.
The Bartels who were part of the social scene A-list were suddenly making headlines for all the wrong reasons.
He was once voted the AFL’s sexiest player in the Herald Sun footy fans survey and her green Brownlow dress was voted most popular on the Herald Sun website.
Triple-premiership player Jimmy, 37, played 305 games for Geelong in a storied career spanning 14 years, winning the Brownlow Medal in 2007 and the Norm Smith Medal in 2011. He was an All-Australian in 2007 and 2008.
He retired from playing at the end of 2016 and turned respected AFL match commentator on TV and radio, and also with a position on the GWS Giants’ board.
She set about rebuilding in 2019, focusing on her sons and launching her clothing label Henne with her sister Michelle Ring.
That year she worked for Channel 7 at the Brownlow and again owned the spotlight in a stunning J’Aton gown.
Ring delighted in her sister’s appearance with a post of a meme that referenced her “revenge body”.
Nadia also laid bare her struggles while appearing on Channel 7’s The All new Monty: Ladies’ Night to raise awareness for breast cancer.
Last year she was the Melbourne Cup Carnival ambassador and has always said she is selective in the brands she works with, collaborating only with those she knows and trusts.
She also is proud of her Spray Aus business with friends Emily McKay, Ellie Pearson and Judd.
Nadia has been widely admired for the dignified way she has moved on, even keeping quiet a brief romance late last year with Nathan Brodie.
Jimmy hasn’t spoken publicly about their separation since 2019.
Back then he said: “It’s not great, but I am probably not going to provide any commentary on it. I know I am in the public eye and people are interested, but it is a private matter and I ask for a bit of respect because obviously Nadia and the boys (are) involved.
“I still enjoy coming to work and I love working with everybody in football. I love the game so I can’t see why I wouldn’t keep showing up for work.”
It’s believed their divorce has recently been finalised with Jimmy also said to be single after breaking up with Mand.
While that plays out privately it seems there’s another public battle ahead for Nadia.
Originally published as Endorsement deals, follower count and a damaged reputation: The public battle ahead for Nadia Bartel
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