There’s been a last-minute shake-up to this year’s Victoria’s Secret line-up: Gigi Hadid will be putting her Angel wings in storage for another year after announcing that she will no longer take part in the 2017 runway extravaganza in Shanghai, which takes place on Monday 20th November.
‘I’m so bummed I won’t be able to make it to China this year. Love my VS family, and will be with all my girls in spirit!!’ the 22-year-old model wrote on Twitter. Can’t wait to tune in with everyone to see the beautiful show I know it will be, and already can’t wait for next year!’ Her announcement came as the rest of the Victoria’s Secret models – including Gigi’s sister, Bella – set off for Shanghai.
Gigi’s last-minute U-turn comes as a surprise given that the model had previously confirmed her involvement in this year’s show. Back in July, she posted a throwback image from her 2016 VS fitting to express her happiness at returning to the catwalk for the brand.
‘Forever and ever and ever a dream come true to be asked back to the VS Show!!!’ she wrote. ‘Thank you my friends @ed_razek @10magazine @johndavidpfeiffer @monica.mitro for another unforgettable opportunity; every aspect makes me feel like a dreaming kid again.’
Speculation has already arisen as to why Gigi will no longer be taking part in the show. Last year, Gigi appeared in a racially insensitive Snapchat video in which she appeared to be making fun of Asian facial features; the clip then re-surfaced in 2017 after her VS casting was confirmed. Though the star did issue an apology via the Chinese social media platform Weibo, the backlash has been considerable, and may have contributed to her decision to not walk in the show.
Earlier this week, it was reported that the Chinese government has refused to grant visas for four Victoria’s Secret models: Julia Belyakova, Kate Grigorieva, Irina Sharipova and Dasha Khlystun.
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