Gigi Hadid found herself at the centre of a social media storm this morning when she was hit with a wave of abuse for her impression of Melania Trump.
While hosting the 44th American Music Awards ceremony in LA last night with impression expert Jay Pharoah, the 21-year-old model openly mocked the future First Lady by impersonating Melania’s “face”, adopting an exaggerated European accent and poking fun at the plagiarism accusations waged at Ms Trump after she appeared to borrow parts of a Michelle Obama speech in July.
“I gotta do the face right,” began Zayn Malik’s girlfriend. “I love my husband, President Barack Obama and our children, Sasha and Malia.”
Gigi Hadid doing an impression of Melania Trump while hosting the American Music Awards. #AMAs pic.twitter.com/kN1e5RbmQt
— Shady Music Facts (@TheFactsOfShade) November 21, 2016
Members of Gigi’s star-studded audience laughed quietly at her joke, but those watching the event at home were less than amused.
Many took to Twitter to voice their grievances, with some going as far as to suggest that the impression was “racist”.
“Its racist when Trump says illegals should leave, but not when Gigi Hadid makes fun of Melania Trump’s European accent? #DOUBLESTANDARD (sic),” wrote one person.
Its racist when Trump says illegals should leave, but not when Gigi Hadid makes fun of Melania Trump's European accent? #DOUBLESTANDARD
— Brie (@berrico22) November 21, 2016
“Idiot. If someone did that to Moochelle they’d be called a racist. Sorry you’re not as pretty as Melania, Gigi,” said another.
@AtlTeaPartyLove @GiGiHadid Idiot. If someone did that to Moochelle they'd be called a racist. Sorry you're not as pretty as Melania, Gigi.
— MaxFromTheBasement (@DasDeplorable) November 21, 2016
Others criticised the Californian for lacking class in choosing to portray Trump’s third wife.
“A model making fun of a model. Not classy @GiGiHadid, not classy. Just silly #AMAs #disappointed,” read one Tweet.
A model making fun of a model. Not classy @GiGiHadid, not classy. Just silly. #AMAs #disappointed
— EveS (@EveFunFashion) November 21, 2016
While another group focused on comparing Gigi with Melania through tweets like: “Dear @GiGiHadid, @MELANIATRUMP is 100 percent more beautiful and smart than you will ever be. How dare you, boycott the #AMAs.”
Dear @GiGiHadid, @MELANIATRUMP is 100% more beautiful and smart than you will ever be. How dare you, boycott the #AMAs
— BeccaAlbs (@Alberg522) November 21, 2016
Since the controversy surrounding Gigi's performance is still gaining pace, we think it'll be a while before this blows over.
