Tully Smyth gets eggs frozen in brand collaboration with fertility clinic

By Liam On Apr 20, 2023

Big Brother star Tully Smyth has sparked backlash for taking part in a sponsored brand deal with a Melbourne fertility clinic.

The 35-year-old influencer announced to her Instagram followers on Tuesday that she had decided to freeze her eggs and that she had formed a “partnership” with Monash IVF to make it happen.

Egg freezing is a method of collecting and freezing a woman’s unfertilized eggs so that they can be used to conceive at a later date.

“I’ve done some research and I’ve heard so many glowing recommendations, so many great stories about people’s experiences with the Monash IVF team,” Tully said in a lengthy video.

Emotional music swelled in the background as Tully explained how she finally “pull the trigger” on egg freezing after years of “marinating on the decision.”

Big Brother star Tully Smyth has sparked backlash for taking part in a sponsored brand deal with a Melbourne fertility clinic

“So I reached out and luckily they agreed, and they’re really eager to work with me on my egg freezing journey,” she explained.

Tully, who is in a long-distance relationship with sports presenter Daniel Parisi, admitted she put off deciding to freeze her eggs because she was embarrassed that she had failed to conceive naturally.

She also vowed to document every step of her journey in hopes of encouraging other women to take control of their fertility.

The influencer announced to her Instagram followers on Tuesday that she had decided to freeze her eggs and that she had formed a ‘partnership’ with Monash IVF to make it happen

What is Egg Freezing?

Egg freezing is a method of collecting and freezing a woman’s unfertilized eggs so that they can be used to conceive at a later date.

As a woman ages, the quality of her eggs decreases, making it more difficult for her to conceive naturally.

However, if she has frozen eggs on hand, a woman may be able to get pregnant at a time when she would normally not be as fertile.

When the woman wants to become pregnant, the eggs can be thawed and fertilized using sperm in a lab before the embryo is implanted back into the woman.

According to the Monash IVF website, egg freezing can fetch between $7,000 and $10,000 per egg, with additional costs for storage and fertility treatments.

Tully didn’t reveal if she was paid to promote Monash IVF, or if she just got the procedure for free as part of the brand deal.

Monash IVF declined to provide details when contacted Daily Mail Australia.

“Due to patient confidentiality, we are unable to discuss the details of Tully’s treatment with us, which includes costs and payment for services,” said Fiona Allen, Chief Marketing Officer at Monash IVF.

Instagram ‘snark’ account Influencer Updates AU has since re-shared the clip, sparking a wave of angry backlash from fans speculating that Tully got her egg freezing procedure for free.

According to the Monash IVF website, retrieving a single egg can cost between $7,000 and $10,000 million, along with additional costs for storage and fertility treatments.

Some users argued that free egg freezing should be given to women in dire need, rather than a seemingly privileged influencer.

Instagram ‘snark’ account Influencer Updates AU has since re-shared the clip, sparking a wave of angry backlash from fans who speculated that Tully received her egg freezing procedure for free

‘This doesn’t suit me. I know couples who urgently need fertility treatment but can’t afford it,” one user wrote

‘This is really sad! I sympathize with the families who desperately need fertility treatment, but who cannot afford it. Seeing this would be a slap in the face,” said a second fan.

“If only the probably free service was given to a woman who can’t really afford it,” added another.

Some users argued that free egg freezing should be given to women in dire need, rather than an apparently privileged influencer

However, others spoke out in Tully’s defense by claiming the blonde might not be able to afford it either.

“No problem if Tully takes this up, it’s always been important to her, and we don’t know her financial situation or whether she could afford it or not,” someone countered.

Another user also wrote in Tully’s defense, “If someone offered me free IVF, I’d take it in a heartbeat.”

Tully is in a long-distance relationship with sports presenter Daniel Parisi (right)

“I also think the whole process should be talked about on a more public platform and I think Tully is so relatable and will do a great job of spreading the word,” they added.

Meanwhile, some users said the idea of giving media treats in exchange for publicity made them “uncomfortable,” while others called for “tighter rules” on the types of products Influencers can promote.

‘More regulation should be introduced about medical partnerships and influencers. A slap in the face to those who have struggled for years to raise a family and spend thousands on treatment,” one wrote.

Meanwhile, some users said the idea of giving media treats in exchange for publicity made them “uncomfortable”, while others called for “tighter regulation” on the types of products influencers can promote

Tully isn’t the first influencer to partner with a fertility clinic as part of a brand deal.

In 2021, Bachelor star Brittany Hockley, 35, also froze her eggs as part of a paid partnership with Sydney fertility clinic Genea.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Monash IVF for comment.

Tully isn’t the first influencer to partner with a fertility clinic as part of a brand deal. In 2021, Bachelor star Brittany Hockley, 35, (pictured) also froze her eggs as part of a paid partnership with Sydney fertility clinic Genea