Gigi Hadid Shares 'Sick To My Stomach' Reaction After Learning Her Name Appears In Epstein Files

Gigi Hadid has now spoken about how unsettling and disturbing it felt to see her name appear in documents connected to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

In recent months, the Department of Justice has released a large number of files linked to the former financier. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 after he was found dead in his Manhattan jail cell.

These documents have led to renewed attention around several individuals, including Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, formerly known as Prince Andrew, who was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office in February.

It is important to understand that being mentioned in the Epstein files does not automatically mean that someone has done anything wrong or illegal.

Gigi and her sister Bella Hadid were referenced in the files after a redacted person asked in a December 2015 email exchange: "How did the Hadid sisters became models and make so much money?! I don't understand…"

Gigi Hadid is named in the Epstein files TheStewartofNY/FilmMagic

Epstein responded with "You know", and the unnamed person then claimed that their father, Mohamed Hadid, had supposedly 'paid' an agency.

Epstein replied with a simple "no", before adding: "Because they follow directions, it's that simple."

In a recent Instagram post, Gigi pushed back against those claims. She made it clear that nothing was handed to her and said her upbringing focused strongly on discipline and effort.

"The same hard work that got them to this country and gave them careers," the model wrote.

"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."

Files relating to Epstein have been released in recent months The US Justice Department/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images

Last month, a social media user said they had to unfollow Gigi because she had not spoken publicly about her name appearing in the files.

Gigi chose to respond directly and explained that reading the documents had a strong emotional impact on her.

"Horrible to read someone you've never met speak about you that way. Especially in this context," the 30-year-old wrote in a reply shared on March 30.

"I didn't comment because I don't want to take away from the stories of real victims of his; but your comment made me realize maybe its not clear—and it's important to let you know."

Only a few weeks before his death, Epstein was charged with sex trafficking minors and conspiracy related to those crimes. He had previously been convicted in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution and for procuring a child for prostitution, serving 13 months in jail.