How snorting a line of white powder off a $1.50 Kmart plate has made Nadia Bartel more popular

Nadia Bartel has learned first-hand that all publicity is good publicity. 

The ex-WAG’s world came crashing down after a leaked video showed the 36-year-old snorting a white substance from a $1.50 Kmart plate at a lockdown-breaking party in Melbourne on September 3. 

But despite losing a string of brand deals and admitting she was ’embarrassed’ by the scandal, Nadia’s social media star power has skyrocketed in the weeks since.

Within a week of the scandal breaking, Nadia’s Instagram follower count had spiked by 6,000 – and that number jumped to 11,000 by September 11.

By the end of the month she had earned a total of 128,720 new followers.  

The socialite now boasts an impressive 560,000 followers on Instagram and ranks within the top 300 influencers in Australia, sitting at 294.

Public interest: Despite losing brand deals and being publicly humiliated, Nadia’s social media star power has substantially risen in the weeks following her snorting scandal

Social media star: The socialite currently boasts an impressive 560,000 followers in total on Instagram and ranks within the top 300 influencers in Australia, sitting at 294, according to Hype Auditor 

The rise in followers is likely attributed to Nadia’s new-found notoriety following her white powder scandal.  

A well-known socialite in Melbourne thanks to her AFL WAG status, she was talked about all around Australia thanks to memes that were made about the scandal. 

Nadia has meanwhile been making the most of the heightened public interest surrounding her private life, often using her Instagram page to spruik products form her fashion brand Henne. 

Celebrity publicist Max Markson previously predicted Nadia’s snorting saga would actually help her become ‘bigger and better’ in the long run.

Popular: The socialite currently boasts an impressive 560,000 followers in total on Instagram and ranks within the top 300 influencers in Australia, sitting at 294, according to Hype Auditor 

Publicity guru speaks out:  Indeed, celebrity publicist Max Markson previously predicted that Nadia’s snorting saga would actually help her become ‘bigger and better’ in the long run

‘She’s got over half a million followers, and she’ll get more followers as a result of this and more attention,’ Mr Markson told Daily Mail Australia in September. 

‘Think about how Schapelle Corby has been on two reality TV shows for doing a far worse thing years ago. Nadia Bartel has got nothing to worry about. 

‘She’s apologised and she’ll move forward. She won’t have any reputational damage long-term.’ 

Caught on camera: The video showed Nadia snorting a line of white powder off a $1.50 Kmart plate. She and three other women were each fined $5,452 after footage of the party was accidentally posted on Instagram by Ellie

When asked if he had any advice for Bartel, he added: ‘She needs to ignore the trolls, ignore what anybody says. Enjoy life, go forth and you’ll be more successful than you’ve ever been in the past.’   

Mr Markson said he believes her sponsors will return. 

‘If not all of them, then there will be fresh ones that come along,’ he said. ‘She’s an attractive woman with an enormous following – she’ll come out the other side bigger and better, believe me.’

Ditched: Following the white powder scandal JSHealth – a company who sell vitamins and supplements – dumped Nadia as an ambassador after she had previously endorsed the brand on her social media

The leaked video scandal erupted on September 3, when she was caught breaking Melbourne’s Covid lockdown to attend the illegal party with several friends. 

It later emerged that her friend and business partner Ellie Pearson posted the footage online by mistake.

She wasn’t charged with drug offences, but she was dropped by major sponsors – including Hairhouse Australia and vitamin company JS Health.  

Apology: Just 24 hours after the video leaked, Nadia issued a grovelling apology on Instagram. ‘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

Just 24 hours after the video leaked, Nadia issued a grovelling apology on Instagram. 

‘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 at the time. 

‘To my family and friends, my business partners and the public health workers trying to keep us all safe, I am embarrassed and remorseful.

Sorry: ‘I am truly and deeply sorry. I hope I can earn your forgiveness and, in time, your trust,’ she wrote 

‘I am truly and deeply sorry. I hope I can earn your forgiveness and, in time, your trust.’   

Bartel is a mother of two and entrepreneur who runs the fake-tan company Spray Aus and clothing label Henne.

She is the ex-wife of retired AFL star Jimmy Bartel, a Brownlow Medallist who spent his career with the Geelong Cats. 

The couple split in 2019 after five years of marriage.

Former relationship: Nadia is the ex-wife of retired AFL star Jimmy Bartel, a Brownlow Medallist who spent his career with the Geelong Cats