Sunrise panelist Amanda Rose has announced her departure from the morning breakfast show, citing an ultimatum that demanded she remain "exclusive" to the program while still being unpaid for her contributions. Rose, who was a regular on the show's "Hot Topics" segment for three years, stated on Instagram that she was given a choice: agree to exclusivity without pay or have her appearances reduced.
"After three years on Hot Topics, unpaid, I was given a choice: be exclusive to them, still unpaid, or have my appearances pulled back. I chose to walk away," Rose shared on Saturday. She added, "Being grateful for an opportunity doesn't mean accepting an ultimatum that limits your value elsewhere."
Rose, who is also the founder and CEO of Entrepreneurial & Small Business Women Australia, expressed frustration that small business owners and advocates are often told they will receive "exposure" as compensation, arguing that exposure is not a substitute for respect. "Know your worth," she advised.
In a video accompanying her announcement, Rose elaborated on the situation, stating that she was informed by the network, "Hey, I noticed that you're doing other media... We would like you to be exclusive." The condition for this exclusivity, she explained, was that it would remain unpaid. "Essentially, I was told, 'Be exclusive with us unpaid, or we'll pull back your appearance.' It's an ultimatum."
She further criticized the demand, noting, "The audacity of wanting me to be exclusive, then limits my ability to build my profile elsewhere. So the commercial benefit sits with a larger organisation and I'm carrying all the risk." Rose concluded that as a small business owner and advocate for women, it was her "absolute duty to walk the walk and say, 'Excuse me, huh?'"
Her decision and explanation garnered significant online support, including a comment from former reality television star Ash Pollard who wrote, "Bravo." Other users praised her stance, with one calling it "Queen behaviour."
A spokesperson for Channel Seven responded to Rose's claims, stating, "Like many commentators, Amanda's appearances were unpaid. She was absolutely welcome to continue appearing on other morning programs and remain part of the broader rotation of Sunrise guests, just not weekly. She chose what worked best for her and we respect that."