On Sunday afternoon, Sophie Elise Isachsen (28) posted a photo of herself and another influencer in a photo carousel on Instagram.
There is one detail in particular that has attracted a lot of attention in recent days. In one photo, the other influencer is holding a small plastic bag with what looks like a white powder in it.
“Life becomes about a billion times more fun when you just give a fuck,” she wrote under the pictures.
TV 2 is not aware of whether the other influencer knew that the photo was to be published on Sophie’s Elise’s profile, and TV 2 is also not aware that the person in question has shared the photo himself. Therefore, TV 2 chooses not to name the influencer.
The image in question was quickly removed from the platform, but has been spread on social media. The reactions have not been long in coming.
Lots of complaints
Council secretary of the Broadcasting Council, Erik Skarrud, informs TV 2 that at 12.30 on Tuesday they have received approximately 200 complaints about the case. It is a high number, according to Skarrud.
– It usually only happens a handful of times during a year that we receive over a hundred complaints about a case, he says.
Skarrud says that it is mainly private individuals who have sent complaints.
– The essence of the complaints is the famous image and that NRK has an agreement with her. A complainant writes, for example, that the person in question cannot understand that NRK can front her as a person who should reach out to young people, he says.
In September, Isachsen and her friend Fetisha Williams became NRK profiles through the launch of the podcast “Sophie & Fetisha”.
PROMO: This image was used to promote the podcast collaboration between Sophie Elise, Fetisha and NRK. Photo: Henriette Dahli / NRK
NRK Entertainment owns and is behind the podcast.
TV 2 has been given access to the complaints that have come to the Broadcasting Council after the Instagram picture. There, several ask NRK to end the collaboration with Isachsen.
Since Sunday, TV 2 has been trying to get in touch with Isachsen and the other influencer. After repeated requests, Isachsen and her management have not yet responded. The same applies to the other influencer in the picture.
Asks NRK to take responsibility
TV 2 is not aware of the contents of the bag pictured, but it has caused several people to react.
“Boycott NRK until you hopefully come to your senses and end the collaboration with SE AS,” writes one of the people who has sent a complaint to the Broadcasting Council.
Several point out how problematic it is that Isaksen has a young following.
“I have two daughters who are 13 and 16, who adore SE. The damage she has now done cannot be forgiven. As an employer, you have a heavy responsibility. I hope you take this seriously, once and for all.”
WINNER: Sophie Elise Isachsen when she won “Business of the Year” at the VIXEN Awards 2019. Photo: Vidar Ruud / NTB
A mother writes on behalf of her youngsters.
“As a mother of young people in the middle of the target group you will meet with her podcast, I have to say that this is not something I want them to have as a role model”.
A fourth complainant writes that the post is “such a big violation that she has to go”.
“You can’t make room for her anymore, and protect her every time. Dear NRK, enough will be enough”.
NRK: Will continue the collaboration
In connection with the launch of Isachsen’s podcast this autumn, editor-in-chief in the entertainment department at NRK, Rune Lind, stated that this was a podcast NRK needed.
– We have a clear strategy to hit both young target groups and to hit broadly in society. So it is that we have not been spoiled with too many young female voices, and have recently worked purposefully to correct that impression, said Lind.
Lind did not want to comment on the matter on Tuesday, but referred to the communications department.
Communications advisor Vetle Nielsen is responsible for the podcast of Sophie Elise and Fetisha in NRK.
To TV 2 he says:
– Today we spoke to Sophie Elise. The photo in question was not taken in connection with NRK or posted on any of NRK’s platforms, so it would not be right for us to comment on it, says Nielsen.
Christina Rezk Resar, acting editor at NRK Entertainment, says that the picture has no consequences for the collaboration.
– Given the information Sophie Elise has given us, this will not have consequences for the collaboration between her and NRK, and the podcast will come out as planned on Thursday, she says.
Shared the photo
It is not only private individuals who have reacted. Presenter and influencer Mads Hansen himself posted a post where he shared the photo.
According to him, it was later deleted due to a breach of Instagram’s guidelines.
DELETED: Mads Hansen says he does not understand why the picture was deleted from his profile. Photo: Erik Teige / TV 2
“For those wondering: The post I posted earlier today was deleted, apparently for violating Instagram’s guidelines. What guidelines? No idea,” wrote Hansen on Instagram.
