Gabby Epstein’s fans turn on her as the Australian model is slammed for bizarre post about a park bench: ‘This country is in shambles’
Gabby Epstein came under fire on Saturday when she shared an Instagram post about the country being “in ruins” because of a park bench.
The Australian model, 30, posted an image to her Stories of a ‘happy to chat bench’ she found on the Gold Coast that encourages people to sit and chat with strangers.
Followers quickly turned on Gabby when she hit the couch sign, with many flooding her inbox with messages telling her to ‘grow up’.
The benches have been installed across Australia as part of a British-born initiative to combat loneliness in the community.
Each is called a “happy to chat bench” and has signs that say, “Sit here if you don’t mind someone stopping to say hello.”
Gabby took a photo of someone she discovered in Queensland and said: “I would literally throw up on someone if he sat down next to me on a bench and started talking.”
Gabby Epstein, 30, (pictured) came under fire on Saturday when she shared an Instagram post about the country being ‘in ruins’ over a park bench
“This country is in ruins.”
Hours after sharing the photo, which Gabby later claimed was “just a joke,” the model shared another photo of her inbox full of people punching her couch.
‘How is it possible that this country is in ruins? Then don’t sit on the chair,” read one message from an angry fan.
“Children are starving and having their legs shot off, and this is your biggest complaint? Grow the fuck up.”
Someone else messaged her: ‘QLD’s views on abortion, celebrating genocide on the 26th, the current economy and the possibility of Peter Dutton becoming our next Prime Minister.
“But no, this bank has left the country in ruins.”
Others added: ‘What’s wrong with you?’ and: ‘Then don’t sit there.’
Gabby shared screenshots of these posts and hit back at her 3.9 million followers.
The Australian model posted an image to her stories of a ‘happy to chat bench’ she found on the Gold Coast that encourages people to sit and chat with strangers
Followers quickly turned on Gabby when she hit the couch sign, with many flooding her inbox with messages telling her to ‘grow up’
Hours after sharing the photo, which Gabby later claimed was “just a joke,” the model shared photos of her inbox full of people punching her couch.
“Of all the things I’ve posted, THIS is what you’ll be most angry about? May I suggest touching some grass?’ she said.
In another screenshot, she wrote, “Oh dear mother of Mary. Am I really crazy or do people not understand that this is a joke?’
Gabby told me later The Daily Telegraph on Sunday that the post she made about the bank was “just a joke” and she “had no idea it would cause such a strong reaction.”
“If such a simple photo can trigger people so much, maybe it’s a sign that we all need to take a step back and not take things so seriously,” she said.
“By calling the country ‘a mess’ I was simply being ironic, not launching a political crusade.”
She added, “Let’s save our energy for more important issues.”