Australian influencers are taking over the US headlines, it seems.
Last week, we had Australian Instagram model Tammy Hembrow’s dramatic collapse at Kylie Jenner’s 21st birthday party.
And now it’s Aussie nude vegan blogger Freelee the Banana Girl who’s at the centre of the drama this week.
Yep, you read that right.
She really is called the ‘Banana Girl‘.
So what’s all the fuss about?
Back in February, the YouTuber from Queensland packed up her things and moved to the South American jungle to live off-the-grid – naked and fed only by the organic fruit and vegetables she has grown herself.
“11 years ago I renamed myself Freelee during a waterfast because freedom is what I hold most sacred in life,” she wrote on Instagram in February.
“Since then I’ve been shedding the layers that hold me back. I freed myself from the 9-5 slave drive and moved to the jungle.
“I spend most of my day nude; free of restrictive clothing. I feast mostly on organic fruits and vegetables picked from the land.
“I shower in monsoonal rains and drink from pristine creeks. I quit an unhealthy relationship and found peace.”
Not only does Freelee want to be naked all the time in her quest to live a free life, she also doesn’t use makeup, shampoo, or shave.
And despite keeping up appearances for her 425,000+ Instagram followers and her 785,000 YouTube subscribers with constant posts and updates, she claims to live in a tent, using only solar-powered energy.
But in the past few weeks, 37-year-old Freelee’s (real name Leanne Ratcliffe) followers are getting a little suspicious about her supposed “off-grid” lifestyle.
And quite frankly, we can totally see why.
After all, despite her “off-grid” lifestyle, Freelee’s been spotted driving a car and her ‘tent’ definitely looks a lot more like a house.
While some followers have accused Freelee's lifestyle of being fake, as she's often seen using the latest smartphone and editing videos on her laptop, other fans have claimed she's secretly living in a huge mansion.
"One commenter said I was lying and living in a mansion out here and have a photographer who follows me around taking all my pics. Not quite hunny," Freelee responded to the rumours on Instagram.
"In reality I've been living in a tent under a shed for many months, through monsoonal rains and gale force winds. It's been REALLY tough at times," she added.
She also responded to claims she's a fraud for using a smart phone and internet.
"Yes, I do have a smart phone (but no reception), laptop and internet made possible through a satellite connection," she wrote.
"This means I can share with you what I see as an empowering urgent message. At this stage I can't send you that message telepathically."
It's not the first time Freelee has made headlines.
Back in 2015, Australian fitness blogger Kayla Itsines reportedly took Freelee to court for defamation, when Freelee claimed Kayla's Bikini Body Guide "starves people".
Freelee's also well-known for her controversial diet. Before 4pm, she typically only eats fruit – she claims she once ate 51 bananas in one day (hence the name).
Watch: An excerpt of a video by Freelee, contesting the accusation that she has orthorexia.
Top Comments
Why are her arms more tan than her torso if she's a nudist?
I’ve seen some of her YouTube videos....she is a thundering looney.