Abbie Chatfield’s meltdown was years in the making… there’s a reason why so many people in the industry are saying the same thing: AMANDA GOFF

There’s a Chinese proverb that I live by: ‘Sit by the river long enough and the bodies of your enemies will float by.’

Which basically means, when someone does you wrong, do nothing, because karma is patiently waiting in the wings. Maybe not today, or tomorrow, but one day, I assure you, without you lifting a finger, justice will come knocking.

That saying came to mind last weekend when outspoken podcaster Abbie Chatfield had a full-on meltdown after feminist author Clementine Ford labelled her, among other things, a ‘f***ing fake’.

While her list of grievances with Abbie seems never-ending, Ford is particularly enraged by an interview the former Bachelor contestant did with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during the election campaign for her podcast It’s a Lot.

Ford, a pro-Palestine advocate, called it ‘public relations’ for a world leader she believes has failed to stand up to Israel.

The response from Abbie was swift and very dramatic. Tears flowed, her voice was shaking with despair. She begged Clementine, whom she claims to have met twice, to stop the ‘dehumanising’ attacks that were ‘destroying’ her mental health.

‘Stop lying about my character and intentions,’ she sobbed on Instagram last weekend. On Monday, she said she was ‘depressed and dissociated’ by the feud.

Cry me a river.

Abbie Chatfield spent much of the weekend ‘depressed and dissociated’ after being criticised by Clementine Ford. ‘Cry me a river,’ writes Mail+ columnist Amanda Goff

There’s a reason why so many people – including those from the same industries as Abbie (pictured), like media, PR and influencing – texted me the same thing at the weekend: ‘Finally’

It reminded me of a toddler having a tantrum in Toys ‘R’ Us because you won’t let them have yet another Troll doll.

Were the tears real? Yes, I believe they were. Abbie is a genius when it comes to marketing, but she’s no actress. So, before I go on, let me say one thing, Abbie, if you’re reading this: Get help. This isn’t a normal way to respond to a person criticising you on the internet.

Now, look, I don’t relish in other people suffering. Really, I don’t. If Abbie’s mental health is truly at breaking point, then I think she should log off, go home to her mother or boyfriend, hand over her mobile phone and stay offline until this storm passes.

But there’s a reason why so many people – including those who work in the same industries as Abbie, like media, fashion, PR and influencing – texted me the same thing at various points over the weekend.

Finally. 

Because here’s the thing, Abbie, while I’m trying really hard to have compassion and empathy for you, the truth is this: If you give it out, you’ve got to take it back.

For those of us who have found ourselves the targets of Abbie’s stinging critiques, we know all too well that sinking feeling of knowing you are in her sights.

For the next 24 hours, you’re going to be subjected to relentless trolling from her ‘army’ of fans who consider her the infallible voice of modern feminism – a modern-day Joan of Arc, if you will.

Tears flowed, her voice shook with despair. She begged Clementine, whom she claims to have met twice, to stop the ‘dehumanising’ attacks that were ‘destroying’ her mental health 

I’ve been there. It happened to me. I’m no shrinking violet, but it I felt f****** awful. I’ve never forgotten it.

I had dared to disagree with her. Not only did she berate me to her 500,000-plus followers, but she trawled through her DMs to find the one message I had sent her years ago, a personal one about me and my family, that she had no qualms about posting publicly. 

So when I saw her breaking down in tears, accusing Clementine of going too far this time, a part of me thought it was absolutely bloody glorious.

There is a long list of people in the public eye who have similar stories about Abbie, of feeling slammed and shamed for having crossed her. Most stayed silent, but I bet that right now they’re quietly relishing what’s happened.

There’s fellow podcaster Brittany Hockley who was dragged through the mud for casually mentioning Abbie’s dating life – which Abbie overshares about constantly – on The Kyle and Jackie O Show.

And Married At First Sight star Domenica Calarco, who ended up in a mental health retreat after being labelled a ‘fake feminist‘.

And comedian Nikki Osborne, who was monstered by Abbie’s fans for making an off-colour joke comparing Covid vaccine mandates to the Hollywood casting couch.

Abbie went for the jugular, suggesting Nikki was making light of rape. Nikki’s response to the onslaught was painfully sad. ‘Dear Mob, You’ve been misinformed. Your quarrel is not with me. I’m on your team. Warmest, Casting couch survivor.’

Speaking of Covid, Abbie really got her claws out during the pandemic, going after Home and Away actress Sam Frost and the singer Tones and I.

Neither woman is beyond criticism, of course. But I felt neither deserved it.

Clementine Ford is not everyone’s cup of tea, but I know plenty are cheering her on today 

Abbie has denied being a bully and says her full-throated criticism of other public figures is fair and reasonable. 

OK, fine. But she can’t control how people feel when they find themselves on the receiving end of her rants.

And that’s why there is so little sympathy for her this week. Clementine Ford is certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, but I know plenty are cheering her on today. 

Thank you. Finally someone punched back.

Abbie, you have built a very successful brand on calling people out on the internet for years. Now it’s your turn.

And you won’t find a shoulder to cry on among the women you ‘held to account’ along the way. I can assure you they are sitting on the riverbank watching. With satisfaction.

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