Bollywood Fever: Bella Hadid is fighting back after Adidas pulled her recent ad campaign, which featured her wearing running shoes inspired by the 1972 Munich Olympics design. The supermodel, 27, has hired legal counsel to take action against the sportswear giant following the ad’s cancellation.
A source close to the situation revealed to Us Weekly on Saturday, July 20, that Hadid is seeking accountability from Adidas for releasing a campaign deemed “thoughtless, cruel, and damaging,” associating the brand and herself with the tragic events of the 1972 Munich Games. “Violence of any kind is not the answer and not consistent with Bella’s views,” the insider stated.

Adidas faced backlash for including Hadid, who is of Palestinian heritage, in the ad, particularly from Israeli critics. Israel condemned the advertisement and Hadid’s involvement on their X account on Thursday, July 18. In response, Adidas issued an apology on Friday, announcing that they are “revising the remainder of the campaign.”
“We are conscious that connections have been made to tragic historical events — though these are completely unintentional — and we apologize for any upset or distress caused,” the company said in a statement. “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.”

The controversy stems from the tragic massacre at the 1972 Olympics, where eight members of the Palestinian Black September militant group took 11 Israeli athletes and coaches hostage, resulting in their deaths. A German police officer was also killed during the incident.
The ad campaign for the “SL72” trainers featured Hadid holding a bouquet of flowers while standing in front of a red backdrop. Adidas initially tweeted, “Giving Bella Hadid her flowers in the SL 72,” before deleting the campaign from social media.
The American Jewish Committee (AJC) also criticized the advertisement, demanding its removal and describing it as an “egregious error.” The AJC tweeted, “At the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich, 12 Israelis were murdered and taken hostage by Palestinian terrorist group Black September. For Adidas to pick a vocal anti-Israel model to recall this dark Olympics is either a massive oversight or intentionally inflammatory. Neither is acceptable.”
Hadid has not yet publicly commented on the controversy. However, she had shared an Instagram post earlier this week featuring herself next to an Adidas billboard, which has since been deleted as of July 20.
The situation continues to unfold as Hadid seeks legal recourse, emphasizing the need for sensitivity and accountability in advertising, especially when connected to historical tragedies.
More Articles, Brazilian Rock Singer Ayres Sasaki Dies at 35 After Onstage Electrocution
Heidi Klum Stuns in Sheer Black Bra While Enjoying a Day Off
Bella Thorne Criticizes Weight Loss Drug Ozempic, Promotes Natural Fitness Journey