![Bella Hadid on 'The Apprentice' Red carpet During the Cannes Film Festival](https://theblast.prod.media.wordpress.mattersmedia.io/brand-img/123/0x0/2024/05/22130035/MEGA1141863_014-scaled-e1716397891847.jpg?)
Adidas Tenders Apology As Bella Hadid Lawyers Up Amid Campaign Backlash
By Afouda Bamidele on July 22, 2024 at 2:30 PM EDT
The drama between Bella Hadid, Adidas, and the Israelite community continues, with the German cooperation in damage control mode.
The trio recently made waves after Adidas launched new shoes that appeared to reference the 1972 Munich Olympics tragedy. Israel didn't let the issue slide, especially with the pro-Palestinian model's involvement.
After removing Bella Hadid from their campaign and apologizing to Israel, Adidas has finally expressed remorse for negatively affecting the 27-year-old fashion icon.
Adidas Atones For Dragging Bella Hadid Into The Munich Campaign Controversy
![Bella Hadid at The Golden Heart Awards 2022-NYC](https://theblast.prod.media.wordpress.mattersmedia.io/brand-img/123/0x0/2023/04/Bella-Hadid-1-scaled.jpeg?)
On Sunday, Adidas issued its second apology to Hadid and other influencers linked to its controversial SL72 campaign. They doubled down on the innocence of their new footwear in its connections to the Munich Olympics.
"Connections continue to be made to the terrible tragedy that occurred at the Munich Olympics due to our recent SL72 campaign," the corporation's statement read, adding:
"These connections are not meant, and we apologize for any upset or distress caused to communities around the world. We made an unintentional mistake."
Adidas, per TMZ, continued, "We also apologize to our partners, Bella Hadid, ASAP Nast, Jules Koundé, and others, for any negative impact on them, and we are revising the campaign."
Adidas Apology Comes At The Heels Of Hadid's Reported Litigation
![Bella Hadid wears a green jacket with matching pants while out and about during NYFW 2022](https://theblast.prod.media.wordpress.mattersmedia.io/brand-img/123/0x0/2023/03/Bella-Hadid-scaled.jpg?)
Adidas initially apologized for the insensitive campaign after the American Jewish Community called them out. However, their second apology could be seen as damage control over Hadid's possible lawsuit.
After Adidas removed her from the campaign, a source claimed the model had retained litigation counsel to fight the brand "for their lack of public accountability."
Hadid reportedly blamed them for putting out a campaign that "would associate anyone with the death and violence of what took place at the 1972 Munich Games."
The source, per US Magazine, noted corporations were responsible for adequately vetting their campaigns and the historical events surrounding them.
Hadid Is Not Suing For Losing The Campaign
.@Adidas recently launched a new campaign for their shoes to highlight the 1972 Munich Olympics.
Eleven Israelis were murdered by Palestinian terrorists during the Munich Olympics.
Guess who the face of their campaign is? Bella Hadid, a half-Palestinian model who has a history… pic.twitter.com/IgdGq2OLmd
— Israel ישראל (@Israel) July 18, 2024
The insider claimed Hadid was not mad about being removed from the campaign. Instead, she was upset Adidas would reference the 1972 Olympics without acknowledging the historical context beforehand.
"Violence is not consistent with Bella's views," the source argued, seemingly referencing the point made by Israel after the campaign dropped. They slammed Adidas and Hadid on X, reminding them of the 1972 Olympics tragedy.
"@Adidas recently launched a new campaign for their shoes to highlight the 1972 Munich Olympics. Eleven Israelis were murdered by Palestinian terrorists during the Munich Olympics," Israel partly wrote.
The American Jewish Committee echoed similar sentiments, calling out Adidas' insensitive campaign.
Following the backlash, the athletic apparel and footwear brand immediately apologized, stressing that all connections to the Munich Olympics were "completely unintentional."
Hadid's Security Team Had An Alleged Encounter With A Russian Influencer
![Bella Hadid at Stanton Social Prime Opening - Las Vegas](https://theblast.prod.media.wordpress.mattersmedia.io/brand-img/123/0x0/2023/04/Bella-Hadid-1-scaled.jpg?)
Two months before the Munich Olympics controversy, The Blast reported that Hadid got bashed online for her security team's issues with a Russian influencer. Polina Nioly Pushkareva called out the model on Instagram over an incident at the Cannes Film Festival.
"It is your most important day, and you wear your first ever couture dress on the Cannes Red Carpet. You stand in your hotel in line for the car for the carpet. And Bella Hadid's bodyguards scream at everyone: 'MOVE,' push to the sides and step on your dress so it rips off," Pushkareva claimed in the video.
"Bella is incredible, she has a really good vibe, but this idea of celebrities being more important than others is insane," the influencer continued, "Other people ALSO spend money on their outfits, have a team of 20 people, and spend money to get ready."
Social Media Users Bash Bella Hadid Over The Incident
![Bella Hadid Celebrates Her 26th Birthday at Lucali Restaurant](https://theblast.prod.media.wordpress.mattersmedia.io/brand-img/123/0x0/2023/07/MEGA906066_001-scaled.jpg?)
Pushkareva noted that she also spent money on the event like Hadid did, yet she did not inconvenience others because of her influencer status. She claimed she told the model's security about the incident, but he brushed it off, saying, "But you understand the situation."
"Why the f-ck do you believe that you have more rights or some priority rights to use spaces of the hotel where we're both staying?" the media personality bashed Hadid, earning similar sentiments from her followers.
Many accused Hadid's team of treating non-celebrities as "second-class citizens" and slammed her bodyguards as "disrespectful." Others urged the model to acknowledge Pushkareva's pain and make the culprit apologize.
While it is unclear if the incident between Bella Hadid and the Russian influencer has been resolved, the model's fight with Adidas takes precedence.
Will the athletic brand's recent apology quell Bella Hadid's litigation flames? Only time will tell.