Bonang stands firm amid Revlon saga

FACE-OFF: Bonang's publicist says she has enjoyed a great relationship with Revlon SA and was honoured when their partnership was renewed.They're so desperate to see me lose. Bleh! Photo: Twitter FACE-OFF: Bonang's publicist says she has enjoyed a great relationship with Revlon SA and was honoured when their partnership was renewed.They're so desperate to see me lose. Bleh! Photo: Twitter

Lerato Mbangeni

lerato.mbangeni@inl.co.za

TWITTER users rallied behind Bonang Matheba yesterday after Revlon SA denied her claims that she is the newest global ambassador for the cosmetics brand.

Matheba revealed this via Instagram last week. “Proud to announce… I’m now a Revlon GLOBAL brand ambassador… My new Colorstay campaign was shot in New York and will launch on April 2, 2016… Look out for it!! From Africa to the WORLD!! ?#?blackgirlmagic? ?#?revlon? ?#?chooselove,” she stated.

On Tuesday, news site Connect broke the news on Twitter that Matheba may have lied about her new role, and that soon spread to Twitter.

She began by responding to tweets about the allegations by saying: “Haaaahaaaa. Such lies.”

Then Revlon SA released a statement confirming that she was indeed not a global ambassador.

“At this time we have no plans to use Bonang Matheba’s campaigns globally. Should this change, Revlon will make an official announcement,” said Michelle Stevens, communications manager of Revlon SA.

Twitter users stayed on her side though.

Among them was @MissLopi, who said: “I don't think Bonang lied exactly. Misunderstood maybe, worded her announcement incorrectly, seems like it. Doesn't mean she lied.”

Her publicist, Pumza Nohashe, was also adamant that her client didn't lie.

“Ms Matheba has enjoyed a great three-year relationship with Revlon SA and was very honoured when the brand came back to renew their partnership, specifically, as per the agreement extending her territory of endorsement, an official announcement to follow in due course,” Nohashe said in a statement responding to the claims.

She explained that “global campaign” came up because Matheba recently travelled to the US on a private promotional and publicity exercise, which involved a photo shoot with New York-based creatives.

“It is from this personal PR shoot that Revlon SA chose an image to use for their upcoming in-store Colorstay promotion, due to launch on April 4.”

She added: “This, together with contractual indicators, expressly provide for her global ambassadorship."

Matheba wrote on her Twitter account: It's so draining. They're so desperate to see me lose. Bleh!”

The Star