Gemma O’Neill has publicly responded to recent media coverage linking her social media absence to business and industry developments, using an emotional video to address what she described as inaccurate reporting and personal circumstances behind her decision to step back.
The Sydney-based agency founder and close friend of radio host Jackie O Henderson had faced scrutiny after deleting her Instagram account, with some reports linking the move to the collapse of her business, Gemmie Agency, which entered voluntary liquidation in November, owing $546,000.
In a video posted online, O’Neill said she felt compelled to respond directly after a series of reports about her situation.
“So I know you might have seen the media coverage about me recently because there’s been a series of stories that have been written that, to be honest, are pretty hurtful and in many parts inaccurate, and I need to be clear here that there are legal reasons why I can’t go into detail, which is why I haven’t, and it’s also why I won’t.”
She maintained that while she could not comment on specifics, she stood by her professional record.
“But what I will say is this, is that I stand by my integrity, I stand by my work, and I stand by how I’ve conducted myself in business over a very long career, and what’s been particularly hard is seeing assumptions made about things like me apparently going quiet.”
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Personal circumstances behind social media exit
O’Neill said her absence from Instagram had been mischaracterised, pointing instead to online abuse and personal challenges.
“The reality was that I was receiving a level of online abuse that was quite frankly disgusting and felt very scary, and so I made the decision to step back from my personal Instagram to protect my mental health while I was pregnant.”
She also revealed she had experienced a personal loss during the period.
“Obviously, since then, I’ve been going through something very personal with the loss of a baby.”
O’Neill added that her decision to step back was not connected to any attempt to avoid scrutiny.
“None of that has anything to do with me having something to hide. It was about me taking care of myself during a very difficult moment.”
Drawing a line under speculation
The statement also included criticism of the tone of some reporting, with O’Neill suggesting coverage had moved beyond standard journalism.
“It was about me taking care of myself during a very difficult moment, and I guess what I think is disappointing is when reporting crosses the line from journalism into something that feels far more like creating noise or even bullying, and that’s just not something that I’m ever going to engage with.”
She concluded by signalling she would not continue to engage publicly on the issue.
“I know who I am, the people who matter in my life know who I am, and that matters a lot more to me than a clickbait headline. So I’m not going to give it oxygen beyond this, but I just wanted you to hear directly from me.”
Gemma O’Neill and Jackie ‘O’ Henderson.
Looking ahead to community and conversation
O’Neill also pointed to upcoming commitments, including her Her Best Life retreat, which she said would provide a sense of connection during a difficult period.
She said the event, scheduled for just over two weeks’ time, had taken on added significance given how she is feeling, describing the community attending as “the most beautiful, warm, loving, friendly, fun group of people” and something she expects will be important in the weeks ahead.
“I really can’t think of anything more special than being in a room with our community,” she said, adding that she is “very, very much looking forward to seeing all of you there who are coming.”
O’Neill also confirmed she is preparing for a high-profile interview as part of the event with Meghan, Duchess of Sussex.
She said she had long admired how Meghan handles public scrutiny, noting there were “a lot” of questions she wanted to ask during the conversation.
“Obviously, I’m very much looking forward to interviewing Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, too,” she said.
“I have been in awe of how she handles all of the public scrutiny she receives as well, so there’s a lot that I want to ask her.”