Anna Adamyan on Oliver Pocher: “Like a punch in the pit of the stomach”

interview

Ms. Adamyan, at the beginning of October you launched an advertising post on Instagram with the words: “Slowly but surely I’m on the up. I’m finally feeling better again and, above all, I’m myself – finally again.” What was the context of the sentences?
The sentences referred to a perfectly normal flu, which slowed me down for several days. After I got better, I was just happy to be able to go back to work and go about my normal life – that’s what the post was about.

The comedian Oliver Pocher commented on your posting in his Insta story: “And if you turn your miscarriage into a discount code, the LOW POINT has been reached.” When did you find out about this?
Within a very short time, my community sent me a screenshot of his story directly. I just got back from filming my SWR documentary about the unfulfilled desire to have children. I was already emotionally touched that day anyway – because of the topic. With his accusation he poured oil on the fire.

You have suffered several miscarriages, most recently at the end of last year. What did you feel when you read Pocher’s words?
It was like a punch in the stomach! To this day it is incomprehensible to me how one can draw such absurd conclusions. Apart from the fact that these lines do not correspond to the truth and are not funny, it hurt me to have to read these lines. In addition, he not only hurt me, but also my followers, who had or have to experience similar suffering.

Shortly thereafter, in a post, you reported on the numerous hostilities you had received. Do you think the insults are related to Pocher?
Definitive. First of all, it overlapped in time and secondly, some of the users who wrote ugly comments refer directly to him. Some people even accused me of making up the flu to talk myself out of it. One should not forget that he has around 1.7 million followers on Instagram alone, but also on Facebook with 1.6 million people, almost the same number of people and it was posted there directly. Even though the story was only online for a few hours, you can imagine the consequences that had for me when one or the other jumped on me.

At the weekend you announced via Instagram that you had taken legal action and spoke of “said comedian”. Why didn’t you mention the name Oliver Pocher?
To begin with, I have not mentioned or spoken his name myself and neither will nor do I wish to do so.

What exactly is the fact that you accuse Pocher of?
He just claimed and spread false facts and at the end of the day it just depends on me, of which there are also examples. Although I was able to clearly refute it, the accusation sticks with me to this day. And that is still reflected in the comments. That is also why I expect a correction and apology. He can’t always point the finger at others and if he makes mistakes himself, he doesn’t admit them. Because he also demands this responsibility from us influencers, for example when we advertise products or communicate certain topics. It would also have been his duty to check its content for accuracy beforehand.

You have reported receiving letters from several influencers. How many were there – and what was the content?
Most told me about their personal experiences with him, which were anything but nice. Apparently, the fear of taking action against this person, whether legally or defending oneself online, outweighs the fear of further waves of hate.

With all the negative experiences you’ve had on social media, what gives you the strength to keep going?
My environment, my husband, family and friends give me an incredible amount of strength. You are always there for me. Regardless of that, clarification is much more important to me than all the negative comments. Of course, such hurtful comments don’t leave me cold, on the other hand I want to continue not only for myself but also for others. More awareness and empathy must be ensured, especially when it comes to miscarriage and the unfulfilled desire to have children. This is particularly evident in the current problem that those affected cannot request maternity leave if the loss occurred before the 24th week of pregnancy – only with a lot of luck is there a sick note. On average, one in three women suffers a miscarriage. One in six couples is involuntarily childless. Such high numbers, and yet the topics receive too little attention. But when false claims are made that polarize, everyone pounces.

Editor’s note: We asked Oliver Pocher for a statement on the allegations. He has not commented on this.