During the 2019 Golden Globes, a Fiji water model went viral for photobombing every celebrity photo. Kelleth Cuthbert, the model behind the viral moment, was dubbed the Fiji Water Girl. But now Cuthbert is suing Fiji water for using her image as a marketing tool without her permission.
According to The Blast, Cuthbert, whose real name is Kelly Steinbach, has sued Fiji Water Company and The Wonderful Company for using her image and viral internet fame to promote their product.
Cuthbert has claimed that the day after the Golden Globes, January 7, Fiji Water “intentionally created cardboard cutouts of Steinbach for use in a cardboard cutout marketing campaign,” according to the court documents.
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The model then goes on to say the day after, on January 8, Fiji negotiated an agreement with the model’s agent. But the cardboard cutouts have already been out on display. One was even seen in the background of some paparazzi shots of John Legend exiting a grocery store in West Hollywood.
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The court documents go on to state that Fiji knew that Cuthbert didn’t agree for the brand to use her image and likeness for profit. The model believes that she has gained more than $12 million worth of brand exposure for Fiji Water and wants them to stop using the cardboard cutouts.
Fiji Water told The Blast, “This lawsuit is frivolous and entirely without merit. After the Golden Globes social media moment we negotiated a generous agreement with Mr. Cuthbert that she blatantly violated.”
Fiji added, “We are confident that we will prevail in Court. Throughout our history, we have had a sterling reputation working with talent.”
