TOWIE's Yazmin Oukhellou issues apology over fake pregnancy ad
Yazmin Oukhellou has issued an apology after sparking backlash with a controversial fake pregnancy announcement used to promote her new perfume.
The Only Way Is Essex star left some of her Instagram followers disgruntled after sharing a video which appeared to tease some very exciting baby news.
But fans were left surprised when Oukhellou, 32, revealed that her 'new arrival' wasn't a baby at all, but her latest business venture.
In the promotional clip, she hinted she had been keeping a secret, telling her followers: "I've been keeping a secret, something I've been working on for a very long time."
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The reality TV star then teased: "Are you ready to meet my new arrival?"
The video showed the star sporting what appeared to be a pregnancy bump, which she referred to as her 'new baby', only to later reveal she'd launched a fragrance named Amara.
Unsurprisingly, the unusual marketing tactic didn't go down too well with all of Oukhellou's followers, with some branding the stunt insensitive and others questioning why she had chosen to use pregnancy as a promotional tool.
Following the backlash, Oukhellou has now removed the post and shared a lengthy apology on her Instagram Stories.
Addressing the controversy, she explained that the concept was supposed to represent bringing a new creation into the world, rather than making a joke about pregnancy.
"I just wanted to share an apology regarding a post I shared recently," she began. "The concept behind the video was intended to symbolise growing something special behind the scenes and bringing a new creation into the world.
"I never imagined it would mislead anyone or make light of pregnancy, miscarriage or fertility struggles."
Insisting she never intended to upset anyone, Oukhellou continued: "There was absolutely no intention to offend, upset or be insensitive towards anyone.
"It was shared with no ill intent whatsoever, and I genuinely didn't think it would come across in that way."
She went on to apologise to anyone who had been left affected by the video, adding: "I completely understand why it may have caused upset, and I apologise to anyone who was hurt or offended."
Oukhellou's also made clear that she has 'nothing but respect' for women navigating their own fertility journeys.
Tyla contacted her representatives for further comment.
The ITVBe star first rose to fame after appearing on TOWIE appearing alongside her then-boyfriend James Lock.
Her apology comes nearly three months after she found herself at the centre of another major news story when armed police raided her Hertfordshire flat in August following an alleged stabbing incident in Mayfair.
A man was subsequently charged with attempted murder in connection with the attack.
Oukhellou was not arrested and was not being treated as a suspect.
Topics: Towie, Celebrity, Reality TV, UK News, ITV
Rhianna Benson
