Gigi Hadid Addresses Appearance in Epstein Files: 'Sick to My Stomach'

Model says she never met 'the monster' and is disturbed by her name being included in the notorious documents.

Apr. 4, 2026 at 10:03pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Model Gigi Hadid has publicly addressed her name's appearance in the Department of Justice's Epstein Files, saying it made her "sick to her stomach." Hadid, 30, responded to an Instagram comment claiming she would be unfollowed for not addressing the issue, explaining that she didn't want to take away from the stories of Epstein's real victims. She also detailed how she and her sister Bella became successful models through hard work and their parents' guidance, rather than any connection to Epstein.

Why it matters

Hadid's comments shed light on the disturbing revelations in the Epstein Files, which have implicated numerous high-profile individuals in the convicted sex offender's crimes and web of manipulation. Her statement reinforces the need to listen to and support the real victims of Epstein's abuse, rather than speculate about peripheral figures.

The details

In a March 29 Instagram comment, a fan claimed they would unfollow Hadid for not addressing her name's appearance in the Epstein Files. Hadid responded, saying it "made me sick to my stomach" to see someone she's "never met speak about you that way" in the context of the Epstein investigation. She explained that in an email chain, Epstein had tried to "take responsibility for people's careers in order to manipulate his victims." Hadid said she grew up privileged but her parents taught her the value of hard work, which is what led to her and her sister Bella's modeling careers, not any connection to Epstein.

  • In a December 2015 email exchange, Gigi Hadid's name was mentioned in relation to Epstein.
  • Epstein died on August 10, 2019 in a federal Manhattan jail while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges.

The players

Gigi Hadid

A 30-year-old model whose name appeared in the notorious Epstein Files, which she says made her "sick to her stomach" to see.

Jeffrey Epstein

The convicted sex offender and sex trafficker whose crimes and web of manipulation were exposed in the Epstein Files.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Horrible to read someone you've never met speak about you that way, Especially in this context. Never in my life met the monster — to me it was so obvious, in that email chain, he tried to take responsibility for people's careers in order to manipulate his victims (in this case, whoever was emailing him questions about my career) … who never saw the work he claimed he'd get them.”

— Gigi Hadid, Model

“We applied for and my mom brought me herself to meetings with agencies in NYC just before I turned 18, two of which she was signed to in her career — Marylins and Ford… I probably met w 10 agencies — only Marylin's, IMG, and (maybe?) one other agency offered me a contract. I signed to IMG in 2012. And I've worked hard every moment since.”

— Gigi Hadid, Model

“To be named in those files, I think I was 20-21 at the time he would have written that email — is disturbing, and I want to state unequivocally that I have never had any affiliation with that disgusting human being. May he rest in [two fire emojis].”

— Gigi Hadid, Model

The takeaway

Hadid's statement highlights the disturbing implications of being associated with Epstein's crimes, even tangentially, and the need to support the real victims of his abuse rather than speculate about peripheral figures. Her comments also reinforce the importance of hard work and parental guidance in achieving success, rather than relying on connections to powerful individuals.