The line between private and public life can be blurred in the digital age. This is especially true for public figures and influencers. Bianca Coster is a South African actress and digital creator who has faced significant financial and personal challenges due to the impersonation of controversial social media personality Chris Excel. Coster revealed in an emotional statement the effects that this impersonation has had on her personal and professional life, as well as her mental health.
Bianca Coster and Chris Excel: The Impersonation of Chris Excel has a Life-Changing Impact
Chris Excel has been using Bianca Coster as his profile photo for years. He is a controversial but widely-followed figure on X, formerly Twitter. The identity theft caused confusion among social media users, who mistakenly equated Coster with Chris Excel and often associated her with his controversial posts. Coster shared in recent public statements how the ongoing impersonation is affecting both her professional and personal life.
Coster said that it’s not only the confusion but also the mental strain of constantly trying to prove my identity. I don’t know if you are the real person, and that is another reason why you used my photo. There are hundreds of profiles like this. “It’s a drain on your emotions.”
Coster acknowledged that this situation brought her to therapy. She admitted that it had a negative impact on her career and mental health. The problem is not just psychological; it also has a serious impact on her career.
Bianca Coster’s Experience with Cyberbullying & Identity Theft
Coster has spoken out about the consequences of cyberbullying in real life, especially when an individual’s identity is stolen for malicious reasons. Her association with Chris Excel not only damaged her reputation but also her career. In a TikTok clip that went viral, she said: “People have seen me associated with this controversial account and it has caused me unnecessary mockery.”
Coster, despite these obstacles, is determined to reclaim the narrative she created and change the situation. She came up with a creative solution: Chris Excel could profit from using images of other people for his controversial purpose. In a TikTok posting that attracted widespread attention, Coster proposed a concept called “President of the Month”, where people could pay to have their photos used instead of hers. It would allow him to not only earn money, but also stop the misuse of her photo.
This creative solution shows Coster’s determination and resilience to overcome a difficult situation. She said that Chris Excel could still benefit from his online presence without harming others.
Chris Excel
Bianca Coster’s financial struggles are another element of this ongoing story. Her work as a digital content producer revolves around her persona online. The association with Chris Excel and his controversial online persona has resulted in missed opportunities and a damaged reputation. Coster’s inability to control her image made it hard for her to maintain a positive relationship and secure brand deals.
Financial consequences are compounded with emotional and psychological costs. The damage was both humiliating as well as emotionally draining. Coster told IOL that constantly having to prove my innocence and disassociation from the account took a toll on him.
Coster is determined to continue raising awareness of the negative effects of cyberbullying and impersonation online, despite the challenges she faces. She calls for stronger legal protections to protect individuals whose identities and images are misused on the internet.
Stronger protections against online impersonation
The story of Bianca Coster highlights a problem that is growing in the digital age, namely the difficulties people face when trying to protect their online identities. Chris Excel’s actions have had serious financial and personal consequences. This is a reminder that South Africa needs stronger laws to protect online identities.
Coster, who continues to talk about her struggles and advocate for more awareness of online abuse, is also advocating stricter regulations. “We need stronger legislation and action to protect people’s identitites. “No one should be forced to suffer this,” she said.
ALSO READ: Don Mlangeni Nawa Dies: South African Actor Passes Away at 65
