Maria B vs. Turkish Influencer Turkan Ataye: Payment Dispute Sparks Social Media Storm
Apr 23, 2025
Karachi/Istanbul: A financial dispute between renowned Pakistani fashion designer Maria B and Turkish social media influencer Turkan Ataye has gone viral, with Turkan accusing Maria B’s team of failing to pay the agreed fee for a photoshoot in Türkiye. The controversy has ignited debates over influencer-brand contracts and payment transparency.
Root of the Conflict
Turkan Ataye, a Turkish digital creator who gained fame in Pakistan by creating Urdu-language content, claims:
- Breach of Contract: In 2025, Maria B’s team contacted Turkan for a fashion shoot in Türkiye, agreeing to pay per outfit—a standard practice in Turkish photoshoots.
- Delayed Payments: Despite completing the shoot, editing content, and promoting it on social media, Turkan alleges she has not received full payment even three months later.
- Shift in Payment Terms: Maria B’s team later claimed they usually pay “per reel” (per video), contradicting the original agreement.
Turkan’s Allegations
- Deleted Messages: Turkan claims Maria B deleted their chat history, complicating evidence.
- Avoidance Tactics: “Maria handed the matter to her manager and went silent,” Turkan stated in a viral video.
- Documented Proof: Turkan insists she has screenshots of the contract, messages, and payment discussions.
Industry and Social Media Reactions
- Freelancer Rights Debate: The dispute highlights gaps in contractual clarity between influencers and brands.
- Hashtags Trend: #MariaBvsTurkan and #InfluencerPayGap are rallying supporters for Turkan, with many calling for accountability.
Key Questions
- Was the agreement written or verbal?
- Why did Maria B’s team introduce a “per reel” payment model post-shoot?
- Will Turkan pursue legal action?
