Linda Stinson, the founder of Irish beauty brand Bellamianta, has issued a public apology after a video of her involved in a heated confrontation at a hotel went viral on social media. The footage, recorded at the four-star Redcastle Hotel in Moville, County Donegal, shows the beauty entrepreneur using offensive slurs and making threatening remarks toward another guest.
The 43-year-old businesswoman, who also founded the Iconic Bronze tanning range, apologized in a statement posted to social media on September 7, 2026, saying her language was “inappropriate and entirely unacceptable.” The incident has attracted widespread attention due to Stinson’s profile as one of Ireland’s leading beauty entrepreneurs.
Who Is Linda Stinson?
Linda Stinson is the founder and owner of Bellamianta, a luxury tanning, skincare, and cosmetics brand she established in 2015. The company was founded with a mission to develop “clean, alcohol-free, high-performing formulas that deliver flawless results while caring for the skin,” according to the company.
Stinson, who hails from County Tyrone in Northern Ireland, launched her business after what she described as a “disaster wedding day tan” gave her the idea for developing products with nurturing ingredients. She initially operated the business from her garage before expanding to a unit in Pomeroy, County Tyrone.
In addition to Bellamianta, Stinson developed the budget-friendly Iconic Bronze tanning range. The brands were reportedly on track to reach £11 million (approximately $14 million) in sales in 2025, according to Irish outlet Business Plus. Bellamianta also holds an exclusive tanning and cosmetics contract with RTÉ’s Dancing with the Stars, providing beauty products to Irish celebrities and their dancing partners for nine consecutive years.
Stinson has been recognized with numerous awards for her business leadership and performance, and has appeared on the QVC shopping channel to promote her products. She opened Bellamianta’s first store at the Rushmere Shopping Centre in County Armagh earlier this year.
What Happened at the Hotel?
The incident occurred at the Redcastle Hotel, a four-star establishment in Moville, County Donegal, Ireland. The footage, which went viral after being posted online, shows Stinson involved in a heated exchange with a male guest who appeared to be waiting to collect a pizza in the hotel lobby.
According to reports, the argument began with an exchange about each other’s clothing. When the man asked why she was still speaking to him, Stinson responded with a remark telling him to “shut your mouth” and adding, “I will kill you.”
The video also captured Stinson using additional offensive language, including telling the man to “go and f*** yourself,” and calling him a “fing rod” and a “fing scumbag” before launching into a rant in which she used a derogatory term for disabled people. She also reportedly denied an accusation from the man that he pushed her and insulted his appearance after he told her to “button it.”
Stinson raged: “Sliding about there in your fing sliders and your tattoos in the back of your fing legs. It’s the only pain you’ll ever get in your life cos you never f***ing knew what pain was.” The man then appeared to pick up a pizza and thank the barman.
The Viral Video Brings the Incident Into Public View
The existence of video evidence transformed what might have remained a private hotel dispute into a public controversy. The footage spread rapidly across social media platforms, exposing Stinson’s behavior to a wide audience.
When public figures are involved in confrontations that are recorded and shared online, the scrutiny can be intense. Viral clips may show only a portion of an encounter, making context crucial. However, the language and threats captured in the video were undeniably recorded.
Linda Stinson Apologizes
On September 7, 2026, Stinson issued a public apology via social media in response to the controversy. Her statement acknowledged the seriousness of the incident and the impact of her words.
“Many of you will have seen the video footage of me published by the media at the weekend,” Stinson wrote in a message posted on social media. “I want to sincerely apologise for the language I used. It was inappropriate and entirely unacceptable.”
What Linda Stinson Said in Her Apology
Stinson’s apology contained several key elements that are worth examining.
Taking Responsibility
Stinson made it clear that she accepted full responsibility for her actions. “I take full responsibility for my actions and am committed to learning from this experience,” she said in her statement.
Acknowledging Harm
She also recognized that her words had caused hurt and distress. “I recognise that my words have caused hurt and distress, and I am deeply sorry,” Stinson wrote.
Commitment to Learning
The beauty entrepreneur expressed a commitment to personal growth and learning from the incident. “I am truly sorry,” she concluded.
Industry insiders said the episode could potentially damage Bellamianta’s reputation. The Redcastle Hotel was contacted for comment on the video.
What We Know About Bellamianta and Iconic Bronze
Bellamianta is described as one of Ireland’s leading luxury tanning, skincare, and cosmetics brands. The company emphasizes clean, alcohol-free formulas that deliver results while caring for the skin.
Iconic Bronze, the budget-friendly tanning range, was developed by Stinson as a more accessible option. Both brands are part of Stinson’s business portfolio.
The brands have a significant presence in the Irish beauty market and have been recognized with numerous awards. Bellamianta’s exclusive contract with RTÉ’s Dancing with the Stars has provided significant exposure for the brand over nine years.
Has Bellamianta Responded?
At the time of publication, there was no additional confirmed company statement beyond Stinson’s personal apology. While Stinson’s brands are closely associated with her personal identity, her statement did not address whether the businesses themselves were affected.
The Redcastle Hotel was contacted for comment on the video, but no further response was confirmed in available reporting.
Why the Story Has Attracted Attention
The controversy has generated significant interest for several reasons. First, Stinson’s public profile as a successful beauty entrepreneur has made her a recognizable figure in the Irish business community. Her journey from operating a business from her garage to building a multi-million-pound brand has been widely celebrated.
Second, the content of the video itself is deeply troubling. The use of offensive slurs and threats has drawn widespread criticism and prompted questions about accountability for public figures.
Third, the viral nature of the video has amplified the story beyond traditional media channels. Social media users have widely shared and discussed the footage, contributing to the controversy’s reach.
Viral Videos and Public Accountability
The Stinson case highlights the power of viral video to hold public figures accountable for their behavior. When private individuals find themselves in public controversies, the consequences can be immediate and severe.
For business owners whose personal brand is closely tied to their company’s identity, viral controversies can pose particular risks. Industry insiders said the episode could damage Bellamianta, which opened its first store at the Rushmere Shopping Centre earlier this year.
However, it is important to remember that viral clips may show only part of an encounter. Reporters and readers alike must distinguish between what the footage shows and what has been independently confirmed.
What Happens Next for Linda Stinson?
At this stage, no further developments have been confirmed beyond Stinson’s apology. The full impact on her businesses remains unclear, though industry observers have noted the potential for reputational damage.
Whether additional statements will be issued by Stinson, her companies, or the Redcastle Hotel is not known. Legal repercussions, if any, would require official confirmation.
What is clear is that the incident has already affected Stinson’s public image. How she and her businesses navigate the aftermath will likely be watched closely.
Why Accurate Context Matters in a Viral Controversy
This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of context in viral controversies. Viral clips may not capture the entirety of an encounter, and public reaction is not the same as verified evidence.
In the Stinson case, the footage clearly shows offensive language and threats, which she has acknowledged. However, what happened before the recording began or the full context of the altercation may not be fully visible.
Reporters and responsible commentators should attribute allegations carefully and avoid jumping to conclusions based solely on viral footage. The goal should be to report the facts accurately while acknowledging what remains unknown.
FAQs
Who is Linda Stinson?
Linda Stinson is a beauty entrepreneur from County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. She is the founder and owner of Bellamianta, a luxury tanning, skincare, and cosmetics brand, and also developed the Iconic Bronze tanning range.
What happened to Linda Stinson at the hotel?
Stinson was recorded at the Redcastle Hotel in Moville, County Donegal, Ireland, involved in a heated confrontation with another hotel guest. The video shows her using offensive slurs and making threatening remarks.
Why did Linda Stinson apologize?
Stinson issued a public apology on September 7, 2026, after a video of her behavior at the hotel went viral. She said her language was “inappropriate and entirely unacceptable” and acknowledged that her words caused hurt and distress.
What was shown in the viral video?
The viral video shows Stinson in an exchange with a male guest at the Redcastle Hotel, during which she used offensive slurs and told the man “I will kill you.”
What companies did Linda Stinson found?
Linda Stinson founded Bellamianta in 2015 and later developed the Iconic Bronze tanning range. Both are beauty brands focused on tanning and skincare products.
What did Linda Stinson say in her apology?
Stinson said: “I want to sincerely apologise for the language I used. It was inappropriate and entirely unacceptable. I recognise that my words have caused hurt and distress, and I am deeply sorry. I take full responsibility for my actions and am committed to learning from this experience.”
Has Bellamianta responded to the controversy?
There was no additional confirmed company response beyond Stinson’s personal apology at the time of publication. The Redcastle Hotel was contacted for comment.
Where did the Linda Stinson hotel incident happen?
The incident happened at the Redcastle Hotel, a four-star hotel in Moville, County Donegal, Ireland.