Image Group LA/ABC(LOS ANGELES) — Gigi Hadid has a message for critics of her impersonation of Melania Trump at Sunday’s American Music Awards: lighten up.
The supermodel poked fun at the future first lady during her opening monologue, referencing Melania’s alleged plagiarism of Michelle Obama‘s speech during the Republican National Convention in July.
After facing backlash on social media, Hadid tweeted a screenshot of a handwritten letter Monday.
“I was honored to host the AMA’s last night and to work with some of the most respected writers in the business,” wrote Hadid, 21. “I removed or changed anything in the script that I felt took the joke too far, and whether or not you choose to see it, what remained was done in good humor and with no bad intent.”
“I too have been the center of a nationally televised comedy skit that poked fun at my actions, and was able to find the humor in it,” she continued. “I believe Melania understands show business and the way shows are written and run. I apologize to anyone that I offended and have only the best wishes for your country. Respectfully, G.”
Comedian Jay Pharoah also stuck up for his AMA co-host, sharing on Facebook, “Everybody pump the brakes one damn minute! Over the last 8 years the beautiful Michelle Obama has been the victim of excessive slurring! The Beautiful Flotus has been called Ape, Gorilla, Monkey, Manish, Ugly, Disgusting, ‘Not fit to be in the whitehouse’, always physically attacked by the general populous, nobody really snaps about it!”
Adds Pharoah, “Flotus has always been on point with the wordplay in her speeches. At the AMA’S we exaggerated a SPEECH THAT ACTUALLY HAPPENED, where Melania CLEARLY PLAGIARIZED (cause that was the joke) didn’t call her ugly, manish, or anything, and everybody LOSES IT?! Really? GTFOH.”
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