The timeless Bollywood icon, Zeenat Aman, recently shared her not-so-candid thoughts on feeling undervalued by luxury brands. Breaking her silence, she highlighted the industry’s bias and the need for greater recognition. Her revelations have sparked conversations about ageism and respect in the world of high-end fashion and endorsements among netizens. Let’s hear Zeenat Aman’s take on what led her to break out on the internet.
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On “What I’m Worth” ft. Zeenat Aman
On a gloomy afternoon, July 23rd, 2024, Zeenat Aman shook the internet with a post calling out luxury brands for underpaying and undervaluing her loyalty and patience. Her caption sparked an important conversation about fairness and respect in high-end collaborations.
“I can’t tell you my precise worth, but I know when I’m being undervalued,” the veteran actress boldly declared in the caption.
She shared her frustrations with unprofessional invites, rude emails, and shady proposals from luxury brands offering low fees for endorsements. “Last minute invitations that the organizer forgot to edit (and which are addressed to another celebrity who must have declined) are mildly insulting. Impolite emails with minimal details and brusque “share commercials” are infuriating,” stated Aman.
Unmasking The Reality Of Luxury Brands
While praising her as a legendary personality, these luxury brands have fairly failed to compensate her despite their massive profits and versatile experience. Zeenat emphasized her self-respect and worth, stating it far exceeds the price of a luxury product.
“In their outreach to me, they do not fail to express their admiration, with generous terms such as “icon” and ‘fashion inspiration.’ But when it comes to actually compensating me for my time, energy, reputation, and reach… the well runs dry. I am over 70 years old, and I have held my own in this industry for over half a century. I have a social media audience that is not only entirely organic but also beautifully engaged. I am certainly worth more than the price of a designer handbag or high-heel shoe,” she expressed.
Zeenat’s Squad Has Her Back!
Right after the post went viral, Zeenat’s squad including Bollywood celebrities like Archana Puran Singh came in as support for her and commented, “Thank you.. and thank you again Zee❤️So it’s not just me who seethes at these insults of oversight or lack of etiquette. You have put it out here so well on behalf of us ALL!” Another comment from versatile actress Shamita Shetty came in, “Love ! Love ! Love !❤️❤️❤️”
How Much Does A Creator Or Celebrity Make Through Brand Collabs?
Brand collaborations have skyrocketed, with creators and celebrities partnering with luxury brands for hefty paychecks. Top influencers can potentially earn INR 5 lakhs to INR 50 lakhs per post, while celebrities like Zeenat Aman can command INR 50 lakhs to INR 3 crores per campaign. However, many still face unfair treatment, with some receiving little to no payment for their work.
Ultimately, Zeenat’s post highlighted the dark side of luxury brand operations, where even established celebrities face unfair treatment, and emphasized the need for them to recognize and respect the value of creators and compensate for their worth.
