Following the controversy that erupted over leading shoe brand Adidas featuring Bella Hadid in its latest ad campaign, reports suggest that the model is gearing up to take the legal route. According to sources familiar with the situation, the supermodel has reportedly hired legal counsel to challenge the athleticwear giant's recent actions, TMZ reports. Bella is said to be taking action against the brand for what she perceives as their 'failure to take public accountability'.
The supermodel, who has been a pro-Palestine supporter, feels the company led a harmful campaign that associated her with a tragic event — the Munich Massacre at the 1972 Olympics, — which contradicts her views on violence. The massacre left 11 Israeli athletes and a German police officer dead. Palestinian gunmen from the Black September group were reportedly behind the attack.
Despite earlier reports suggesting that Bella was dropped from their advertising campaign, TMZ sources confirm that she is still under contract with the company. This comes after the brand announced on Friday, that they had removed Bella from a campaign promoting the retro sneakers. The German sportswear giant had relaunched the shoe as part of a series reviving classic sneakers.
The campaign faced backlash from pro-Israeli groups , who were outraged by images of Bella wearing the shoes. Born in the US with Palestinian roots through her father, Bella has been vocal about her support for Palestinian rights, particularly since the recent conflict in Gaza. A spokeswoman for the brand, confirmed Bella’s removal from the campaign, emphasizing that the original intent was to highlight the shoe's history, not the tragic events of the Munich Olympics.
The company will continue the SL72 campaign with other models. Amidst the controversy, Bella's throwback speech, vouching to stand with the state of Palestine despite its effect on her professional life, has been going viral. In her speech, the model says, "I'm not afraid to lose modelling jobs.
I will continue to speak up for Palestine." During the recent Cannes Film Festival , the star made quite the statement by wearing a dress that gave a nod to her Palestinian roots. The beauty stepped up in a vintage Michael and Hushi gown made from red and white keffiyeh-inspired dress.
Back in 2022, the brand ended its contract with US rapper Ye, formerly known as Kanye West , after his anti-Semitic social media posts sparked widespread outrage..
