Tammy Hembrow got some social media users offside this week after claiming that she has 20 million social media followers.
The influencer appeared in a trailer for Channel Nine’s new show Shark!, introducing herself to the audience ahead of her participation in the reality series.
The 32-year-old proudly announces in the clip, which was shared on Instagram: ‘I am best known for my social media presence. I have about 20 million followers online.’
Tammy currently has 16.3 million followers on Instagram, along with 2.3 million on TikTok, bringing the total to 18.6 million.
Several people pointed out the disparity in the comments section under the trailer.
‘16.3 million,’ wrote one person, referring to Tammy’s Instagram follower total, with another adding, ’16 million.’
Tammy Hembrow (pictured) got some social media users offside this week after claiming that she has 20 million social media followers
‘I have 20 million followers 19.9 million I actually bought,’ quipped someone else, with another asking, ’20 million?’
’20 million? Try 16 and declining … fake,’ chimed in someone else.
‘She means all her socials combined…’ reasoned one fan, but even at 18.6 million, Tammy falls short of her claim of 20 million followers.
‘She was in the news for buying them too,’ said another social media user.
Tammy has indeed attracted scrutiny in the past when it comes to her follower count, with a report in 2021 alleging her fanbase at the time may have included as many as 2.7 million ‘fake’ followers.
According to an audit report by FakeCheck.co for Daily Mail, the Gold Coast-based influencer’s social engagement did not align with the number of followers she had at the time.
However, her fame online has only grown in recent years, with Tammy attracting millions more followers in the five years since the audit.
She is now set to make a mark on reality TV, a move that was met with criticism earlier this week.
Tammy appeared in a new trailer for Shark! on Wednesday, and in the clip, which was shared to Instagram, Hembrow explained how dicing with dangerous beasts was right up her alley.
The influencer appeared in a trailer for Channel Nine’s new show Shark! (pictured) on Wednesday, introducing herself by saying: ‘I am best known for my social media presence. I have about 20 million followers online’
Tammy currently has 16.3 million followers on Instagram, along with 2.3 million on TikTok , bringing the total to 18.6 million
The activewear designer is shown arriving by boat and greeting other contestants in the series, before sharing how excited she is to take part.
‘I’ve always had a fascination with sharks. I love the ocean. I just feel like I was a mermaid in another life,’ Tammy said.
‘I like getting scared, if you know what I mean. It’s exciting,’ the fitness influencer continued.
‘I’ve been diving with sharks before. I’m really interested in anything that you know makes me afraid. I love it. Is that like a red flag?’
Some commenters on the post found the premise of the show distasteful and were quick to share their thoughts.
‘Maybe not the best time to glamourise sharks for entertainment when a Perth family is grieving,’ said one person, referring to a recent fatal shark attack off Rottnest Island.
‘This show should be cancelled in respect for the many people recently who have lost their lives,’ said another.
They added: ‘There was one two days ago and a 10-year-old boy.’
‘This show was cancelled overseas. Tammy isn’t going to draw the people in,’ one more person wrote.
‘Capitalising on animals for profit. All this does is associate humans with food and disrupts their natural habitat,’ someone else commented.
