Home

Georgia Love gains 11k Instagram followers after being pulled from on-air role over post

Evin Priest and Erin LyonsNCA NewsWire
Georgia Love has gained Instagram followers since a post that landed her in hot water.
Camera IconGeorgia Love has gained Instagram followers since a post that landed her in hot water. Credit: Supplied

Georgia Love has gained thousands of followers on Instagram since being pulled from her on-air role as a Channel 7 reporter, due to backlash over a social media post.

The former Bachelorette posted a video to Instagram on Monday last week featuring a cat sitting inside an Asian restaurant. Accompanying the video was the caption: “Shop attendant or lunch?”

The criticism came in thick and fast, with key figures accusing her of casual racism.

Ms Love deleted the video about an hour later but the damage had been done.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

On Friday, it was revealed Ms Love was moved to the production desk at Channel 7 and was “devastated” and “deeply sorry” for the post. She was also dumped from her role as an ambassador for Chadstone Shopping Centre.

The post was on Ms Love’s Instagram account. supplied Instagram
Camera IconThe post was on Ms Love’s Instagram account. supplied Instagram Credit: Supplied

However on the same day, Ms Love gained 11,723 followers. She has a total of 243,000 followers and her most recent post attracted almost 16,000 likes.

On Friday, the Seven Network issued a statement saying: “We have addressed this matter internally and disciplinary action has been taken. Seven does not condone this inappropriate conduct and all of our staff have the right to work in a safe, nurturing workplace free from prejudice”.

She was counselled by the network and issued an apology to her colleagues in an email sent to staff.

Chadstone Shopping Centre also issued a statement on Friday saying the organisation was “disappointed”.

“We were disappointed by a social media post this week by one of our friends of the Chadstone brand and, as a result, we issued notice to end our contract with Georgia,” the statement read.

“We always support diversity and welcome a range of customers and retailers every day, without prejudice or discrimination, as we work to ensure our centre is a safe and inclusive place for our community to come together.”

Ms Love apologised shortly after posting the video.

She wrote: “Earlier I posted a video of a cat in a restaurant window.

“I meant for this to be a joke about an animal being in a restaurant at lunch service time.

“I meant absolutely no insinuation about the type of animal nor the type of restaurant, but I see that my post did not come across like that and was offensive.

“I sincerely apologise for the oversight and offence I have caused.”

She also thanked those who called her out and promised to do better.

Originally published as Georgia Love gains 11k Instagram followers after being pulled from on-air role over post

Get the latest news from thewest.com.au in your inbox.

Sign up for our emails