Carson Unfairly Targetted Over Appearance Fee

Local News, By Christian Taylor, 14th May, 2009

Queer Eye star Carson Kressley is being accused of “cashing in” on Victoria’s bushfire victims, because he charged an appearance fee to be part of a recent PR event staged by Myer.

The Daily Telegraph allege that he was paid a $10,000 fee to travel to fire ravaged communities during his recent Australian trip to attend the Logies. It’s said that Jennifer Hawkins – who is the face of Myer, and thus already well paid by the company – waived her appearance fee, as did former Neighbours actor Benjamin Hart, and a number of Chadwicks models.

The Telegraph said that the retail giant “was shocked to be informed it would have to pay for his participation”. Although how many other staff working on the PR stunt, like photographers and security, did so without payment? Let’s not forget, the fee didn’t come out of donations to victims, they came from a company that reported a 2008 net profit of $95 million, up from $68 million in 2007. And while the event “benefited 750 mums, women and children affected by the fires” this event was also a piece of PR for Myer. Putting smiles on bushfire victims’ faces on Mothers Day can mean a lot for a brand in dollar terms.

Kressley’s agent refused to comment to the Daily Telegraph, and while Myer confirmed that Kressley was paid a fee, they didn’t confirm the amount.

“There was an arrangement,” said Myer’s Mitch Catlin. “Myer does not discuss arrangements with our ambassadors but we were thrilled we were able to bring Carson to the mums and kids of Whittlesea.”

Check out our Logies 2009 gallery here.

Your Thoughts

hazyinseptember

said ages ago

why is this article titled "carson unfairly targeted over appearance fee"? i don't see where the article justifies carson's innocence. he IS cashing in, and i find it quite reasonable to emphasize this. call it targeting, call it what you like. its not unfair - his act would be viewed by many to fall close to a crime and this public scrutiny is an apt consequence. are you for real? close to a crime? as someone else pointed out, were all the camera crews and media that covered the event also working for free? None of the money from his appearance fee came from bushfire funds, it was funded by Myer.. so can you explain the crime?

dixonphil

said ages ago

What a pathetic and highly unimaginative piece, not to mention trashy and usurprising. If Mr. Kresley accepted an appearcance fee then he deserves to be chastised, why do I get the feeling he's being defended simply because he's 'one of us'. Shame on you Christian!

yero69

said ages ago

I find Carson amusing on a good day, but he is simply peddling fluff and being highly paid for it, which is his right to make a living. However, why are the comments targeting him, when it was a Myers PR event under the guise of corporate philanthropy? It is no great secret corporate philanthropy is just another strategy to push the product..

corythepaperboy

said ages ago

are you for real? close to a crime? as someone else pointed out, were all the camera crews and media that covered the event also working for free? None of the money from his appearance fee came from bushfire funds, it was funded by Myer.. so can you explain the crime? its disgusting, don't take what i said about it being a crime literally, i was just expressing my anger towards that queen. lol. he is a horrible person, to accept to be paid for appearing there. if he wanted to make a difference, by i don't know, giving men make-overs, the honorable thing to do would be to volunteer. i volunteered at my local fire relief centre, and i am by no means a celebrity, but i certainly would not have taken money from someone who asked me to help out, and i think that its a horrible thing to do. say "no" to helping people, carson, we wouldnt care. but say "yeah sure" when offered $10,000 to do it, thats a crime.

orsman01

said ages ago

Some might say the reverse is also true, dixonphil - he's being TARGETTED simply because he's "one of us"!!! I repeat my earlier comment - "HOW MANY OF THE OTHER MEDIA PEOPLE WERE DONATING THEIR TIME? THE CREWS, THE ANCHORS, ETC" So why pick on Carson (love him or hate him - he's doing his job) - why should he do it for nothing when no-one else is...??? Sorry for shouting but I feel it needs repeating loudly so it is heard.

orsman01

said ages ago

... say "no" to helping people, carson, we wouldnt care. but say "yeah sure" when offered $10,000 to do it, thats a crime. Respectfully, I suggest you're mixing up your own personal opinion of Carson with the facts, corythepaperboy!!! Since when is doing your job a crime? Kressley is a celebrity and they make appearances for which they get paid. Is it also a crime for Madonna, Kylie, Lady Gaga, The Pussycat Dolls etc. etc. to get paid when they make appearances... whether performing or merely showing up? Think the AFL players give their time free of charge, cos they're nice? Hmmmmmn! Just becos you don't like him or think his appearance was of any comfort/significance to the people whose lives were devastated by these events does not make the man a criminal. Nor disgusting. He's doing his job. And my guess is that the Myer people knew EXACTLY what they were doing sending such a flamboyant celebrity into such a conservative area... How anyone can NOT see this bit of propaganda for what it truly is, astounds me. But then, I'm not political... ;-)

Asherbella

said ages ago

I'd like to know: (a) the sum-total of the fee he requested (b) the equation he came up with totalling that fee (c) the amount he was actually paid (d) did he charge of his own accord or was this fee his agents' idea Makes all the difference...

dixonphil

said ages ago

"Some might say the reverse is also true, dixonphil - he's being TARGETTED simply because he's "one of us"!!!" Turn it up... I'd say he's being 'targeted' because he sticks out like a sore thumb; and before you get all high and mighty on some "just because he's different" argument, let me qualify that by asking the question, 'what the hell does Carson Kresley have to do with the Victorian Bushfire Disaster!?'. Why on earth would you send in an expired fashion-faux-poof when half of Victoria is ravaged by fire? Does he intend to redecorate?

dixonphil

said ages ago

I'd like to know: (a) the sum-total of the fee he requested (b) the equation he came up with totalling that fee (c) the amount he was actually paid (d) did he charge of his own accord or was this fee his agents' idea Makes all the difference... I'm not sure that's the point 'Asherbella'. It's the fact that Mr. Kresley profited from the VIC bushfire disaster, regardless of who paid him, that is so wrong. Yes, I'm sure there were costs involved for Mr. Kresley in appearing, but it should've been an act of charity for him to accept those costs without compensation in light of all that those affected had lost, I'm sure he could've spared that cash. Perhaps he could've arranged to have his 'fee' donated on his behalf to the appeal. Riding on the publicity of disaster, what high standards Mr. Kresley sets for himself.

Asherbella

said ages ago

I'm not sure that's the point 'Asherbella'. It's the fact that Mr. Kresley profited from the VIC bushfire disaster, regardless of who paid him, that is so wrong. Yes, I'm sure there were costs involved for Mr. Kresley in appearing, but it should've been an act of charity for him to accept those costs without compensation in light of all that those affected had lost, I'm sure he could've spared that cash. Perhaps he could've arranged to have his 'fee' donated on his behalf to the appeal. Riding on the publicity of disaster, what high standards Mr. Kresley sets for himself. Think of the impressionable masses. If the average Joe Bloggs sees celebrities front up for charitable causes; that has a ripple effect - they too, feel inspired to donate money/time/resources. Carson being paid is beside the point. His presence/visibility helps the cause.

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