Nadia Bartel’s name has been splashed across headlines for days after a video of her snorting white powder at an illegal gathering in Melbourne last Thursday went viral.
And this week, it was pointed out that the gathering in question may have taken place in celebration of Nadia, 36, finalising her divorce from AFL star Jimmy Bartel, after the pair split in 2019 following five years of marriage.
‘She’s just gone through a highly-publicised divorce – it was finalised last week, I’m pretty sure on the day that this video was taken,’ Shameless podcast host Michelle Andrews said on Thursday when speaking of scandal.
Twist: This week, it was pointed out that Nadia Bartel’s illegal gathering may have taken place in celebration of the 36-year-old finalising her divorce from AFL star Jimmy Bartel, after the pair split in 2019 following five years of marriage
On August 27, The Herald Sun reported that: ‘The Bartels divorce is said to have been finalised just this week.’
After finalising details with their lawyers, the former couple would have to sign the papers to make things official – which could have been the day Nadia chose to celebrate with her friends on September 2.
It’s certainly not unusual for people to celebrate the end of their marriage – yet Nadia copped such backlash due to the fact she broke Melbourne’s strict lockdown and was pictured snorting white powder off a $1.50 Kmart plate.
Daily Mail Australia have contacted a representative for Nadia for further comment.
Video: Nadia (pictured) was filmed breaking Melbourne’s strict lockdown and snorting white powder at an illegal gathering on Thursday evening
The Bartels, once considered one of the strongest AFL marriages, announced their separation in August 2019, but are believed to have split two months prior.
The former couple, who married in 2014, share custody of two sons, Aston, five, and Henley, three.
In an interview with Stellar in 2020, Nadia said she ‘never thought this would happen’ when asked about her split.
Nadia had been filmed snorting white powder at an illegal gathering in Melbourne last Thursday evening.
Victorians living under lockdown are prohibited from holding private gatherings.
Over: The Bartels, once considered one of the strongest AFL marriages, announced their separation in August 2019, but are believed to have split two months prior
Heartache: In an interview with Stellar in 2020, Nadia said she ‘never thought this would happen’ when asked about her split
The mother of two issued a public apology on Friday afternoon, a day after the video was accidently uploaded to Instagram by her friend Ellie Pearson.
The footage was published for about 10 minutes before being deleted.
‘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.
‘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.’
Consequences: Nadia and three other women have been issued with Penalty Infringement Notices following the illegal gathering on Thursday
Nadia’s apology – which included an appeal for forgiveness from health workers – seemingly confirmed the gathering was held on Thursday evening.
Daily Mail Australia understands the video was posted to Instagram by Ellie entirely by mistake, but that another member of Nadia’s social group quickly downloaded it and sent the damning footage to media outlets in an attempt to ‘destroy’ the WAG.
‘The video was deliberately leaked by someone within Nadia’s elite Melbourne social circle,’ a source said.
‘This is someone who for all intents and purposes seems to be Nadia’s friend on Instagram but they are secretly jealous.
‘They pounced on it and immediately sent it to people they knew could get it to the press quickly.
‘This was part of a campaign of revenge… someone wants to shut her down.’
Nadia and three other women were issued with Penalty Infringement Notices following the illegal gathering on Thursday.
The mother of two issued a public apology on Friday afternoon, a day after the video was accidently uploaded to Instagram by her friend Ellie Pearson
Each woman was fined $5,452, but a fifth woman was not charged because she was ‘complying with employment restrictions’, Victoria Police said on Monday.
‘Four women have been issued with Penalty Infringement Notices following a gathering at a Richmond address in contravention of the Chief Health Officer’s restrictions,’ a Victoria Police spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia.
‘The incident occurred at a private address on Thursday, September 2, at 4pm.
‘A 36-year-old Windsor woman, a 32-year-old Richmond woman, a 33-year-old Pascoe Vale woman and a 35-year-old Strathmore woman have all be issued with a penalty infringement notice for failing to comply with requirements in relation to a private or public gathering.
‘The monetary penalty for each Penalty Infringement Notice is $5452.
‘A fifth woman at the address was not charged as she was complying with CHO employment restrictions.’
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford broke the news on Seven’s The Morning Show on Thursday that Nadia and the three women would not be charged with drug offences, confirming police were taking no further action.
Report: Entertainment reporter Peter Ford broke the news on Seven’s The Morning Show on Thursday that Nadia and the three women would not be charged with drug offences, confirming police were taking no further action