Top model out after boo-boo

– Top US fashion model Gigi Hadid yesterday pulled out of the annual Victoria’s Secret fashion show in Shanghai after an online video showing her apparently making a slant-eyes face sparked criticism in China.

The announcement is the second apparent snag to hit the US lingerie maker’s A-list underwear extravaganza set for Monday, following reports that three Russian and one Ukrainian model had failed to obtain Chinese visas.

Hadid, ranked fifth on Forbes’ list of the highest-paid women models last year at $9 million, had excitedly announced her participation in the show in August.

She gave no reason for the reversal.

“I’m so bummed I won’t be able to make it to China this year,” the 22-year-old said on Twitter.

“Love my VS family, and will be with all my girls in spirit!”

Hadid’s withdrawal averts a potential PR disaster for Victoria’s Secret, which is hoping to shore up a sagging bottom line by pushing into China’s growing intimate-wear market.

The company opened its first flagship stores in China this year and Monday’s show is the first held outside the US or Europe.

Chinese internet users accused Hadid of racism after her sister Bella – another of the three dozen or more models expected in Shanghai – posted an Instagram video in February showing Gigi squinting her eyes while holding up a Buddha-shaped cookie.

After Hadid announced in August that she would come to Shanghai, many Chinese netizens pounced anew, warning her to stay away.

Hadid posted a bilingual apology on China’s Twitter-like Weibo on September 1, declaring her “respect and love for the people of China” and swearing she meant no harm, but even that drew flak.

A Victoria’s Secret spokesperson declined comment when asked by AFP whether Hadid pulled out on her own, was asked to by the company, or whether Chinese authorities applied any pressure.

Speculation has also swirled over the participation of Russia’s Julia Belyakova, Kate Grigorieva and Irina Sharipova, and Ukraine’s Dasha Khlystun, after unconfirmed reports suggested they were denied Chinese visas.

China’s foreign ministry said yesterday it was “not aware” of the Hadid or visa issues. – AFP