Artist exposes "influencer" demanded the artist pay her for the privilege of working for her

Author image for Brad Dickson
Brad Dickson • Managing Editor
Feb 20, 2025 12:00 PM EST

This influencer offered exposure, but she was the one who got exposed instead for her bad behavior.

Wanting something for nothing, but being choosy about how you're going to receive that something, regardless—even going as far as to complain about that thing that you have been given. This is a classic description of "choosing beggars" who we've classically derided online for their entitled behavior. Typically, you will see this type of behavior from influencers who are looking for free services in exchange for "exposure" or any other entitled people who think that they deserve something more than paying clientele. 

This artist was unwilling to tolerate such behavior from a family friend and "influencer" who saw the work she had done for a mutual friend and decided that she wanted a painting herself. Whereas the mutual friend had paid for the painting, this "influencer" friend wanted it for free in exchange for "advertising" the painting on her Instagram to her "fans." 

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    Cheezburger Image 10470700288
    via Daiga Ellaby For Unsplash+

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • The request went on to include customizations that would make the painting even more difficult and expensive. Eventually, the influencer decided that free wasn't good enough; the artist should pay her an advertising fee for the exposure she would provide. 

    This was the straw that pushed the artist's patience over the edge, especially once the friend got the artist's mother involved, who inexplicably took the influencer's side. The artist then got the influencer's own family involved, sharing the hateful messages that she received afterward with them and then turning to this online community to share her story. Below, see her account of events followed by screenshots of the text message exchange. 

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    My mom's goddaughter, let's call her "Jen" (29F), asked me (25F) to do a painting for her because she saw I did one for a mutual friend, let's call her "Anna." Jen wanted the painting as a gift for her father, who is a retired photographer. Here's the thing: Anna paid me for the painting, and everything went smoothly.
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    She posted a picture of the painting with her mom as she was gifting it to her. Well, Jen saw that painting and became interested in one for her father. The problem is, she wanted me to do it for free. She said she would advertise it on her Instagram and tell her "fans" to buy from me in exchange for the painting. I told her no, as I am not in a great financial spot right now,
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    and I cannot afford to do something for free. She wanted a custom-sized canvas, which is not commonly found in stores. I would either have to have it made myself or try to find it online for a reasonable price. I explained this to her, but she still didn't understand. She said I already had the materials on hand and that she didn't think art materials
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    were that expensive. She accused me of being greedy and not having a vision for business, claiming that her exposure would be more valuable than my art. She also said she wanted me to pay her $200 on top of the free painting, arguing that with her help, I would make so much money, and companies pay her to
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    review things. She pointed out that every creative artist or individual, including her father, did free work at the beginning. Everything went downhill when she noticed I wasn't replying (I was working), and she started talking down on me because I was let go from the military (for medical reasons beyond my control). She said I had failed at
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    everything, including that, and that she was giving me the option to succeed and make my parents proud. Since I wasn't replying, she called my mom to complain that I didn't want to do a free painting for her. As I mentioned, she's my mom's goddaughter, and my mom seems to have a preference for her. Mom called me back and demanded I do the
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    painting for free. I became enraged. Jen's words about my parents not being proud of me stuck in my head. So, I decided to draw a 2-second sketch and told her that was her free painting and to leave me alone. She became really angry and threatened to post on her socials, telling her followers not to buy from me and to ruin my art career. I've received a few phone calls from
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    my mom, which I haven't answered, and some hate messages from what I assume are her followers. AITAH for exposing her texts to her family? (Including the internet)
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    Hi! Girlie! How are you? Omg I saw the painting you did for mom and it's so cute I want one for my dad. Same thing. The childhood house and him teaching me how to ride a bike I would like it a bit bigger though. I'm thinking a 17x28 so you have enough space for the house and everything Hi there! I'm good. I'd love to do a painting for you! I had so much fun painting that for her. Just fyi. A 17x28 would be more expensive since it's a custom size. What do you mean? + Most art stores don't carry t
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    But I mean it shouldn't be that bad. I've seen canvas and paint for $5 at Walmart Yeah, but I'm just saying the cost will increase for you. Give me a second, and I'll calculate the total and provide an estimate for the down payment. Well. About that... I was thinking that we could workout a great deal for you. I think the one who's going to pay me at the end is you haha You know my dad is a well known photographer and knows everyone in highland park literally. He's going to tell everyone about y
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    + I'm sorry, but I can't afford to do a painting for free at the moment, let alone pay you to post it on Instagram. You aren't really business minded are you? You just need to do ONE painting. Which will cost you next to nothing and with my help you'll be making thousands That's not true. The canvas itself will be like $180~. Plus gesso and paint. PLUS my time You know dad started his photography business doing free photos hoots and see where he's now. You are no one. You gotta do it for free to
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    I was discharged due to medical reasons, but it was an honorable discharge. Some things are beyond your control, and epilepsy is one of them. Yeah but you've failed at everything You didn't hear it from me, but your mom told me she was disappointed in you. You have failed at everything. And I'm here trying to help you. Make her proud won't you? Have a win at least once. Oh sorry. Maybe I shouldn't say anything mean you might get one of your seizures, cupcake You aren't really cut out to be an in
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    Here is the best I can do for free. Leave me alone now. lol you're so funny So funny that I am about to tell all my followers on tik tok and instagram about your treatment You're a joke of an artist The only people that buy from you are friends because they feel pity for you + iMessage 11/11
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    You're a joke of an artist The only people that buy from you are friends because they feel pity for you Now no one is going to buy from you You're so dumb You just screwed yourself big time haha I'll make sure no one ever buys from you then you'll come crawling asking for my help. Then guess what? I'll say no. Because FU! Have fun talking to some of my devoted followers ④ And you know what? I'm sure I can make the painting myself. You're a rip off for wanting to charge for BS anyone can do. Lose
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    RepublicTop1690 The more "influencers" who get exposed for the cons they are, the better. Expose away! NTA.
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    Becalmandkind NTA. Yes, expose her. That's extortion.
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    rockstarxcouture your mom also sks as ' much as this chick does.
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    BulbasaurRanch Reddit loves to bombard like that. You should've posted the "influencers" name so their inbox can be reminded the type of person they actually are.
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    RemoteEffect2677 NTA. But I think YTA if you don't out this person publicly we need it
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    human_bartender.. Please create a post on your account with the name of the person so we can find her and bring that b down.
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    midnitewarrior It's too late for this now, but you could have asked her how many sales of your paintings you would sell from her followers. She would have come back with a silly high number. Then, I'd pressure her to find a number she's absolutely certain of. Let's say 5.
    via paletteofemotionss
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    Then I'd say, "So you know 5 will buy? I'm charging you $1,000 for the painting. I'll give you $250 back for each painting I sell from your followers, if you get 5, you'll make $250! That sounds like an awesome opportunity for you." Then I'd watch her squirm and back out.
    via paletteofemotionss
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    She's a lowlife who wants everything for free and has no problem manipulating others to do so. Cut her off and tell your mother you don't do business with people like that.
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    robopirateninjasaur Oh another thing, since she brought parents into this, tell her dad she is using his name to try and get things for free. Still NTA
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    WaferEither7063 Nope. NTA. And you could monetize these text exchanges on your own social media. Waste that
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    Snakend Send those texts to your mom. And then cut your mom off too.
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    Crlady Wow she's insane. Please don't speak to this "influencer" ever again and screw your mom. What a b.
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choosing beggars choosing beggar customer service karens aita entitled parents karen-customer customers influencer karens in the wild entitled influencers karen entitled people
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