Influencers, firms cut ties with former Bachelor Sam Wood after DV charges
As Australian influencer and reality TV star Sam Wood remains behind bars on the Sunshine Coast facing domestic violence charges, businesses and colleagues are cutting ties with him and his fitness empire.
Some of the country's most followed personalities have over the past 24 hours publicly emphasised that while they would not comment on any accusations, they have zero tolerance of domestic and family violence in all its forms.
Sam Wood is the face of a home fitness program. (Supplied: 28 by Sam Wood, Facebook)
Mr Wood was arrested at a property on Hastings Street in Noosa on Saturday night and was remanded in custody.
He is charged with the domestic violence offence of assault occasioning bodily harm and strangulation in a domestic setting.
The strangulation offence carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.
Sam Wood's lawyer Mathew Cuskelly speaks to the media outside the court. (ABC Sunshine Coast: Owen Jacques)
At Maroochydore Magistrates' Court on Monday, Mr Wood's matter was adjourned with no application made for bail.
His lawyer Mathew Cuskelly told media outside the court that Mr Wood would defend the charges.
From Bachelor to big-time
Mr Wood co-founded Australian Life Tech (ALT) in 2016, a year after his starring role on reality television program The Bachelor Australia.
Sam Wood starred as The Bachelor in 2015. (Supplied: The Bachelor Australia, Facebook)
The company went onto develop the 28 by Sam Wood exercise app and nutrition program.
Mr Wood has previously estimated it had 400,000 clients in its first six years of operation.
In 2022, ALT was bought by Melbourne company myDNA for $71 million and now trades as 28 Group under Australian pharmaceutical giant DBG.
As Mr Wood's matter went before court, 28 Group acting chief executive Mark Watkin confirmed on social media that the influencer was on "indefinite leave from his duties" while the allegations were investigated.
"We have all been shocked and saddened by the matters involving Sam Wood," Mr Watkin wrote in a statement.
"We have zero tolerance for domestic violence."
Fitness friends sever ties
Since news of the charges broke on Sunday afternoon, former corporate and fitness industry allies have moved quickly to sever ties.
Tiffiny Hall confirmed on social media she had stopped working with Sam Wood and his companies prior to any allegations. (Supplied: Instagram, tiffhall_xo)
Tiffiny Hall, who became a household name as a trainer on the Australian TV show The Biggest Loser, released a statement on social media that said she was not associated with Mr Wood or his company.
"My time with 28 by Sam Wood had already come to an end and I had moved on to focus on other projects. I have no ongoing role or involvement with the program,” she wrote on Instagram.
"I will continue to empower women to be safe, strong and support in any way I can."
Ready-made food company Foxes Den has also cut ties.
"Effective immediately, Foxes Den has ended its partnership with 28 by Sam Wood," the company wrote on social media.
"We're aware of the serious charges that have been reported, and while this matter is before the courts, we've made the decision to step away from this partnership."
Tammin Sursok she would "pause her partnership" with Sam Woods and his businesses. (Supplied: Instagram, @tammin_sursok)
Australian actress Tammin Sursok has also removed links between her and the accused influencer.
"In light of the reports, I have immediately paused my partnership with 28 by Sam Wood and removed related promotional content from my social channels while this matter is before the courts,"
she said.
Mr Wood is expected to appear in Maroochydore Magistrates' Court on Thursday, where his legal team said it intended to make an application for bail.
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