British model Chloe Ayling has defended making money from her alleged kidnapping ordeal, saying she needs to support herself after giving up modelling. The 20-year-old claims she was drugged and held hostage for six days in Milan by a group calling itself Black Death after being lured to a fake photoshoot.
Speaking on ITV's Good Morning Britain, Ayling confirmed she will receive a “few thousand” pounds for a book and has been paid for some interviews. When questioned by presenter Piers Morgan about appearing to exploit the situation for financial gain before the trial, she replied: “No, because I am not modelling anymore. I am not with an agent, so I have to do something in the meantime.”
Ayling has faced criticism from some who accuse her of inventing the incident as a publicity stunt. She insisted the truth will emerge when the accused men appear in court. Her alleged captor, Lukasz Herba, 30, is in custody in Milan after delivering her to the British Embassy.
At a hearing in London, District Judge Paul Goldspring ordered the extradition of Michal Herba, 36, the brother of Lukasz, to Italy to face trial. The Polish brothers and other unidentified accomplices are accused of kidnapping Ayling and demanding a 300,000 euro (£264,000) ransom.
