Patrick Ta has responded to beauty influencer Avonna Sunshine, who claims she never received compensation for partnering with the makeup artist’s eponymous beauty brand.
On Dec. 7 Avonna, who has over 418K followers on TikTok, posted a video calling out brands for not reimbursing Black content creators and profiting “off of the Black dollar.”
The Dallas-based influencer claimed that she experienced this with Ta’s company after testing and promoting products.
“What do you suppose I do? I went the nice way. I wasn’t the mad Black woman when I emailed or when I DM’d you, so what do you suppose I do?” 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 they stole from you?” she continued.
Avonna said she considered letting the situation “go,” but decided to speak up for the Black community. “You see people, especially Black people, riding for the company and that doesn’t make me feel very well. I just wonder, if those Black creators that are supporting you so heavily knew that you were out here not paying Black creators, how would they feel? I don’t think they’d be okay with that. I’m surely not.”
It’s unclear exactly kind of promotion Avonna did for the brand, but she posted a review on Patrick Ta Beauty’s lip glosses and blushes this past March.
In an exclusive statement to PEOPLE, Avonna says: “While the situation with Patrick Ta Beauty has drawn an overwhelming amount of attention, I believe it’s important that we focus on the larger issue, the systemic undervaluing of creators, especially Black creators. My hope is that this situation highlights how creators of color 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 equity across the industry. I hope this conversation encourages more brands to reflect on their practices and commit to valuing all creators equally.”
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After Avonna’s video gained traction (it has 6.5 million views as of writing), Ta shared an apology video to his personal TikTok account.
“I immediately reached out to Avonna after seeing that video. I don’t expect a response from Avonna, she doesn’t owe me a conversation. She is probably mad at this whole entire situation and that is completely understandable.”
“Avonna, I am truly so sorry that this has escalated to this point and I’m so sorry I didn’t see your message a month ago. I want to get you compensated 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 at an event in July 2023, seemingly captured in a video she posted last year.
“If I had known this, I would’ve never let this happen,” said Ta, who claims the brand’s financial team was responsible for the mix-up.
“This will never happen again. I want you guys to know that I value the creativity and the voices of Black content creators,” he shared in appreciation while getting emotional.
He assured that he and the company are reviewing payment procedures to prevent a similar situation from occurring in the future.
On Dec. 9, Patrick Ta Beauty issued a statement on TikTok that emphasized the importance of the brand’s fanbase.
“Whether you’re a creator, a customer or a member of our beauty community, we never want you to question where you put your support,” it read.
Ta, whose Hollywood clientele includes Gigi Hadid, Camila Cabello and Alix Earle, started his brand in April 2019.
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