Aussie model Gabby Epstein slammed for park bench post
Australian model Gabrielle Epstein has come under fire after criticising a “friendly” social initiative aimed at combating loneliness, writing “this country is in a shambles”.
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An Australian model has received a barrage of criticism on social media after a post she made taking aim at a mental health initiative she spotted on a park bench.
Gabrielle Epstein, who boasts 3.9 million followers on Instagram, took to her social media on Saturday afternoon to share a post about a ‘Happy to chat bench’ that she came across on the Gold Coast.
The benches, which have been installed by councils across Australia, are part of a social initiative that started in the UK, designed to fight loneliness in the community.
But Epstein claimed the benches were a sign “this country is in a shambles” alongside a photo of one which encouraged people to “Sit here if you don’t mind someone stopping to say hello.”
“I would literally throw up on someone if they sat next to me on a bench and started talking,” Epstein wrote above a photo of the bench.
Hours later the 30-year-old beauty queen, who has worked with brands including lingerie company Honey Birdette, shared images of her inbox flooded with messages criticising her post about the bench.
“How is this country in shambles? Don’t sit on the chair then. Kids are starving to death and getting their legs blown off and this is your biggest complaint? Grow the f*** up,” one message from Epstein’s inbox screenshot read.
Others also wrote “What’s wrong with you” and “Then don’t sit there.”
When contacted by The Daily Telegraph, Epstein claimed the post was “just a joke” and she had “no idea it would spark such a strong reaction”.
“If a simple photo like that can trigger people so much, maybe it’s a sign we all need to take a step back and not take things so seriously,” she said.
“Calling the country “in shambles” was just me being tongue-in-cheek, not launching a political crusade.”
Epstein also claimed her trolls should realise “someone having a different opinion or sense of humour is not a direct attack on you and you do not have to take it personally”.
“Let’s save our energy for more significant issues,” she said.
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Originally published as Aussie model Gabby Epstein slammed for park bench post
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