Health influencer Victoria Everest (also known in some circles as Victoria Everest Ekong) has come under heavy scrutiny following accusations from Dr Aris Latham that she hijacked his Instagram account and much of his business. According to Latham, the dispute is not limited to ordinary disagreement but involves alleged misappropriation, manipulation, and misrepresentation over nearly a year of collaboration.

The controversy builds upon more public backlash already facing Everest. In a video that surfaced recently, she is said to allegedly admit to fabricating a rape allegation. That revelation has provoked widespread condemnation and added reputational damage to her profile.

Dr Aris (sometimes styled Aris LaTham) is a Panamanian born health and wellness figure who has built a reputation around raw, plant based cuisine and holistic dietary philosophy. He is widely known as the founder of Sunfired Cuisine (or Sunfired Foods) and the Sunfired Culinary Institute.

Latham’s public profile claims that he is self taught in food science, nutrition, and holistic wellbeing, drawing on a personal library of non fiction works and decades of experiential research. He has spoken at international wellness events and is often billed as a pioneer of ethical raw food movements globally. His social media presence is substantial, and his brand revolves around retreats, online education, and recipes consistent with raw or sun powered food philosophies.

Latham says he began working with Everest in April 2024. Her stated role was to manage his marketing, show him growth strategies, and build his social presence and revenue streams. Over this period, Latham alleges, Everest gradually assumed management control of his Instagram, devices, communications, and business operations.

He estimates that when she joined, his Instagram follower count was around 690,000, and by the end of that year, Everest had helped push that to about 1 million. Latham credits her with rapid growth but insists that the means were deceptive.

He claims that for about ten months, she had "total control" of his Instagram, computer, cell phones, passwords, and communications. In his words:

‍“She was in total control of my Instagram, my computer, my cell phones, all of these things were in her hands.”

Latham further alleges that much of what Everest claimed she created or published was actually generated by artificial intelligence tools such as ChatGPT. He said:

‍“Everything she does is A.I., ChatGpt, XYZ.”

He also accuses her of attempting to copyright recipes not originally hers. When questioned on their origin, Everest allegedly responded:

‍“I just went online and pulled best food recipes.”

Latham says he refused to use them because he did not wish to take credit for work that was not his. Tensions reportedly escalated when financial discussions emerged. Latham states that in the year before Everest’s involvement, he had made about US $360,000 (approximately £296,000) on his own. With Everest’s participation over ten months, an additional US $150,000 (approximately £123,000) was generated, but he asserts that his baseline earnings remained at least that £296,000.

Both parties decided to organise a health retreat. According to Latham, Everest embedded herself into every facet of the planning and execution. He says:

“She embedded herself into everything that I was doing. Photoshoot for the book, she’s there, and I’m paying the air fairs and everything.”

He claims that while expenses were borne from the income that came in, Everest was ever present including in publicity and promotion.

Latham continues:

"She’s got my two phones and my computer. Everything that I had on my computer, she had access to it. All my passwords. Everything.”

He alleges she secretly locked herself into his systems, created multiple Google sign ins, and masked her tracks. When Latham finally reviewed his devices and platforms, he discovered she had changed the link in his Instagram bio to redirect to a payment platform she controlled, so that any money made via that link would flow to her. He is quoted:

‍“She put in a payment platform so that all money went to her.”

When he confronted her, Everest purportedly claimed the system was secure and that nothing could be touched until the end of the programme. Latham says that was the moment he realised he “got scammed.” At that point, he cut all communications.

Latham also claims that the financial impact of Everest’s alleged actions was severe. He states that by secretly changing the payment link in his Instagram bio and diverting it to a platform under her control, she positioned herself to siphon off tens of thousands of pounds. According to Latham, the link alteration could have cost him around £90,000 in lost income, money that should have gone directly to his business. He insists that whenever he questioned her about it, Everest brushed off concerns with excuses, saying the funds could not be touched until the end of the programme and that she was “managing the whole thing.” Latham says this was the final turning point, leading him to cut all communications and sever their relationship.

He says the breaking point was in February 2025, during a juice cleanse event. Discussions to sign a formal contract collapsed. Everest reportedly delayed repeatedly, citing legal or logistical issues. They never formalised an agreement, according to Latham’s claim.

Moreover, Latham says Everest positioned herself prominently in his public image. He states: ‍

“She hijacked my entire business. The photoshoot for the book, she was there front and centre. At least 50 % of photos for the book was of her.”

He says he requested the photographer to “sanitise” the images to remove her presence.

He also alleges that Everest cultivated direct relationships with his clients or students:

‍“She built a relationship with all my 15 students that came. Any brother that looked like he had some money in his pocket, she was dangling the silicone in his face.”

Latham then addresses claims made by someone named Jason, a man Everest had a personal history with. According to Latham, Jason had previously warned him about Everest — alleging she had scammed him in the past and calling her “bad news.” Latham says Everest had been pregnant by Jason, and that Jason allegedly went as far as to threaten her life. He recounts:

‍“She was two months pregnant for him … he tried to kill her.”

In response to the alleged threat, Latham says he tried to protect her by distancing her from resort environments, even though he believed parts of Jason’s story. When he confronted Everest about Jason’s warnings, she allegedly brushed them off, calling Jason “gossip” and saying:

‍“He’s got feminine energy in him.”

Latham says he took her at her word and dismissed Jason’s warnings, at least initially. But during the retreat, when issues with the payment link surfaced, he decided to quietly cut ties. He changed all his passwords and revoked her access completely.

‍“I didn’t tell her anything. I just cut all communications. I haven’t spoken to her since.”

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Victoria Everest has since responded to the viral video, calling it a moment from her past and stating that she has made “mistakes” that do not define who she is today. She has promised to release a formal statement, while emphasising her commitment to personal growth, spiritual grounding, and serving her community.

However, at the time of writing, Everest has not responded publicly to the latest wave of allegations, including claims of manipulation, financial misconduct, and targeting clients and collaborators. As the backlash intensifies and more details come to light, many are now questioning whether her upcoming statement will also address these claims directly.

With the pressure mounting, the public and those allegedly impacted are still waiting for answers.