Binky Felstead appeared completely unfazed as she stepped out into the spotlight of New York City — just hours after being pulled into a very public row over claims she asked for a free birthday cake in exchange for social media promotion.
The former Made In Chelsea star, 35, shared a series of polished Instagram Story snaps from her family holiday, offering fans a glimpse into her picture-perfect getaway despite the controversy brewing back in the UK.
Among the posts were a stop at the iconic Grand Central Station and a candid moment of her eight-year-old daughter India posing beside a futuristic Tesla Cybertruck — a world away from the heated online debate unfolding at home.
The backlash was sparked by Reshmi Bennett, the owner of luxury London bakery Anges de Sucre, who alleged that Binky’s team had reached out requesting a “gifted” cake for her son Wilder’s third birthday in exchange for an Instagram post.
Screenshots shared by the baker appeared to show the initial enquiry, which described a “yellow train cake” and proposed an “Instagram collaboration” with an account boasting 1.4 million followers.
When Reshmi attempted to turn the request into a paid order — asking for budget details and delivery information — Binky’s team reportedly doubled down, replying: they were interested in collaborating on the cake, meaning it would be gifted in exchange for social media exposure.
Rather than responding sharply, Reshmi said she highlighted the “optics” of the situation, suggesting it might reflect better on the star to simply pay for the product. In response, Binky’s team acknowledged she had made “a valid point about optics” and said they would consult the star before proceeding.
But the situation escalated quickly when Reshmi took to Instagram, publishing the email exchange and later naming Binky directly — turning a private conversation into a viral talking point.
In a tongue-in-cheek move, the baker even created a spoof GoFundMe page asking for £1.4 million — a playful jab at both Binky’s reported net worth and her social media following. She joked that if each follower contributed £1, the bakery could produce “the most incredible yellow train cake imaginable” while still paying its bills.
Binky’s representatives have since defended the situation, insisting the enquiry was simply a “standard contra deal” — a common practice in influencer marketing where products are exchanged for exposure.
They added that Binky was not personally involved in the email exchange and expressed disappointment that what they described as a “private and friendly enquiry” had been made public.
The statement continued that such collaborations are “widely used within the industry and usually mutually beneficial,” while also stressing respect for businesses that choose to decline.
Despite the growing chatter online, Binky’s social media presence told a different story — one of calm, curated family moments and a celebrity seemingly determined not to let the noise interrupt her holiday.
