Supermodel Gigi Hadid has publicly addressed the resurfacing of her and sister Bella Hadid’s names in documents connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, calling the situation “disturbing” and firmly denying any association with him.
The controversy emerged after a 2015 email exchange included in recently released Justice Department records referenced the Hadid sisters during a conversation between Epstein and an unidentified individual.
According to the documents, the anonymous person questioned how Gigi and Bella became successful models and suggested their father may have financially influenced modeling agencies on their behalf.
Epstein reportedly rejected that claim and instead responded that the sisters succeeded because “they follow directions.”
Following renewed attention online, some social media users criticized Gigi for initially remaining silent after the documents circulated publicly.
In response to one Instagram comment, Gigi explained why she had avoided speaking publicly at first, saying she did not want to distract attention away from Epstein’s actual victims and survivors.
The model went on to state clearly that she never had any connection to Epstein.
“To be named in those files … is disturbing,” she wrote. “And I want to state unequivocally that I have never had any affiliation with that disgusting human being.”
Gigi also addressed speculation surrounding her family background and modeling success.
While acknowledging she grew up privileged, she credited her parents, real estate developer Mohamed Hadid and former model Yolanda Hadid, for teaching her discipline and work ethic from an early age.
She emphasized that she signed with a modeling agency in 2012 and has worked consistently throughout her career to build her success independently.
The renewed discussion comes amid continuing public scrutiny surrounding documents tied to Epstein, who was arrested in 2019 on federal sex trafficking charges involving minors before dying by suicide in jail while awaiting trial.
Over the years, dozens of women accused Epstein of sexual abuse and exploitation spanning more than a decade.
Neither Bella Hadid nor representatives for the Hadid family publicly commented further following Gigi’s statement.
