SHE makes good money sharing everything from lingerie-clad fitness workouts to happy family snaps of her five fair-haired kids and what her well-known husband had for breakfast.
There’s no doubt Hilaria Baldwin, who found fame after marrying actor Alec Baldwin, has carved a successful social media career from candid posts documenting their daily life.
But her influencer career – said to be a large part of her $10 million (R150m) net worth – is likely to be a thing of the past after a social media sleuth revealed Hilaria is far from the señora she claims to be.
And as more and more people came forward to point out Hilaria of Majorca, Spain, is actually Hillary from Boston, Massachusetts, her imagined American Dream seemed to swirl down the drain.
The 36-year-old has hit back at the revelations that she’s just another white woman who faked her heritage, down to her Spanish accent, in order to land influencer deals with paying clients.
Hilaria, however, maintains she didn’t lie. “There isn’t something I’m doing wrong,” she says.
Yes, she’s white, she admitted in a video posted to her 850 000 followers on Instagram. She was born in the US, not Spain, and her real name is in fact Hillary.
But she wasn’t misleading anyone, she maintains.
She blames her wavering Spanish accent on growing up between Boston and Spain, where her parents live.
She and Alec (62) gave their children – Carmen Gabriella (7), Rafael Thomas (5), Leonardo Ángel Charles (4), Romeo Alejandro David (2) and Eduardo Pau Lucas (4 months) – Spanish-influenced names in homage to the country she considers home.
This story is from the 21 January 2021 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the 21 January 2021 edition of YOU South Africa.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
OUR BRAVE LITTLE FIGHTER
Like her late sister, little Elana was born with a rare lung condition and can't breathe without a ventilator, but her parents are walking this familiar path with courage and hope
DOUBLE JEOPARDY
With his new film, The Fall Guy, Ryan Gosling put stunt doubles centre stage but how hard is it for a complete amateur to master the trade? Journalist Simon Usborne decided to find out
INSPIRATION EVERYWHERE
Irish writer Cecelia Ahern chats to YOU about writing her novels in longhand, her love of Lego and looking forward to her first wine-tasting in South Africa
THE KIDS ARE NOT OKAY
Something happened around 2010 that's had a huge impact on Gen Z, says a new book. It was the start of the phone-based childhood, and it's resulted in a rewiring of kids' brains - and a surge in depression and anxiety
HE'S ON THE BALL
Despite having no lower legs, -Grayton's prowess on the rugby field has made him a social media star
THIS ISN'T JUSTICE
A woman was shot dead by her fiancé, who said he thought she was an intruder. Now her family believe he got off lightly
THE BOSS IN CHARGE OF YOUR CROSS
As chief electoral officer of the IEC, Sy Mamabolo has his hands full these days!
HEARTBREAK AND HOPE
Relatives and loved ones share their stories as rescue efforts continue for the people still trapped under the rubble of a collapsed building in George
BLOOMING!
Shes adored by fans and loathed by haters, but like the character she plays in her new movie, Anne Hathaway says shes putting her own Joy first
SUSSEXES' AFRICAN ADVENTURE
Meghan and Harry took Nigeria by storm – but relations with the royal family remain icy