Gigi Hadid Breaks Silence on Epstein Files: "I Have Never Had Any Affiliation With That Disgusting Human Being"

Gigi Hadid is pushing back after her name appeared in the massive document dump known as the Epstein files, clarifying that she had zero connection to the convicted sex trafficker who discussed her career in private emails.

In a since-deleted Instagram comment posted March 30, Hadid addressed a fan who criticized her for not speaking out about the files. "I want to state unequivocally that I have never had any affiliation with that disgusting human being," she wrote.

What the Files Show

The documents in question stem from a 2015 email exchange between Jeffrey Epstein and an unnamed individual, released by the Department of Justice in January as part of the Epstein Files Transparency Act. In the exchange, the redacted person asked Epstein how Gigi and Bella Hadid "become models and make so much money."

When the individual speculated that the sisters' father, real estate developer Mohamed Hadid, might have "paid the agency," Epstein responded: "Because they follow directions, it's that simple."

Neither Gigi nor Bella Hadid has been accused of any wrongdoing. Appearing in the files does not indicate criminal activity or association with Epstein's trafficking network.

"Horrible to Read Someone You've Never Met Speak About You That Way"

Hadid, now 30, said she was around 20 or 21 when Epstein wrote the email. "To be named in those files...is disturbing," she explained in her comment.

She initially stayed silent to avoid drawing attention away from Epstein's actual victims. "I didn't comment bc I don't want to take away from the stories of real victims of his," she wrote. But after seeing criticism online, she decided to set the record straight.

Hadid acknowledged growing up with privilege but emphasized that her parents "protected me and taught me the value of hard work." She added that she has "worked hard every moment since" beginning her modeling career over a decade ago.

The Epstein Files Transparency Act

The DOJ released more than three million pages of documents related to Epstein in January 2026. The files mention thousands of individuals, including former President Donald Trump, tech billionaire Elon Musk, director Woody Allen, Microsoft founder Bill Gates, and Britain's Prince Andrew.

Dozens of women accused Epstein of sexual abuse between 2009 and 2018. He was arrested on federal sex trafficking charges in July 2019 and died by suicide in his jail cell the following month while awaiting trial.

The document release has sparked widespread confusion, with multiple celebrities clarifying that their names appear in mundane contexts unrelated to Epstein's crimes. Comedian Jon Stewart and TV host Whoopi Goldberg both explained their mentions in the files earlier this year.

Why This Matters

The Epstein files represent one of the most significant transparency efforts in a case involving powerful elites and systemic failures to protect trafficking survivors. But the sheer volume of names has also created a minefield of misinformation, with social media users falsely implying guilt by association.

Hadid's response highlights the collateral damage of Epstein's crimes: even people who never met him now find their names entangled in his legacy. Her decision to speak out underscores the ongoing need for clarity about what these documents actually show and who bears responsibility for enabling Epstein's decades of abuse.

The real story is not that Gigi Hadid appears in an email. The real story is that Jeffrey Epstein felt comfortable casually discussing young women's careers with his associates, and that powerful institutions allowed him to operate with impunity for years.