Skye Wheatley, a former Big Brother Australia contestant, has characterized the past 48 hours as the "worst two days" of her life after being charged with mid-range drink-driving on the Gold Coast. The 32-year-old influencer shared a series of emotional updates on Instagram, detailing her processing of the incident's aftermath.
Wheatley expressed gratitude to a friend, Tara Stafford, for her support during what she described as an "intensely distressing period." "I'm actually still processing what has gone down in the last two days, never felt so anxious, sad, numb and in shock before..." Wheatley wrote on Tuesday, according to the Daily Mail. She indicated that she was contemplating sharing the full account of events with her followers, noting her continued shock.
Despite her distress, Wheatley and Stafford appeared to be attempting to maintain a positive outlook. "We have some crazy locking in to do tomorrow, if you don't laugh you'll cry and what doesn't kill you makes you stronger," Wheatley stated. She also shared an image of herself in bed with chocolates and sweets, stating that her parents and Stafford had brought them to her. "I have not stopped stuffing my face, I dunno what's going on, eating my feelings I guess but it's so wholesome at least," she captioned the post.
Wheatley's emotional posts follow her initial public statement on the charge, in which she expressed profound self-disappointment and readiness to face the consequences. She reportedly registered a blood alcohol reading of 0.119 on Saturday while parked outside a McDonald's. She is scheduled to appear in Southport Magistrates Court on August 24.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, Wheatley acknowledged making a "really poor decision" and expressed a hope that her public disclosure would deter others from driving under the influence. "There isn't an excuse for what happened. I take responsibility for my actions and I know I have to deal with the consequences," she said. Wheatley explained that she had been parked for approximately four hours in an attempt to sober up when a passerby alerted the police. Officers then approached her and administered a breathalyser test.
While acknowledging contextual factors, Wheatley emphasized that they did not excuse her behavior. "I don't want this to become about making excuses. I made the wrong decision. That's what I have to take responsibility for, and that's what I'm doing," she stated. Reports indicate that Wheatley has sought professional support and has been provided with resources for therapy and medical services. She indicated a desire to examine her relationship with alcohol and implement changes to prevent future incidents. "I don't just want to say sorry because I've been caught in a bad situation and then forget about it. I want to learn something from this and actually make changes so I'm never sitting in this position again," she said.
Wheatley, who first gained public recognition on Big Brother Australia in 2014, urged others to exercise caution. "If you're questioning whether you're okay to drive, don't," she advised. "Get an Uber, call someone, leave the car where it is. Whatever inconvenience that causes is nothing compared to what can happen when you make the wrong decision."