Bianca Coster speaks out: “Chris Excel using my face has cost me my career”

Bianca Coster, a popular social media content creator and actress, has once again opened up about the emotional and professional toll of having her image used without permission by the notorious X (formerly Twitter) personality known as Chris Excel.

The X account, which boasts over 3.3 million followers, has long used Coster’s pictures to front a profile that posts offensive and inflammatory content.

Though the account isn’t actually run by her, many people assume it is — and that confusion has left Bianca facing backlash that she says has seriously damaged her career.

“I used to work with phenomenal brands like Vaseline, MTN and Darling Hair. I was doing television adverts; I had a lot going on for me before Chris Excel used my picture, and after he used that picture, things just started declining,” she revealed in a heartfelt TikTok video.

Struggling with public perception and dwindling professional opportunities, Coster questioned why her image was targeted in the first place.

“Why couldn’t he use another picture? Why should I constantly shift and change my life to accommodate this Chris Excel person? He could have used any other picture. He could have used a picture of a plant, but he decided to use my picture, knowing the implications of that.”

She added that if the person behind the account believed their actions were innocent, they should have had no problem using their own image.

“But he knows the backlash that would come with the things he says and the stuff he does, so he decided to use my picture. Now I am receiving all that backlash.”

In the video, Coster shared how the situation continues to affect her both personally and professionally. From awkward encounters in public to having to explain herself to brands and agencies, the consequences have been far-reaching.

“This thing is after me. It’s hovering over me. I can’t get away from it, and still you guys come on my comments, insult me, and call me all sorts of names as if I deserve this. I don’t know what I did. All I ask is for my picture to please not be used, respectfully and gracefully.”

While some people may assume that the visibility from being associated with such a large platform would bring her more recognition or work, she insisted that the opposite is true.

“There’s no benefit to him using my picture. He’s actually tarnished my image, and it’s harder for me.”

Legal experts believe Coster has grounds to take action.

Speaking to eNCA, legal analyst Ulrich Roux said that what’s happening to her could be classified as cyberbullying and harassment under the Cyber Crimes Act.

According to Roux, Coster can seek a court order to stop the impersonation, although the anonymous nature of the account makes enforcement challenging.

“She is well within her rights to obtain interdictory relief against both X and Chris Excel. While that is easier said than done, as the identity of Chris Excel is unknown, one can obtain specialists or forensic specialists to obtain the IP addresses and locations from where he runs the account. Once that is done, one can obtain interdictory relief in the high court.”