Bianca Coster: ‘I constantly have to explain myself’
In a TikTok video, Bianca shared that she has taken a significant financial knock and is battling reputational damage because of the association.
“Why couldn’t he use another picture? Why should I constantly shift and change my life to accommodate this Chris Excel person?
“He could have used a plant, but he decided to use my face, knowing full well the implications.”
Bianca was responding to a follower who asked her why she is using the same photo as the Chris Excel account on her TikTok content, suggesting that she enjoys the situation.
Bianca said the matter has not only affected her financially, but also impacted her personal relationships.
“When I say I’ve taken a hit financially, I mean it. In corporate spaces, in my work as an influencer — I constantly have to explain myself. Even in personal relationships, people will say, ‘You look familiar,’ or ask, ‘Are you that girl from Twitter?’ This thing is following me. I can’t get away from it,” she added.
Meanwhile, the Chris Excel X account has altered its display picture, making it appear slightly different from the original photo of Bianca.
According to the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA), using someone’s image on social media without consent may violate their privacy rights, as POPIA recognises a person’s image as personal information.
The Act emphasises that while pictures have more flexibility in public spaces, consent is still necessary in private settings or for business purposes, adding that if someone has made their information public, or it forms part of a public record, some exemptions may apply.
