The tale of the Fiji Water Girl continues as Fiji Water countersues the young woman who posed on the Golden Globes red carpet while handing out Fiji Water bottles and photobombing celebrities.
The young lady, Kelleth Cuthbert (legally Kelly Steinbach), gained overnight fame when she photobombed numerous celebrities at the Golden Globes.
Jamie Lee Curtis was NOT thirsting for the Fiji Water Girl’s antics at the #GoldenGlobes. 💦 https://t.co/Z3cxjOT5Mf— Entertainment Tonight (@Entertainment Tonight) 1547065801.0
OMG! Christian Le Blanc as the Fiji water girl à la the Golden Globes is hysterical!! #YR #YoungandtheRestless… https://t.co/Dy0LSW32FQ— Kim Huck (@Kim Huck) 1547172741.0
After her fame and attention surged, Steinbach proceeded to sue Fiji Water and The Wonderful Company saying that they:
"intentionally created cardboard cutouts of Steinbach for use in a cardboard cutout marketing campaign."
She also alleged that she had been
"pressured … into video recording a fake signing of a fake document to simulate Steinbach signing on as a Fiji Water Ambassador."
You know what would be really great? If all the stars that the Fiji Water Girl photobombed at the Golden Globes ban… https://t.co/7gK4s3f5BU— Mike Sington (@Mike Sington) 1549033219.0
Now Fiji is splashing back saying that Steinbach "materially breached" a contract which allowed them to use her likeness in their ads.
The brand claims that Steinbach "took the only signed copy of the Consulting Agreement with her."
The document outlines that they had a one-year, $90,000 deal that made Steinbach a brand ambassador. This gave Fiji the right to use her "name, likeness and performance".
Several people are standing strong with Kelly.
@enews Mmm. No. The company did not make her famous, if that were the case the other fiji water girls would've been… https://t.co/4uZXyWfCHM— Evelyn Janeidy Arevalo (@Evelyn Janeidy Arevalo ) 1549004537.0
@FIJIWater amazing how you couldn't just pay the girl the money she asked for when you capitalized on her photos at… https://t.co/s93uEfQeqM— DANA (@DANA) 1549673639.0
Others are riding a different wave.
@enews I understand her side, but I wouldn’t do that to someone who helped me. @FIJIWater you can use my pictures lol— May- May (@May- May) 1548983782.0
@Variety It’s unfortunate she didn’t use this opportunity to build a lasting relationship with Fiji. Lawyers now ge… https://t.co/H3x98s7u85— Patrick (@Patrick) 1549076749.0
@Variety She may win she may not, but she probably killed her acting career with this suit. Why would anyone want t… https://t.co/fwqgYWymu5— 🏜Velvett (@🏜Velvett) 1549155966.0
Remember how Fiji Water Girl tried to sue Fiji Water? Fiji Water said "not today" and filed a lawsuit right back.… https://t.co/VpRC7CPIQM— benjamin dean (@benjamin dean) 1549651860.0
Hopefully this wave will crest soon.