Cosmetics brand Charlotte Tilbury has parted ways with Bella Hadid as the face of its incredibly popular lipstick range.
The move comes after the model, whose father is Palestinian, was criticized for expressing support for Gaza. But the company last night strongly denied that this was the reason why she was suddenly dropped as brand ambassador.
Ms. Hadid’s departure came as a surprise to the staff of the top British makeup brand.
One source said bosses were so excited about an upcoming lipstick launch featuring Hadid that they sent videos to their staff telling them they had re-signed her.
Bosses were thrilled when sales skyrocketed when they first started working with Hadid seven months ago. They describe the increase in sales as the ‘Bella Hadid effect’.
Charlotte Tilbury herself appeared in a promotional video with Miss Hadid last year, telling her: ‘Bella, darling! I’m so glad you’re here.”
Mrs. Hadid replied, “Charlotte, honey! I’m so happy to be here with you, I love you.’ To which Miss Tilbury replied, “I love you too.”
But now Hadid has been replaced by an unknown model. Charlotte Tilbury confirmed last night that Hadid’s contract had expired, but insisted that her political views on the war between Israel and Hamas played no part in the decision.
Ms. Hadid, whose father Mohammed Hadid, a 75-year-old property developer, is Palestinian, has sparked controversy for online posts expressing support for the people of Gaza.
In an Instagram post last October – shortly after Hamas massacred 1,200 Israelis in a terror attack – the model wrote: “I have been receiving hundreds of death threats every day, my phone number was leaked and my family felt in danger. . But I can no longer be silenced. Fear is not an option. The people and children of Palestine, especially in Gaza, cannot afford our silence. We are not brave – they are.
‘It is important to understand how difficult it is to be Palestinian in a world that sees us as terrorists opposed to peace. It is harmful, it is shameful and it is categorically untrue.”
When she was named Model of the Year by the British Fashion Council, Hadid said in her acceptance speech: “This is for the Palestinian children… This is for every child, immigrant or refugee.”
A source at Charlotte Tilbury told The Mail on Sunday: ‘The staff were expecting and had been promised promotional material with Bella Hadid fronting the re-promotion of the Air Brush Flawless range. They had sent out videos and content to the staff boasting that they got Bella Hadid as the face of the repromotion because her endorsement sold out makeup products like hotcakes. Charlotte Tilbury called this the ‘Bella Hadid effect’, but suddenly there was nothing.”
After parting ways with Charlotte Tilbury, Hadid now plans to unveil her own cosmetics and wellness company, Orebella, in May. She has previously spoken about losing jobs and friends due to her pro-Palestinian stance, saying: “I had so many companies that stopped working with me, I have friends that completely dropped me.”
Last night a spokesperson for Charlotte Tilbury said: ‘We’re thrilled that Bella will be launching her own range later this year. We have always loved working with Bella and although her contract is coming to an end, she remains a great friend to both Charlotte and the brand, and we look forward to creating more magical beauty moments together in the future.”
A statement from Charlotte Tilbury Beauty added: ‘It is absolutely not the case that Bella’s personal views have had any influence on our contract or relationship with her. We’re excited that Bella will be launching her own range later this year and we wish her the best. We have always enjoyed working with Bella and although her contract is coming to an end, she remains a great friend to both Charlotte and the brand and we look forward to creating more magical beauty moments together in the future.”
