Gigi Hadid apologizes

Gigi Hadid apologizes for impersonation, thinks 'Melania understands show business'

Gigi Hadid has yet to feel the Twitter wrath of President-elect Donald Trump, but she did take some heat from his supporters on social media for her impression of the future first lady Melania Trump during the American Music Awards Sunday night.



Hadid joined comedian Jay Pharoah as co-host of the AMAs, and like everything from the Country Music Association Awards to Hamilton these days, the pair threw in some political satire.

In their opening monologue, Pharoah included an impression of Jay Z, which has become a signature since his secret black comedian meeting skits on Saturday Night Live went viral earlier this year.

Hadid offered her impersonation of Melania Trump in turn, plumping her lips.

"I love my husband, President Barack Obama, and our children, Sasha and Malia," Hadid pantomimed, riffing on the plagiarism controversy surrounding the future first lady's RNC speech.

People took to Facebook and Twitter, calling the joke rude, hateful and disrespectful. And, following Trump's lead after the Hamilton cast delivered a statement to Vice President-elect Mike Pence this weekend, many called for an apology.

I never want to hear @GiGiHadid stand up for people being bullied. YOU ARE A BULLY!!! Disrespectful, and should be ashamed of yourself!

— Veronica Alanis (@veronicamalanis) November 21, 2016

So shocked to see @GiGiHadid mock @MELANIATRUMP, so disrespectful to women everywhere !! #AMAs You need to apologize !!!

— linda (@nutmeg237) November 21, 2016

A new era of bullying is starting. It's not coming from where we expected. @GiGiHadid #AMAs

— guts (@Casp1989) November 21, 2016

Hadid shared a handwritten note Monday evening apologizing to those who found the joke in poor taste.

pic.twitter.com/6NuxjKx68o

— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) November 22, 2016

“I was honored to host the AMA’s (sic) last night and to work with some of the most respected writers in the business,” she wrote, adding she was able to cut anything she didn’t feel comfortable with. “I removed or changed anything in the script that I felt took the joke too far, and whether or not you choose to see it, what remained was done in good humor and with no bad intent.”

Hadid also communicated that she expected a level of understanding from Mrs. Trump about the inner workings of the entertainment industry and ended her letter on a patriotic note.

“I believe Melania understands show business and the way shows are written and run,” wrote Hadid. “I apologize to anyone that I offended & have only the best wishes for our country.”






source: usatoday