The Bachelor’s Bella Varelis is called out for using another Instagram Influencer’s photo

Bella Varelis is being called out for using another social media influencer’s photo.

On Wednesday, the 26-year-old surprised many of her followers when she shared a romantic, festive photo on her Instagram Story.

While many believed it was a relationship announcement from the Bachelor runner-up, Instagram account Celeb Spellcheck discovered on Thursday the image in fact belonged to Moscow-based influencer Ekaterina Mezenova.

Social media faux pas: The Bachelor’s Bella Varelis [pictured] was called out for using another Instagram Influencer’s romantic, festive photo on her Instagram Story this week

In the image, Ekaterina’s face is shielded as her husband appears to give her a festive smooch on the cheek beside a towering Christmas tree. 

It’s blurry in detail, as the couple lovingly embrace underneath a blinding chandelier.  

Celeb Spellcheck also shared a screen shot that showed Bella, who has a background in digital marketing, liking the social media star’s romantic image.

Followers of the Instagram account were quick to comment on the post, including one who wrote: ‘Wait omg she stole someone’s pic? Dead,’ while another said: ‘The second hand embarrassment I’m feeling rn.’ 

Romantic: While many believed it was a relationship announcement from the Bachelor runner-up, Instagram account Celeb Spellcheck discovered on Thursday the image in fact belonged to Moscow-based influencer Ekaterina Mezenova

Romantic: While many believed it was a relationship announcement from the Bachelor runner-up, Instagram account Celeb Spellcheck discovered on Thursday the image in fact belonged to Moscow-based influencer Ekaterina Mezenova 

Festive: Ekaterina's image was actually of her and her husband in front of the Christmas tree from a festive photoshoot. Ekaterina is pictured with her husband and their son

Festive: Ekaterina’s image was actually of her and her husband in front of the Christmas tree from a festive photoshoot. Ekaterina is pictured with her husband and their son

However, a fan defended Bella and wrote that she probably ‘liked the pic’ without knowing who it belonged to. 

‘Doesn’t seem to me like she’s pretending it’s her haha she posted it after answering all those questions. Why would she randomly put a pic up pretending it’s her at the of that,’ the fan added.

Bella told Daily Mail Australia on Friday that she posts ‘romantic “inspo” photos on Instagram ‘all the time’. 

Liked: Celeb Spellcheck also shared a screen shot that showed Bella, who has a background in digital marketing, liking the social media star's romantic image

Liked: Celeb Spellcheck also shared a screen shot that showed Bella, who has a background in digital marketing, liking the social media star’s romantic image

Embarrassed: Followers of the Instagram account commented on the post, including one who wrote: 'Wait omg she stole someone's pic? Dead,' while another said: 'The second hand embarrassment I'm feeling rn'

Embarrassed: Followers of the Instagram account commented on the post, including one who wrote: ‘Wait omg she stole someone’s pic? Dead,’ while another said: ‘The second hand embarrassment I’m feeling rn’

In her defence: However, a fan defended Bella and wrote that she probably 'liked the pic' without knowing it belonged to

In her defence: However, a fan defended Bella and wrote that she probably ‘liked the pic’ without knowing it belonged to

‘This is just another cute photo I came across that I thought was a beautiful pic to use to finish off the question box I had been doing on my story,’ she said.

‘I don’t even know how this became a thing. I didn’t try to act like it was me at all, people just overdramatise, as per usual. 

She explained: ‘I’ll usually write a cute quote over them but for this one I just thought it was cute and christmassy, that’s all! It doesn’t even look like me.’

Bella originally shared the image on Wednesday on her Instagram Story and wrote in the caption: ‘And that’s me done for tonight… good night, angels.’ 

Cute photo: Bella told Daily Mail Australia on Friday that she posts 'romantic "inspo" photos on Instagram all the time. 'This is just another cute photo I came across that I thought was a beautiful pic to use to finish off the question box I had been doing on my story,' she said

Cute photo: Bella told Daily Mail Australia on Friday that she posts ‘romantic “inspo” photos on Instagram all the time. ‘This is just another cute photo I came across that I thought was a beautiful pic to use to finish off the question box I had been doing on my story,’ she said

Instagram post: Bella originally shared the image on Wednesday on her Instagram Story and wrote in the caption: 'And that's me done for tonight... good night, angels'

Instagram post: Bella originally shared the image on Wednesday on her Instagram Story and wrote in the caption: ‘And that’s me done for tonight… good night, angels’ 

Christmas Eve response: Bella told Daily Mail Australia late Friday night that she posts 'romantic "inspo" photos on Instagram 'all the time' and it doesn't even look like her

Christmas Eve response: Bella told Daily Mail Australia late Friday night that she posts ‘romantic “inspo” photos on Instagram ‘all the time’ and it doesn’t even look like her

Fans will remember Bella was brutally dumped by Locky Gilbert on The Bachelor finale, which aired in September. 

He instead pursued a relationship with her rival Irena Srbinovska.

Locky told Irena in the finale: ‘When I think about our future together, I’m, like, so excited and, like, I can’t wait to just travel the world and, like, make all your dreams come true.’

‘Irena, I’m so in love with you. And I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. 

Loved up: Fans will remember Bella was brutally dumped by Locky Gilbert for her rival Irena Srbinovska in the Bachelor finale

Loved up: Fans will remember Bella was brutally dumped by Locky Gilbert for her rival Irena Srbinovska in the Bachelor finale