Instagram star Essena O'Neill who recently quit social media pleads for donations because she can't fund her lifestyle and pay her rent

A teenage Instagram star who quit social media despite earning thousands of pounds is appealing for donations because she 'can't afford' her own lifestyle. Essena O’Neill, 18, became famous for posting beautiful pictures of herself while endorsing products to her fans - claiming to make up to $2,000 Australian dollars (£933) for a single post. She ditched social media after admitting she is "worried about the message" she is sending to her young fans. But now Essena has launched her own website along with a page for people to donate cash to support her lifestyle instead. 

 

Harsh reality: She broke down in tears after watching her story go viral

Speaking in a video on the site, she said: "I can't afford rent right now - it's like I am embarrassed to admit that I need help.

"If this is of value to you then please support me because I can't afford my own real life."

"I just want younger girls to know this isn’t candid life, or cool or inspirational. It’s contrived perfection made to get attention.

Another now reads: "I have lived through screens for so long. TV, phone, laptop... I wasn't careful and they controlled me. Even more, I learnt to love the addiction, it was easy to be numbed."