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Model Gigi Hadid is speaking out after her name appeared in the notorious Epstein Files.
“Made me sick to my stomach,” Hadid, 30, replied to a March 29 Instagram comment from a fan who claimed they were going to unfollow the model for not addressing her name’s appearance in the FBI’s investigation of convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.
“Horrible to read someone you’ve never met speak about you that way,” she continued, per E! News. “Especially in this context. Never in my life met the monster — to me it was so obvious, in that email chain, he tried to take responsibility for people’s careers in order to manipulate his victims (in this case, whoever was emailing him questions about my career) … who never saw the work he claimed he’d get them.”
She added, “I didn’t comment bc I don’t want to take away from the stories of the real victims of his; but your comment made me realize maybe it’s not clear — and it’s important to let you know — I grew up privileged, yes. But my parents protected me and taught me the value of hard work, the same hard work that got them to this country and gave them careers.”
After the Department of Justice (DOJ) was ordered to release the files in accordance with The Epstein Files Transparency Act, a December 2015 email exchange between an individual whose name was redacted and the late financier featured Gigi and her sister, Bella Hadid.
“How did the Hadid sisters became [sic] models and make so much money?! I don’t understand,” the email to Epstein reportedly read.
“You know,” Epstein replied.
When the unnamed individual responded, guessing that the pair’s father “paid the agency,” Epstein reportedly replied, “No.” (Gigi Hadid is the daughter of Yolanda Hadid and real estate developer Mohamed Hadid, who also share daughter Bella and son Anwar Hadid.)
“Because they follow directions, its [sic] that simple,” Epstein added.
In her response to the Instagram comment, Gigi explained how her and her sister became staples in the model and fashion industry.
“We applied for and my mom brought me herself to meetings with agencies in NYC just before I turned 18, two of which she was signed to in her career — Marylins and Ford… I probably met w 10 agencies — only Marylin’s, IMG, and (maybe?) one other agency offered me a contract. I signed to IMG in 2012. And I’ve worked hard every moment since.”
She continued, “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. May he rest in [two fire emojis].”
Epstein died on August 10, 2019, in a federal Manhattan jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. The disgraced billionaire, who died by suicide, had previously pleaded guilty to one count of soliciting prostitution and one count of soliciting prostitution from a minor in 2008. He only served 13 months in a county jail and was registered as a sex offender.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
https://www.rainn.org/
If you or someone you know is experiencing child abuse, call or text Child Help Hotline at 1-800-422-4453.
https://www.childhelphotline.org/
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