Supermodel Bella Hadid is reportedly taking legal action against Adidas following a controversial sneaker campaign that sparked outrage. Adidas dropped the supermodel, who is half Palestinian, from an advertising campaign for retro shoes referencing the 1972 Munich Olympics.
The campaign featured Hadid as the face of the relaunch of SL 72 sneaker, and Israel had criticized the choice. The controversy erupted because of Hadid’s pro-Palestinian stance that got unexpectedly thrust into a firestorm. As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on how both Adidas and Hadid will handle the fallout and what this means for the future of celebrity endorsements.
What’s The Backstory Behind Bella Hadid’s Legal Action Against Adidas?
The trouble began when Adidas unveiled its SL 72 sneaker campaign, with Bella Hadid as its face. The shoe, initially released for the 1972 Munich Olympics, was tied to a tragic event where 11 Israeli athletes were murdered by Palestinian terrorists.
After Bella Hadid, who is a Palestinian, became the face of the campaign, leading to significant backlash from the Jewish community and Israel’s foreign ministry. Many Jewish advocacy groups, including the Combat Antisemitism Movement, criticized Adidas for the choice. They described the campaign as “a direct attack on the memory of the 11 Israelis who were murdered.”
Hen Mazzig, an Israeli writer, expressed his outrage on social media, stating, “This is not a mistake, it’s by design… a Palestinian model… is now referencing the 1972 Munich Olympics, where Palestinian terrorists slaughtered Israeli athletes.” Adidas responded to the criticism with an apology.
“We are conscious that connections have been made to tragic historical events — though these are completely unintentional — and we apologize for any upset or distress caused,” a company representative told the Washington Times. They announced plans to revise the campaign, emphasizing their commitment to diversity and equality
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What’s Next For Bella Hadid As Legal Battle Looms?
In response to the backlash and the subsequent fallout, Bella Hadid has decided to take legal action against Adidas. While the details of the lawsuit remain under wraps, the reputational damage caused by the campaign and its impact on Hadid’s public image would be significant.
The legal move comes as Adidas grapples with the controversy, aiming to repair its brand image and avoid further complications. This case is just the latest in a series of high-profile disputes in the fashion world.
Bella Hadid’s legal battle with Adidas will be closely watched, as it may set a precedent for how brands collaborate with public figures amid sensitive historical contexts.
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