Patrick Ta has responded to beauty influencer Avonna Sunshine, who claims she was never compensated for her partnership with the makeup artist’s eponymous beauty brand.
On December 7, Avonna, who has more than 418k followers on TikTok, posted a video calling out brands for not compensating black content creators and making money “from the black dollar.”
The Dallas-based influencer claims she experienced this with Tai’s company after testing and promoting the product.
“What do you think I’m doing? I was walking a beautiful path. I wasn’t an angry black woman when I emailed or DMed you, so what do you think I’m doing?” she said.
“I have a question for brands. How would you feel if someone stole from you? If someone took your hard earned time and blood sweat and tears and stole you?” she continued.
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Avonna said she thought about “letting it go” but decided to speak up for the black community. “You see people, especially black people, riding for company and that doesn’t make me feel good. I just wonder, how would those black creators who support you so strongly feel if they knew you were here and not paying black creators? I don’t think they would mind. I certainly didn’t.”
It’s unclear what exact promotion Avonna has done for the brand, but last March she posted a review of the Patrick Ta Beauty lip gloss and blush.
In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Avonna says, “While the Patrick Ta Beauty situation has garnered a tremendous amount of attention, I believe it’s important to focus on a larger issue, the systemic undervaluing of creators, especially black creators. I hope this situation highlights how color creators are often overlooked, underpaid and dismissed, despite the value and impact we bring to the table.”
“This isn’t just about one brand, it’s about the need for fairness, accountability and equality across the industry. I hope this conversation encourages more brands to reflect on their practices and commit to valuing all creators equally.”
Patrick Ta.
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After Avonna’s video went viral (it has 6.5 million views at the time of writing), Ta shared an apology video on his personal TikTok account.
“I immediately reached out to Avonna after seeing that video. I don’t expect an answer from Avonne, she doesn’t owe me a conversation. She’s probably angry about this whole situation and that’s completely understandable.”
“Avonna, I’m really, really sorry that this has escalated to this point and I’m so sorry that I didn’t see your message a month ago. I want you to get compensation as soon as possible, today if you are willing to answer me,” he added.
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Ta recalled having the “privilege” of meeting Avonna at what appears to be an event in July 2023, apparently captured in a video she posted last year.
“If I had known this, I would never have let this happen,” said Ta, who claims the brand’s finance team is responsible for the mix-up.
“This will never happen again. I want you to know that I appreciate the creativity and voices of black content creators,” he shared in appreciation as he became emotional.
He assured that he and the company are reviewing payment procedures to prevent a similar situation in the future.
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On December 9, Patrick Ta Beauty issued a statement on TikTok emphasizing the importance of the brand’s fan base.
“Whether you’re a creator, customer, or member of our beauty community, we never want you to be in any doubt about where you’re giving your support,” it read.
Ta, whose Hollywood clientele includes Gigi Hadid, Camila Cabello and Alix Earle, launched her brand in April 2019.
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Source: HIS Education