Gigi Hadid says she’s ‘sorry’ for mocking Melania Trump, but still defends her comedy skit
GIGI Hadid has apologised to anyone who was offended by her impersonation of Melania Trump — but said it was done in “good humour”.
Awards
Don't miss out on the headlines from Awards. Followed categories will be added to My News.
GIGI Hadid has apologised to anyone who was offended by her impersonation of Melania Trump at the American Music Awards.
But she wasn’t offended — and she doesn’t think America’s First Lady-in-waiting was either.
Hadid opened the star-studded music ceremony by mocking Mrs Trump in a brief, awkward skit that was supposed to be taken in gest.
With a heavy pout and terrible accent, Hadid seemingly tried to poke fun at how Mrs Trump famously copied some of Michelle Obama’s speech during the Republican National Convention in July.
“I love my husband, President Barack Obama and our children Sasha and Malia,” Hadid said, while impersonating her.
Now Hadid has penned a note to her followers on Twitter to explain the skit.
In the handwritten note, she revealed she had tweaked the script for the American Music Awards, and what remained was “done in good humour” without “bad intent”.
“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 humour and with no bad intent,” she wrote.
“I too have been the centre of a nationally televised comedy skit that poked fun at my actions, and was able to find the humour in it,” she continued.
“I believe Melania understands show business and the way shows are written and run.”
Despite defending her actions, she did say “sorry” to anyone offended by it.
“I apologise to anyone that I offended and have only the best wishes for our country,” she wrote.
— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) November 22, 2016
Hadid, 21, was accused of racism for impersonating Mrs Trump, who is Slovenian.
Viewers branded Hadid’s performance, in which she attempted an Eastern European accent and screwed up her face into an exaggerated pout, “petty” and “biased”.
Facing a muted audience, she said she had been practising all week to get Mrs Trump’s “face right”, while her co-host, Saturday Night Live comic Jay Pharoah, immediately claimed the impression was “spot on”.
However, some social media users even vowed to boycott Maybelline makeup products, for whom she models.
One Twitter poster wrote: ‘Remember kids, you can only denigrate women and mock immigrants if you are progressive.’
Another asked: ‘Hey, isn’t it “racist” to make fun of an immigrant’s accent?’, while one viewer said: ‘Her imitation of Melania Trump was like a mean girl in high school. Disgraceful.’
Hadid also left onlookers stunned with her red carpet outfit and her wardrobe changes on stage, where she wore revealing outfits.
Originally published as Gigi Hadid says she’s ‘sorry’ for mocking Melania Trump, but still defends her comedy skit
Have your say in the 2025 AACTAs
From Nicole Kidman to Jacob Elordi, here is how you can vote for your favourite stars for the 2025 AACTA Awards.
Nicole’s major snub at Hollywood awards
The Australian star’s Oscars campaign has hit a snag, with Nicole Kidman missing out on a Best Actress nomination at the next big awards.