Fashion model Gigi Hadid under fire for alleged racist behavior

File photo of Gigi Hadid from VS Fashion Show [Photo/en.people.cn]

Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, one of the world's most beautiful and sexiest shows, has officially confirmed to hit Shanghai in November, but one "angel" may not receive the same hearty welcome as her fellow "angels".

Gigi Hadid, a 22-year-old supermodel from the US, is under fire for alleged racism after a quickly-deleted Instagram video surfaced in February showing her squinting her eyes to imitate a Buddha-shaped cookie.

Many criticized the young beauty for her offensive facial expression. Hadid, however, has never apologized. Her boyfriend Zayn Malik responded to some of the criticism, saying that Hadid likes Asians. Hadid's mother said that color, shape, religion, or race does not exist in "the hearts of our family as we are a melting pot of all."

An online Twitter poll showed that some 66 percent of more than 79,000 netizens believed Hadid's facial expression was inappropriate, while another 34 percent believed it was an innocent joke.

A post by official Twitter account of Victoria's Secret. [Photo/Twitter of Victoria's Secret]

According to the official Twitter account of Victoria's Secret, the 2017 VS Fashion Show will be held in Shanghai on Nov 28. Gigi Hadid also confirmed on Tuesday via social media that she has been asked to attend the fashion show.

The announcement renewed the month-old discussion. Many netizens, especially those from China, began to rally under the social media accounts of Hadid and Victoria's Secret, saying that she is not be welcome to China after her alleged racist video.

"I am looking forward to watching this year's VSFashionshow! But Gigi Hadid is not welcomed to China for her rude behavior!" wrote a Chinese netizen on Twitter.

Victoria's Secret has not issued any comment as of press time.