Gigi Hadid Denies Epstein Connection in Statement

Supermodel Gigi Hadid has publicly denied any connection to Jeffrey Epstein after her name surfaced in documents related to the late financier's sex trafficking case, describing the mention as deeply disturbing.

The 30-year-old model addressed the issue in a now-deleted Instagram comment on March 29, responding to a fan who threatened to unfollow her for not speaking out. Hadid's name, along with that of her sister Bella, appeared in a December 2015 email exchange between Epstein and an unnamed individual, as detailed in files released by the U.S. Department of Justice. In the exchange, the redacted sender asked, "How did the Hadid sisters become models and make so much money?! I don't understand." Epstein replied, "You know," and later denied suggestions that their father had paid an agency, adding, "Because they follow directions, it's that simple."

Hadid, who was around 20 or 21 at the time of the email, wrote that the reference made her "sick to my stomach." She emphasized, "Horrible to read someone you've never met speak about you that way. Especially in this context." She clarified that she had never met Epstein, whom she called a "disgusting human being," and believed the...