Current:Home > MyAdidas Apologizes for Bella Hadid Ad Campaign Referencing 1972 Munich Olympics -ProgressCapital
Adidas Apologizes for Bella Hadid Ad Campaign Referencing 1972 Munich Olympics
View
Date:2025-04-16 07:20:59
Adidas has issued an apology over a controversial campaign featuring Bella Hadid that paid tribute to the 1972 Munich Olympics.
This week, the footwear brand shared ads showing the supermodel—whose father Mohamed Hadid is Palestinian—wearing retro red SL72 sneakers commemorating the games, during which gunmen from the Palestinian militant group Black September raided the Olympic Village and killed 11 members of the Israeli team, with nine murdered after being held hostage.
While the campaign also featured celebs such as soccer star Jules Koundé, the ads with Bella sparked an online backlash that included calls to boycott the German company, as well as condemnation from Israel's official X account. All the promotional photos were then removed from the brand's social media and its website.
“We are conscious that connections have been made to tragic historical event—though these are completely unintentional—and we apologize for any upset or distress caused," Adidas said in a statement to USA TODAY Sports July 18. “As a result, we are revising the remainder of the campaign."
The company added, "We believe in sport as a unifying force around the world and will continue our efforts to champion diversity and equality in everything we do."
Hadid, who was born in the United States and calls herself a "proud Palestinian," has long been vocal in her support for the Palestinian people on social media.
The 27-year-old has often spoken out against Israel's ongoing military action in Gaza, which has killed more than 38,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza health officials, per NBC News.
Israel began its offensive after Hamas-led militants killed 1,200 people and took more than 250 hostages in a cross-border raid into Israel Oct. 7, according to Israeli tallies.
Hadid has not commented on the removal of the ads. E! News has reached out to her rep and has not heard back.
For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News AppveryGood! (225)
Related
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Walmart to start daily sensory-friendly hours in its stores this week: Here's why
- A bear stole a Taco Bell delivery order from a Florida family's porch — and then he came again for the soda
- National Zoo’s giant pandas fly home amid uncertainty about future panda exchanges
- Kansas City Chiefs CEO's Daughter Ava Hunt Hospitalized After Falling Down a Mountain
- Four takeaways from Disney's earnings call
- North Carolina governor declares state of emergency as wildfires burn in mountains
- Mariska Hargitay Makes Fans Go Wild After She Asks Photographers to Zoom in on Her Necklace
- Meta donates $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund
- Texas earthquake: 5.3 magnitude quake hits western part of state early Wednesday
Ranking
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Parents of a terminally ill baby lose UK legal battle to bring her home
- In Michigan, #RestoreRoe abortion rights movement hits its limit in the legislature
- Peace Corps agrees to pay $750,000 to family of volunteer who died after doctors misdiagnosed her malaria, law firm says
- Southern California rocked by series of earthquakes: Is a bigger one brewing?
- Bear attack suspected after college student found dead on mountain in Japan
- California DMV suspends permits for Cruise driverless robotaxis
- FDA approves a new weight loss drug, Zepbound from Eli Lilly
Recommendation
Kourtney Kardashian Cradles 9-Month-Old Son Rocky in New Photo
Russia reportedly is using Ukrainian POWs to fight in their homeland on Moscow’s side
Angels hiring Ron Washington as manager: 71-year-old won two AL titles with Rangers
Apple Music names Taylor Swift Artist of the Year
Daughter of Utah death row inmate navigates complicated dance of grief and healing before execution
Will stocks trade on Veterans Day? Here's the status of financial markets on the holiday
Maren Morris Clarifies Her Plans in Country Music After Announcing She’ll Step Back
More Bukele critics join effort seeking to nullify El Salvador leader’s candidacy for re-election