Defamation ClaimsTurkish influencer demands $8,000 and public apology following escalating dispute
Turkish influencer Türkan Atay has issued a legal notice to Pakistani fashion designer Maria B, alleging unpaid dues and defamatory remarks stemming from a recent collaboration on a brand campaign in Türkiye. The notice, served on April 24, demands $8,000 in compensation and a formal public apology.
Atay, who enjoys a large following on social media and is affectionately known as “Pakistani Bhabhi” due to her marriage to a Pakistani man, claims Maria B’s team failed to fulfill agreed-upon compensation for a shoot related to the designer’s 2025 campaign. The influencer alleges she was contracted for three professionally produced videos but received only partial payment and unprofessional treatment.
The Dispute
According to Atay, she was approached earlier this year by Maria B’s team to oversee production for the campaign in Türkiye. She stated that her charges were clearly outlined on a per-outfit basis, inclusive of all production costs. However, she claims the brand issued a lump-sum payment that did not reflect the agreed pricing structure.
In support of her allegations, Atay shared screenshots of what she says are conversations with the brand’s PR manager, showing initial agreement on a per-outfit rate. When the discrepancy was pointed out, the manager reportedly admitted to an oversight and acknowledged the confusion.
Attempts to resolve the matter privately were allegedly met with limited engagement. Atay says her direct messages to Maria Butt — the designer behind the Maria B label — were dismissed, with Butt stating she does not handle payments.
Frustrated by the lack of resolution, Atay posted a series of videos on Instagram detailing her experience. She claims that once her husband intervened to mediate, parts of their communication with the brand were deleted, and she was subsequently blocked by Maria B on Instagram.
Legal Action and Allegations
The legal notice sent by Atay’s counsel outlines the demand for $8,000, which includes $1,000 in outstanding fees, $2,000 in legal costs, and $5,000 for emotional distress and reputational damage. The notice also accuses Maria B of launching a “malicious defamation campaign” instead of resolving the matter amicably.
“The brand falsely accused my client of demanding ‘extra charges’ and misled the public by claiming they had been arranging meetings to settle the dispute, whereas no such meetings took place,” the legal notice states. It also highlights alleged damage to Atay’s reputation, noting a significant loss of followers and online engagement.
In addition, Atay’s legal team condemned what they described as “unfounded and sensitive allegations” concerning LGBTQ affiliations, made in the wake of her content being shared by LGBTQ-friendly platforms. Atay maintains that these claims were used to discredit her publicly and cause further emotional harm.
Maria B Responds
In response to the controversy, Maria B issued a statement calling the incident a “payment misunderstanding” and claimed the influencer had been paid partially, with further payments offered — conditional upon Atay ceasing to post content about the matter.
The designer also addressed the issue in a video posted to her Instagram account, attributing the confusion to a “junior PR girl” and alleging that Atay had received designer outfits worth “lacs” in addition to payment. Maria B insisted that her team made multiple efforts to settle the dispute privately and criticized Atay for making what she called “sensational videos for views.”
Later, Butt shared an Instagram story appearing to link Atay to LGBTQ media outlets that had reposted her videos, sparking further criticism. She later clarified her remarks were aimed at the media, not Atay directly, referring to them as “LGTV-friendly” and accusing them of amplifying the controversy.
Looking Ahead
Atay has stated she is prepared to pursue the matter in court should Maria B fail to meet the demands outlined in the legal notice within seven days. “I have all the proof, all the screenshots,” Atay declared, maintaining her call for accountability and a public apology.
The dispute, which began as a payment disagreement, has now morphed into a broader clash involving professional ethics, online defamation, and allegations of discrimination — highlighting the volatile mix of influencer marketing and brand collaborations in the digital age.
