Marla Maples Tried to Score Free Beauty Services for the Inauguration

A stylist claims that Marla Maples, the ex-wife of President-elect Donald Trump, asked for free hair styling for the inauguration in exchange for publicity, the Washington Post reported.

Tricia Kelly, a freelance hair stylist, told the Post that a longtime client connected her with Maples, who was looking for someone to do her and daughter Tiffany Trump‘s hair for inauguration. Kelly says that she was interested in the gig, but that Maples‘ team didn’t have the budget to cover to Kelly’s standard rate: $150 to travel in addition to hair styling costs. Kelly and Maples’ team eventually agreed to a flat fee of $200. But then Maples’ assistant asked Kelly if she would be willing to do their hair for free in exchange for exposure on social media. “I was stunned,” Kelly told the Post. “I told them . . . I work for a fee, not for free.”

Such agreements are quite typical in Hollywood, where actors are often loaned clothes and services in exchange for publicity. (Maples is a model and actress.) Maples’ alleged ask isn’t unethical, either. While Trump will have to report any gifts over $300 as president, Maples and Tiffany aren’t required to abide by those rules, according to the Post.

But Kelly said that those arrangements are rare in Washington. “People on staff — the incoming White House and the outgoing one — pay full price. It seemed like they were trying to see how much they could get for free based on their names,” Kelly told the Post. And the Trump family has been criticized in the past for using the presidency for their own profit.

A representative for Maples declined to comment to the Post.

[The Washington Post]