Supermodel Gigi Hadid has finally broken her silence after being named in the Epstein Files alongside her sister Bella Hadid. She clarified her stance, strongly denying any association with the late financier.
The emails, part of the US Department of Justice documents related to Jeffrey Epstein, had raised questions about how the Hadid sisters rose to prominence in the modelling industry.
In a 2015 email exchange between Epstein and a redacted individual, the person asked how Gigi, 30, and Bella, 29, came to “become models and make so much money.” Epstein replied, “You know,” while the individual suggested their father had “paid the agency.” Epstein later clarified, “No. Because they follow directions, it’s that simple.”
After the emails were made public, a social media user commented on one of Gigi Hadid’s Instagram posts on March 29, saying they “had to unfollow” her due to her silence about being named in the Epstein Files, according to People.com.
In a now-deleted Instagram reply, Gigi Hadid responded to the comment, saying, “Made me sick to my stomach. Horrible to read someone you’ve never met speak about you that way. Especially in this context. I didn’t comment because I don’t want to take away from the stories of real victims of his; but your comment made me realise maybe it’s not clear – and it’s important to let you know,” according to E! News and InStyle.
She added, “To be named in those files, I think I was 20–21 at the time he would have written that email – is disturbing. And I want to state unequivocally that I have never had any affiliation with that disgusting human being.”
Gigi also acknowledged her privileged upbringing, crediting her parents, Mohamed Hadid and Yolanda Hadid, for protecting her and teaching her the value of hard work.
She emphasised that after signing with a modelling agency in 2012, she has “worked hard for every moment since.”
The Epstein case, which saw multiple allegations of sexual abuse between 2008 and 2019, culminated in his July 2019 arrest on charges of sex trafficking of minors and conspiracy.
According to reports, Epstein died by suicide on August 10, 2019, while awaiting trial on federal charges.
