AITA for exposing an “influencer” to her family after she demanded a free painting and $200 on top of that, threatening to tell her followers not to buy from me if I refused?

Artists know all too well the struggle of people expecting free work in exchange for “exposure.” But what happens when the person making these demands is a family member—and they won’t take no for an answer?

OP is an artist who recently completed a paid commission for a friend. Inspired by that, her mom’s goddaughter, “Jen”, requested a painting for her father—except she wanted it for free. When OP declined, Jen escalated the situation, not only insulting OP but also dragging her parents into it. Things spiraled further when Jen launched a social media attack, leaving OP wondering if she was wrong for exposing her behavior. Let’s break it all down.

‘AITA for exposing an “influencer” to her family after she demanded a free painting and $200 on top of that, threatening to tell her followers not to buy from me if I refused?’

Expert Opinion:

The Myth of “Exposure” as Payment

The idea that exposure is a valid form of payment is one of the biggest scams in the creative industry. According to the Freelancers Union, 73% of creative professionals have been asked to work for free at some point in their careers, often under the false promise of gaining visibility. The reality? Exposure rarely translates into paid opportunities.

Jen’s claim that her followers would buy OP’s art is a classic example of this tactic. If her promotion was that valuable, why wouldn’t she just pay for the painting herself and profit off the sales? The truth is, these offers typically benefit the “influencer” far more than the artist.

Entitlement and Manipulation: When Family Becomes Toxic

Jen didn’t just ask for a favor—she attempted to guilt-trip and manipulate OP into compliance. When OP refused, she escalated to insults, financial shaming, and even weaponizing OP’s relationship with her parents.

Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a psychologist specializing in narcissistic behavior, explains that manipulative people often use guilt, public shaming, and emotional leverage to control others. By bringing OP’s parents into the argument and attacking her military discharge, Jen was trying to emotionally break OP down to get what she wanted.

The moment someone demands free work while simultaneously degrading your skills, they aren’t offering an opportunity—they’re exploiting you.

How to Handle Entitled “Influencers”

For artists (and anyone dealing with similar entitled demands), here’s how to handle situations like this:

Firm boundaries matter – OP was right to say no. Free work should be a personal choice, not a demand.
“Exposure” is not a currency – If someone won’t pay you but claims your work is valuable, they’re contradicting themselves.
Public shaming is a control tactic – Jen’s attempt to ruin OP’s reputation is classic manipulation. People who act like this often double down when called out.
Toxic family should be confronted or cut off – OP’s mother siding with Jen suggests favoritism and emotional manipulation. If she won’t support OP’s boundaries, it may be time for some distance.

By standing her ground, OP is protecting herself from further exploitation.