An Australian model has come under fire after sharing images of herself and two friends in blackface for a ‘sports stars’ party.
Sophie Applegarth, who is signed with Chic Management, shared pictures to her Instagram account on Friday of herself and a friend dressed as Venus and Serena Williams.
While both dressed in black crop tops, white bottoms and tennis shoes, the girls both coated their skin in brown paint, to mimic the dark skin of the sisters.
Australian model Sophie Applegarth (pictured right) has caused outrage after sharing images of herself in blackface at a party
Ms Applegarth (right) did not seem bothered by the controversy, and jumped into a photo mocking a social media user who called her friend racist (Ms Applegarth seen pulling a face, left)
Ms Applegarth and her friend Julia Iovenitti dressed as tennis superstars Venus and Serena Williams, using dark brown paint to mimic the dark skin of the sisters
Ms Applegarth shared an image of herself and friend Julia Iovenitti at the sports stars themed party to her Instagram story, captioning it ‘Serena and Venus’.
She shared another, taken with a group of men who did not use blackface as part of their costumes, captioned: ‘sports starz’.
Ms Iovenitti also shared an image, using the caption ‘sports stars on a bender’.
Copy of a conversation between one social media user and Ms Iovenitti, obtained by Daily Mail Australia, shows the woman is not remorseful for her actions, despite angry backlash online.
Their friend, Sally Coburn, dressed as basketballer Kobe Bryant, also using dark brown paint to reflect the sports star’s dark skin
The women were joined by others at the party, who did not use blackface as part of their costume
After being called racist, Ms Iovenitti responded: ‘There’s nothing racist about backing ur favourite sport stars mate’.
She then advised the person messaging her to ‘go to school and learn what racism really means’.
During the heated conversation, Ms Iovenitti sent through a photograph of herself holding up her middle finger, as Ms Applegarth scowled in the background.
One furious social media user called out the women for their actions, but Ms Iovenitti doubled down on her decision
Sally Coburn, another friend of Ms Applegarths, also chose to paint her skin dark brown to reflect that she had dressed as basketballer Kobe Bryant.
Chic Model Management have since removed Ms Applegarth’s modelling page on their website, but have not responded to multiple requests for comment.
Ms Applegarth has also been contacted for comment.
Ms Applegarth was signed with Chic Management. While the agency has not responded to requests for comment, the woman’s modelling page has been removed from the website