Exposed: The Secret World of Celebs and Staged Paparazzi Shots
SPOTTED: Celebrities Caught Red-Handed Staging Paparazzi Photos
The world of celebrity culture is replete with scandals, but none as juicy as the latest exposé revealing that some A-listers are willing to go to great lengths to get their faces in the papers. From reality TV stars to supermodels, several high-profile names have been caught staging paparazzi photos for a quick buck or to boost their public image.
Pip Edwards: The P.E. Nation Co-Founder's Paparazzi Predicament
In December 2022, Pip Edwards, co-founder of the popular activewear brand P.E. Nation, found herself in a public relations nightmare when leaked messages revealed she had arranged her own paparazzi shoots. The embarrassing Instagram DMs showed Edwards inviting a Sydney paparazzo to capture her outside her eastern suburbs office and orchestrating similar "candid" shots for two of her celebrity mates the year before.
"I want to give you a better one," Edwards wrote to the snapper on July 28, 2022. Her desperation was palpable as she joked that the photographer had made her look "wide", "short", and "stumpy". The same paparazzo later captured Edwards with her celebrity friends Darren McMullen and Milly Gattegno outside Japanese restaurant Raw Bar.
When questioned by our team at The Scholarly Note, Edwards initially denied staging a paparazzi set but eventually admitted to orchestrating the shots. She claimed being photographed by paparazzi had damaged her self-esteem and she no longer wanted to be in front of the camera at all. However, experts suggest that Edwards' behavior is not an isolated incident but rather a symptom of a broader problem.
Cheryl Maitland: The MAFS Star's Paparazzi Predicament
In June 2017, a Sydney photographer accused MAFS star Cheryl Maitland of staging "candid" paparazzi photos. Posting to Instagram, Jayden Seyfarth shared a series of texts in which Maitland was trying to coordinate a staged photo shoot.
"I'm frankly getting annoyed with paps taking photos of me when I don't know and it [puts] me on edge every day," Maitland explained. "I mentioned to him I would be in Melbourne and if he wanted to meet me there that was fine."
However, Seyfarth later accused another celebrity, Skye Wheatley, of staging paparazzi photos for profit. The exchange appeared to show the pair had come to an agreement to split profits on the sales of the pictures "50/50" after Wheatley demanded a cut of the photos.
Skye Wheatley: The Big Brother Contestant's Paparazzi Predicament
Hours after leaking Maitland's text messages, Seyfarth accused former Big Brother contestant Skye Wheatley of staging paparazzi photos for profit. The staged set being discussed by Seyfarth and Wheatley related to her visit to the Bondi Junction Private Hospital for a breast consultation in May 2016.
Wheatley denied any wrongdoing but later alleged Seyfarth had delayed paying her for several months after the photos were published and had not responded to her messages. When questioned, Wheatley claimed Seyfarth brought along another photographer to document the meeting and "set her up".
Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt: The Reality TV Royalty's Paparazzi Past
Reality TV royalty Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt have shamelessly admitted to orchestrating their own paparazzi shoots for years. In one of their most infamous stunts, in 2008, Heidi was pictured crying outside her apartment after her debut single, Higher, received scathing reviews.
"We've always been really transparent about calling paparazzi and being in on it, set-ups, I mean, that's really what we're known for," Heidi said on a podcast last year. The couple has previously accused the Kardashians of copying their tactics.
Elle Macpherson: The Supermodel's Paparazzi Predicament
In January 2024, Elle Macpherson found herself in an awkward paparazzi moment outside Crown Sydney. While the 61-year-old supermodel had not arranged the media scrum, she repeatedly entered and exited the hotel to give the photographers the best shot possible.
An onlooker filmed the bizarre back-and-forth. "They did this cringe walking-in thing about 250 times - no exaggeration," he said. Macpherson's behavior was seen as a desperate attempt to get attention from the paparazzi.
Michael Turnbull: The Ex-Bachelorette Star's Paparazzi Predicament
In May 2018, ex-Bachelorette star Michael Turnbull was left scrambling after leaked texts showed him arranging a "fake date" with fellow reality star Alex Nation - just so they could sell the photos. Screenshots of their Instagram exchange showed Turnbull politely approaching Nation about an "opportunity".
However, when questioned by our team at The Scholarly Note, Turnbull denied staging photos and slammed Nation for "sending private messages to the media for a few dollars". Experts suggest that Turnbull's behavior was not an isolated incident but rather a symptom of a broader problem.
Abbie Chatfield: The Reality TV Star's Paparazzi Past
In a shocking revelation this week, Abbie Chatfield confessed she once accepted money to tip off paparazzi to her whereabouts. The 30-year-old revealed on her podcast, It's a Lot, that she pocketed $1,000 for staging pics shortly after her 2019 appearance on The Bachelor.
"We were going anyway, and it was $1,000! We thought, 'Yeah, that will pay for flights from Perth,'" Chatfield said. "It was done through a journalist, who told the paparazzi where we were going to be."
When questioned about her decision to stage paparazzi photos, Chatfield claimed she did it because she needed the money. However, experts suggest that Chatfield's behavior is not an isolated incident but rather a symptom of a broader problem.
The Paparazzi Problem: Experts Weigh In
Ben McDonald, CEO of Matrix Media Group, told our team at The Scholarly Note that many celebs have a working relationship with the paparazzi as a means of controlling their image. He suggested that celebrities who stage paparazzi photos are often desperate for attention or trying to boost their public image.
"It's not just about getting paid; it's about control," McDonald explained. "Celebrities who stage paparazzi photos are often trying to dictate the narrative and create a certain image."
In conclusion, while staging paparazzi photos may seem like an easy way out for celebrities seeking attention or money, experts warn that this behavior can have serious consequences. As the paparazzi problem continues to plague the entertainment industry, one thing is clear: in the world of celebrity culture, nothing is as it seems.
