Former footy WAG Nadia Bartel is at the center of a media firestorm after footage leaked of her violating Melbourne’s lockdown restrictions and snorting what appeared to be cocaine.
And the woman who filmed the scandalous scenes is none other than Nadia’s longtime best friend and business partner Ellie Pearson.
Just like Nadia, Ellie is a former WAG herself, having previously dated ex AFL star Josh Hunt.
Who’s that girl? Nadia Bartel’s best friend and business partner Ellie Pearson (pictured) accidentally posted footage of the former WAG ‘snorting cocaine’ on Instagram
The pair had a messy breakup in 2011 after five years together, which became a small scandal in the Melbourne papers at the time, according to the Herald Sun.
After they split, Ellie sent an email out to approximately 50 of her friends and partners of Geelong players trashing Josh and his new girlfriend.
In the email, Ellie complained about being accused of ‘having trust issues’ and wrote, ‘feel free to spit on him’.
Since her relationship drama, Ellie has bounced back as a successful businesswoman.
Besties! Nadia often let Ellie tag along as her plus one to glamorous red carpet events
Joined at the hip: Nadia pouts for the camera as Ellie scrolls through her iPhone
She now runs the spray tanning company Spray Aus alongside WAG Emily McKay, which they founded in 2014.
The business boasts several studios across Melbourne, as well as a home product range.
Spray Aus is best known for bronzing the city’s biggest WAGs, including Nadia and Bec Judd.
Supportive: A loyal and devoted Ellie support best friend Nadia during her last pregnancy
According to her Linkedin, Ellie also works as an executive assistant to a CEO at a major media company in Melbourne.
While it’s unclear exactly how long Ellie and Nadia have been friends, throwback photos seem to indicate that they’ve known each other since they were teenagers.
More recently, Nadia has referred to Ellie as her ‘bestie’ in social media posts.
Nadia was filmed by Ellie breaking Melbourne’s strict lockdown and snorting what is believed to be cocaine at a party on Thursday night.
The former footy WAG broke her silence with a public apology several hours after the video was accidently uploaded to Instagram by Ellie.
Flashback: While it’s unclear exactly how long Ellie and Nadia have been friends, throwback photos seem to indicate that they’ve known each other since they were teenagers
MySpace days! A much younger Nadia and Ellie are pictured together in this old photo
‘Hi everyone, I have let you all down by my actions. I take full responsibility and I am committed to taking all necessary steps to ensure I make better choices in future,’ she wrote in an Instagram post on Friday evening.
‘To my family and friends, my business partners and the public health workers trying to keep us all safe, I am embarrassed and remorseful.
‘I am truly and deeply sorry. I hope I can earn your forgiveness and, in time, your trust.’
Oopsie! Nadia was filmed by Ellie breaking Melbourne’s strict lockdown and snorting what is believed to be cocaine at a party on Thursday night
Sorry: The former footy WAG broke her silence with a public apology several hours after the video was accidently uploaded to Instagram by Ellie
Footage of Bartel snorting white powder off a plate at the gathering started going viral on Friday morning.
In the video, Bartel snorts the powder off a $1.50 Kmart plate being held by a dark-haired woman, as a third woman displays a two-fingered hand gesture in the background.
Private and public gatherings are not permitted in Melbourne, where Bartel lives, under Victoria’s Covid restrictions.
Nadia’s apology – which includes an appeal for forgiveness from health workers – appears to confirm the gathering was held on Thursday evening.
‘I am truly and deeply sorry,’ Nadia wrote. ‘I hope I can earn your forgiveness and, in time, your trust’