The rise of Australia's 'bad influencers': From drugs, to drink driving and baring all for cash - the Instagram models you SHOULDN'T follow

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Love them or hate them, influencers are here to stay.

The term 'Instagram model' has gone from a backhanded jibe to a legitimate career path thanks to the huge amount of money and amazing perks available to those who find social media fame.  

And while some influencers deserve the attention they receive, there seems to be those who have forgotten that with great influence comes great responsibility. 

Meet Australia's 'bad influencers': The Instagram models who prove you SHOULDN'T aspire to be like them - after model Patricia who was caught drink driving, 'Torpedo Trish' Hadjia (pictured), was slammed for requesting less community service hours because she feels 'out of place'

Just last week Sydney Instagram model Patricia 'Torpedo Trish' Hadjia was slammed for requesting less community service hours because she felt 'out of place', after pleading guilty to high-range drink driving. 

Unfortunately, Patricia is one of many influencers to have raised eyebrows in recent years. 

Here, we take a look at the Instagram stars whose bad behaviour should be anything but idolised. 

Nina Palangetic 

Instagram star Nina Palangetic has raised eyebrows over the years for jokingly bragging on Instagram about taking drugs

Instagram star Nina Palangetic has been jokingly bragging on Instagram about taking drugs for years.

In September 2020, the Sydney-based model uploaded a photo of herself modelling a skimpy pink crop top and skirt, alongside the caption: 'Didn't look like this when the special K hit in.'

'Special K' is a slang term referring to the illicit party drug ketamine.  

Raising eyebrows: In September 2020, the Sydney-based model uploaded a photo of herself modelling a skimpy pink crop top and skirt, alongside the caption: 'Didn't look like this when the special K hit in'  

In April 2019, she joked on Instagram an M-shaped pendant on her necklace actually referred to the illicit drug MDMA - before clarifying it was actually the first letter of her real name Mirjana.' 

And in August the previous year, she also made reference to a line of cocaine when she wrote in the caption of a bikini photo: 'I call this the 'Hi papi can lil [sic] mami have a line look'. 

It is not suggested Nina has taken illicit drugs. 

What's in a name? In April 2019, she joked on Instagram an M-shaped pendant on her necklace actually referred to the illicit drug MDMA - before clarifying it was actually the first letter of her real name Mirjana  

Caption: In August  2018 she also made reference to a line of cocaine when she wrote in the caption of this bikini photo: 'I call this the 'Hi papi can lil [sic] mami have a line look'

She also sparked controversy in February 2018 after brazenly filming herself on Instagram while she was driving. 

In her video, the brunette claimed she would punch police in the face if they tried to stop her.

She boasted: 'I've been videoing and driving this whole time but when you're good at something, you're just good at it. Whose gonna stop ya besides the coppers, coppers punch them in the face.'

Behind the wheel: In February 2018, Instagram star Nina Palangetic made headlines after she brazenly filmed herself while driving. In her video, the Sydney-based model claimed she would punch police in the face if they tried to stop her 

But less than 24 hours later the model had backtracked into making a public apology. 

She was criticised for the post by people pointing out the dangers of using a phone while driving, losing concentration and potentially causing serious crashes. 

In her apology Ms Palangetic said: 'I don't know all the realities of it but I just heard some really sad stories which broke my heart.  

Footage: She boasted: 'I've been videoing and driving this whole time but when you're good at something, you're just good at it. Whose gonna stop ya besides the coppers, coppers punch them in the face.' Pictured is a screenshot from Ms Palangetic's video 

'So please don't text and drive. I know it's ironic coming from me seeing as I f****** did it yesterday, but it's not worth it so just don't do it guys. Let's just work together and be great citizens.'

At the time, NSW Police confirmed to Daily Mail Australia that officers were looking into the footage. 

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Michael Corboy from the state's Traffic and Highway Patrol Command said there were no excuses for using a phone while driving. 

'When you drive while using a phone, your attention is not on the road, on other cars, pedestrians, or on other dangers and it poses a risk to everyone who uses the road. There is simply no excuse for it,' he said. 

'Let's just work together and be great citizens': But less than 24 hours later the model had backtracked into making a public apology

Calum von Moger 

Instagram influencer and bodybuilder Calum vom Moger recently pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court to possessing a variety of drugs, including testosterone, cannabis and about two grams of methamphetamine - the deadly drug ice. 

His fall from a building a May 6 shocked the body builder's legion of fans, who feared he may never walk again.   

Appearing via video link with his arm in a sling, the court heard Calum remained in severe pain after spending 11 days in The Alfred hospital following the fall. 

Instagram influencer and bodybuilder Calum vom Moger (pictured) pleaded guilty in the Melbourne Magistrates' Court last Thursday to possessing a variety of drugs, including testosterone, cannabis and about two grams of methamphetamine - the deadly drug ice  

Calum - a three-time World Fitness Federation 'Mr Universe' winner and actor who once played Arnold Schwarzenegger in a film - had been suffering severe depression at the time of the incident, which left him with injuries to his spine, face and neck.

The court heard cops pulled Calum over in Melbourne's CBD on January 31 after observing his Ford Ranger was unregistered. 

Concerned about his 'erratic' behaviour and 'enlarged pupils', the officers called for back-up. 

Struggles: Calum - a three-time World Fitness Federation 'Mr Universe' winner and actor who once played Arnold Schwarzenegger in a film - had been suffering severe depression at the time of the incident, which left him with injuries to his spine, face and neck  

The court heard Calum did himself no favours when he jumped out of the car and continued to behave badly. 

A search was conducted, with officers finding a shoulder bag containing a small deal bag of meth. 

A further search turned up his illicit stash of testosterone, needles, three containers of cannabis oil, another bag of white crystal powder and an assortment of prescription drugs, including Viagra. 

Rise to fame: Calum played a young Arnold Schwarzenegger (pictured together) in the 2018 film Bigger and has been dubbed 'Arnold 2.0' in the bodybuilding world

The body builder was placed under arrest. 

The court heard Calum was determined to get his life back in order so that he could return to the US and engage with his son and girlfriend, who has travelled to Melbourne to support him with his legal woes. 

Mr Campigli asked Magistrate Roslyn Porter not to convict his client of the charges. 

The magistrate agreed, noting Calum's total lack of prior offending and previous good behaviour. 

Instead Calum was simply ordered to pay $500 to the court fund, which will go to a court-appointed charity. 

Fall: Calum reportedly fell through a window on May 6, injuring his spine

Eileen Cassidy 

In October 2021, Australian model Eileen Cassidy pleaded guilty to driving while having a suspended licence, claiming she made an 'honest' mistake because of her jet-setting lifestyle. 

The glamorous influencer faced Melbourne Magistrates' Court after she was pulled over by police in April 2019, The Herald Sun reported.    

The incident saw Ms Cassidy charged and her car impounded for 30 days at a cost of almost $900.   

Guilty: In October 2021, Australian model Eileen Cassidy (pictured) pleaded guilty to driving while having a suspended licence, claiming she made an 'honest' mistake because of her jet-setting lifestyle 

Ms Cassidy, who boasts over 200,000 Instagram followers, works as a model in Australia and Bali and runs an online fashion brand called Reveuse Collective. 

At the hearing, Ms Cassidy's lawyer Brett Tait argued that his client had the 'honest belief' that her licence was not suspended when she was charged. 

He explained that Ms Cassidy often travels overseas due to her modelling work, and therefore did not receive a letter from VicRoads informing her of the suspension. 

Charged: The glamorous influencer, 30, faced Melbourne Magistrates' Court after she was intercepted driving with a suspended licence in April 2019, The Herald Sun reported 

'Miss Cassidy works as a model, as an influencer, she's recently started her own clothing label and she does a lot of work and has done over the years in Bali, she relocated for much of that period to Bali,' Mr Tait said. 

'She was going backwards and forwards between Melbourne and Bali and the address her VicRoads licence advice was being sent to is a former flatmate, she wasn't residing there, she wasn't really residing anywhere permanently … and was receiving mail intermittently.' 

Mr Tait implored the court to consider Ms Cassidy's actions as a reasonable mistake and to not 'interfere' with her licence any further. 

Jet-setter: At Tuesday's hearing, Ms Cassidy's lawyer Brett Tait explained that Ms Cassidy often travels overseas due to her modelling work, and therefore did not receive a letter from VicRoads informing her of the suspension 

He also argued that VicRoads should change its mailing policy to avoid this situation in future, by sending registered rather than unregistered post when the nature of the correspondence has serious consequences.  

Magistrate Hayley Bate rejected the notion that VicRoads was to blame, explaining that it was Ms Cassidy's responsibility to keep on top of her mail.

'Hopefully she's learnt from this experience,' Magistrate Bate said, but chose not to further strip Ms Cassidy of her licence. 

Popular: Ms Cassidy, boasts over 200K Instagram followers, works as a model in Australia and Bali and runs an online fashion brand called Reveuse Collective 

However, she was placed under a nine-month good behaviour bond and ordered her to donate $200 to Road Trauma Support Services Victoria. 

It was the latest in a string of legal woes for serial driving pest Ms Cassidy. 

Ms Cassidy has been charged with several driving offences dating back to 2010. In July 2020, she was charged by Victoria Police for using her phone while driving. 

Ms Cassidy was spotted by officers looking at her phone while stopped at an intersection in St Kilda when they pulled her over.  

At the time, Ms Cassidy claimed she was merely 'playing with her rings', however the police rejected this argument and claimed they'd seen a phone in her hand. She received a fine and four demerit points.  

Consequences: Ms Cassidy was placed under a nine-month good behaviour bond and ordered her to donate $200 to Road Trauma Support Services Victoria

Nadia Bartel 

Ex AFL WAG Nadia Bartel found herself in hot water in September after footage emerged of her breaking Melbourne's Covid lockdown and snorting what appeared to be a white powder at a party. 

In the video, she was surrounded by other women who laughed as she leaned over a $1.50 Kmart plate and snorted a line of white powder, during what was an illegal gathering due to lockdown restrictions. 

Damning footage from the gathering was posted by mistake on Instagram by her friend and business partner Ellie Pearson.

Scandal: Ex AFL WAG Nadia Bartel found herself in hot water in September after footage emerged of her breaking Melbourne's Covid lockdown and snorting what appeared to be a white powder at a party 

Nadia issued an apology on Instagram 24 hours after the video leaked.

'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 [the] future,' she wrote. 

After the incident was widely reported, Nadia lost well-paid sponsorship deals.

Nadia and three other women were each fined $5,452 for breaking lockdown rules. 

Footage: In the video, she was surrounded by other women who laughed as she leaned over a $1.50 Kmart plate and snorted a line of white powder, during what was an illegal gathering due to lockdown restrictions 

Fined: Nadia and three other women were each fined $5,452 for breaking lockdown rules

Amber Luke 

Tattooed Instagram model Amber Luke made headlines for the wrong reasons in December 2020 after she pleaded guilty to seven drug charges. 

Police had raided her Capalaba home and found sealed bags of marijuana and MDMA and other drug-related paraphernalia. 

The court heard she carried out street-level drug deals, raking in thousands of dollars in illegal money, NCA Newswire reported. 

Drug charges: Tattooed Instagram model Amber Luke (pictured) made headlines for the wrong reasons in December 2020 after she pleaded guilty to seven drug charges.

The prosecutor said Amber sold nearly 2.5kg of marijuana in 48 different drug deals over an eight-month period.

Amber, an OnlyFans star, said the MDMA found at her home was for personal use.

Her lawyer said the trafficking of marijuana was in 'large part' to support 'her addiction' rather than criminal proceeds.

Raid: Police ad raided her Capalaba home and found sealed bags of marijuana and MDMA and other drug-related paraphernalia 

He said she is now working as a beautician and is undergoing mental health and drug rehabilitation. 

Amber avoided jail time and was sentenced to immediate parole for three years. 

In January, Amber told 7News she was also working as a topless waitress and escort.

'I work very hard, at the moment, sometimes up to six days a week,' she said.

'These days, I don’t really fixate on my OnlyFans. I do other sex work like topless waitressing and escorting. As my income has sky rocketed, my independence is sparkling and raised - it's my happiness.'

Amber is also an OnlyFans star and also works as a topless waitress and escort

Patricia Hadjia

Instagram model Patricia Hadjia made headlines this week after she argued she should have her community service hours cut because she feels they are excessive and she also feels 'out of place'.

Patricia, who goes by the social media handle Torpedo Trish, pleaded guilty to high range drink driving after she crashed into three parked cars and flipped her Jeep Grand Cherokee while three times over the limit in Maroubra in Sydney's east on October 16.

Her license was suspended after she blew a blood-alcohol reading of 0.181 and in March she was given a three-year community corrections order with 400 hours of community service. 

Scandal: Instagram Model Patricia Hadjia (pictured) made headlines this week after she argued she should have her community service hours cut because she feels they are excessive and she also feels 'out of place'  

Appearing in NSW District Court on Tuesday, Ms Hadjia's lawyer Eidan Havas said the 400 hours of community service was 'offensively excessive' and asked for it to be significantly reduced.

The 28-year-old, who also works as a marketing manager, told the court when she attended a community service induction day she felt 'pretty out of place'.

'It was a bunch of men and they were, like, talking about their offences,' she told the court.

Crash: She blew a blood-alcohol level of 0.181 after crashing her car on Duncan Street in Maroubra, according to her charge sheet 

'It's very hard with the amount I've been given, looking at doing it long-term.' 

'There's absolutely no way I would do anything remotely like that ever gain; it's been completely humiliating,' she told the court on Tuesday.

Arrested: Torpedo Trish was arrested, charged with high-range drink driving and had her licence suspended 

She said she had disappointed everyone around her and was disappointed by decisions.

Her lawyer said Ms Hadjia was 'willing' to finish her 400 hours service, but added 'offensively it's too much'.

Judge Ian Bourke noted she had already paid hundreds of thousands in compensation and was the subject of media coverage, saying she had suffered 'significant punishment'.

He said however her actions could have resulted in serious injury or death. 

'That didn't happen here, but that was a matter of good luck more than anything,' Judge Bourke said.

The judge agreed to drop her community service hours from 400 hours to 250. 

Ms Hadjia was pictured on social media at a wedding with a glass of champagne in her hand just hours before the accident in October last year.

Drinks: The Instagram influencer had posted an image with a champagne glass in her hand to her 39,000 fans moments before the crash