Update (November 16, 2017, 5:29 p.m.): Gigi Hadid announced that she will no longer be walking in the upcoming Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. “I’m so bummed I won’t be able to make it to China this year,” she wrote on Twitter Thursday. “Love my VS family, and will be with all my girls in spirit!! 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! :) x”
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While Hadid did not provide a reason for her sudden departure, it’s been rumored that she was unable to a secure a visa to work in China after a video posted by her sister (and fellow Victoria’s Secret model), Bella Hadid, in February showed her squinting while holding up a Buddha cookie. She later apologized on the Chinese social media platform Weibo.
“It hurts me to hurt anyone, and I want you all to know that it was never my intent to offend anyone through my actions and I sincerely apologize to those who were hurt or felt let down by me,” she wrote in September shortly after it was announced she’d be returning to the Victoria’s Secret runway for the third time. “I have the utmost respect and love for the people of China and cherish the incredible memories I have made while visiting in the past. I have learned to be very careful of how my actions can come off or be portrayed and I’m hopeful you’ll accept my apology.”
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The annual Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show is set to film in Shanghai on Monday, but so far the drama behind the scenes is already making for an interesting spectacle. Page Six is reporting that some of the media expected to attend the show, including bloggers, influencers, and journalists, have been unable to secure visas from the Chinese government and are already canceling their trips.
“It’s just a nightmare for all the media trying to cover [the show],” a source told Page Six. “These TV companies are spending a fortune on it, and they don’t even know what they can shoot when they get there.”
They’re not alone. The Victoria’s Secret staff in China is also having issues sending out press releases since they can’t be released until they’ve received government approval.
It’s also been reported that some of the models who booked the show will no longer be participating as they’ve also been denied work visas. Fashionista wrote that Russian models Julia Belyakova, Kate Grigorieva, and Irina Sharipova, as well as Ukranian model Dasha Khlystun, will no longer be taking part in the show, according to Instagram fan accounts. In a now-deleted Insta Story, Khlystun confirmed via Instagram D.M. that she would not be walking.
Other models on the roster include Lily Aldridge, Karlie Kloss, Gigi Hadid, and Bella Hadid. So far they’re all still set to hit the runway—though a lot can happen in a weekend.
