The wife of an Australian Rules football star, who faced a torrent of online abuse over her wedding photos, has turned her pain into a powerful gesture of support for others. Chloe Pink, married to North Melbourne Kangaroos AFL player Toby Pink, has donated the very wedding dress that featured in the abusive comments to an anti-bullying charity.
From Wedding Joy to Online Torment
In March, when the couple shared their wedding photographs, Chloe Pink became the target of relentless body-shaming and personal attacks from online trolls. The abuse was so severe and widespread that it overshadowed one of the happiest days of her life. She revealed the experience sent her into a deep depression, crying for days and finding it impossible to look at the images from her wedding.
The harassment grew so intense that Chloe even considered hiring a private investigator to identify the people behind the cruel comments. "I was in the deepest, darkest state of mind," she admitted. "I couldn't comprehend the truth. There were hundreds of negative trolling comments about the way that I looked and about my body shape."
Reclaiming Memories and Finding a Voice
After speaking out about her ordeal on a podcast, influencer Stephanie Claire-Smith offered to pay for a new photoshoot. The couple bravely decided to restage their wedding pictures, wearing the same outfits, as a way to reclaim the memory and rebuild Chloe's confidence. This act proved to be a significant turning point.
Chloe has since become an outspoken advocate against online trolling, vowing to call out those who target women over their appearance. "I wanted to hire a private investigator and I wanted to find out exactly who every single person was," she said, reflecting on her initial reaction.
A Dress Donated for a Cause
Now, Chloe has taken her advocacy a step further by donating her wedding dress to Dolly's Dream Australia, a national organisation dedicated to addressing bullying and its impact on mental health. The charity runs a Bullying Support Line and educational workshops in schools across the country.
The dress will be auctioned to raise crucial funds for the charity's prevention programmes. Dolly's Dream announced the donation on Instagram, stating: "After being relentlessly cyberbullied after her wedding, Chloe Pink, wife of AFL player Toby, has decided to auction off her dress to raise funds for Dolly’s Dream." They encouraged supporters to "bid on a one-of-a-kind piece that will make a real difference."
Chloe shared the news on her own Instagram story, where it was met with an outpouring of support. Followers praised her courage, with comments describing it as a "beautiful gesture from a beautiful woman" and calling the dress "gorgeous." One supporter wrote, "We think she’s the most beautiful bride every time we see this picture. Lovely gesture."
Chloe Pink's journey from victim to advocate highlights the devastating real-world impact of online abuse and cyberbullying, while also showcasing a resilient path towards healing and helping others.
