Fashion model Gigi Hadid is the new victim on the internet because of her impression of future First Lady Melania Trump at the American Music Awards. Although she has apologised for “disrespecting” the wife of President-elect Donald Trump, I don’t completely agree that her impression was racist at all.
Hadid had taken the stage at AMAs this year alongside Jay Pharoah as a host where she allegedly displayed signs of racism by mocking Melania. I agree that her impression wasn’t the best but, her Melania face was spot on! While impersonating Melania, Hadid quipped, “I love my husband, President Barack Obama. And our children Sasha and Malia.” The impression was a reference to Melania’s speech at the Republican National Convention, which seemed to be a plagiarism of a speech by Michelle Obama.
(Courtesy: Reuters)
Hadid faced a lot of backlash on the internet, which is ironic since Melania has spoken passionately against cyber-bullying. Following the internet’s response, she posted a snapshot of a hand-written apology where she also justified her actions.
— Gigi Hadid (@GiGiHadid) November 22, 2016
The whole plagiarism row was heavily mocked over the internet and became an instant internet trend. I bet it’s the same people who have now come to Melania’s support because “Hey! Let’s follow the herd.” Back then, even her own husband, Donald Trump, has himself joked about it in the past and as have we. So, why has it become hateful and inappropriate now?
Gigi Hadid, like many others, is one of those celebrities people love to hate. Calling her “brainless” is sort of a trend just like Justin Bieber is an “asshole” and Miley Cyrus is… whatever she is. I’m almost certain that if Jennifer Lawrence had done it, nobody would have let out so much a syllable against the impression.
Twitterati launched a deluge of insults at the 21-year-old model, asking her to be more respectful of the to-be FLOTUS. Some even pointed out that it was hypocritical to ignore Hadid’s impression, arguing that had it been an impression of Michelle Obama, it would have been considered racist.
I have no idea who the hell Gigi Hadid is and don’t care. I just thank her for putting another nail in the coffin of progressivism. https://t.co/mfZHfkSh0w
— TrumpAlwaysWins (@ThankYouDonald) November 22, 2016
@VincentMarcus @GiGiHadid Sure. Lighten up…but if it was Michele Obama that was being made fun of it wouldn’t be “humor”. Would it?
— Heddi (@SmithHeddi) November 22, 2016
Your @Maybelline girl @GiGiHadid just flushed your brand down the toilet along w/her image as an advocate for anti-bullying. #NoClass #AMAs https://t.co/yeGXsHWlOP
— flyingeagle (@halsteadg048) November 22, 2016
Have lost all respect for @GiGiHadid I’m SO SICK of these damn celebrities using their fame as a platform U live in a DAMN bubble #Hannity
— amanda(@LoveAll_95) November 22, 2016
So @GiGiHadid is against Trump & expresses that by mocking an immigrant & her accent with an insulting public impression? #KettleSaysWhat?
— Melissa Francis (@MelissaAFrancis) November 21, 2016
@GiGiHadid won’t be using @Maybelline ! Shame on you for mocking accents like your mom @YolandaHFoster – you’re a BULLY! pic.twitter.com/MkHIR81mKJ
— MAG(@DagnyRed) November 22, 2016
Let’s rewind a bit, shall we? Alec Baldwin’s impression of Donald Trump. Kate McKinnon’s impression of Hillary Clinton. Both of the actors had impersonated the Presidential candidates at Saturday Night Live (SNL) throughout the course of the 2016 elections. So, what? Are we only allowed to poke fun at white people now? Because I got news for you. That’s racist.
