Texan fitness influencer Brittany Dawn strikes deal with state
North Texas Fitness Influencer Settles Lawsuit with State over Deceptive Business Practices
Brittany Dawn Davis, a well-known social media personality and fitness influencer, has reached a settlement with the state of Texas in a lawsuit over her fitness plan business. According to court documents, the state accused Davis of violating consumer protection laws and misleading followers with eating disorders.
The settlement comes just two weeks ahead of the scheduled trial in Dallas County, and although a final hearing to solidify the agreement has yet to be scheduled, the terms of the settlement have not been made public. Davis’ attorneys and the Texas attorney general’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment, but the attorney general’s office was seeking fines and court costs of up to $1 million.
The lawsuit centers on Davis’ business, Brittany Dawn Fitness, which sold online fitness packages ranging from $92 for a one-time consultation to $300 for three months of coaching and check-ins. The state alleged that the plans were not personalized as promised, and Davis did not provide the coaching and check-ins as advertised.
Davis also positioned herself on social media as having overcome her eating disorders with nutrition and exercise, leading clients to believe she was trained to deal with such conditions. But the lawsuit alleges that some clients were given weight loss plans when they needed to gain weight and that Davis denied accepting customers with eating disorders despite at least 14 refund requests mentioning such conditions.
One former client, who at one point weighed less than 80 pounds, said she chose Davis because she advertised herself as an “eating disorder trooper,” while another said she nearly passed out from inadequate nutrition.
The Texas Attorney General’s Office began receiving complaints and refund requests in 2019, and Davis apologized on Good Morning America that year and shut down her fitness website bdawnfit.com. Since then, Davis has shifted her focus to social media platforms and now posts inspirational and Christian content, maintaining a large following on Instagram and TikTok.
Despite the settlement, the case serves as a reminder for influencers and businesses to be transparent and truthful in their advertising and business practices. Consumer protection laws exist to prevent deception and protect vulnerable individuals, and businesses that violate these laws can face significant repercussions.
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