Charlotte Tilbury denies ending Bella Hadid's contract over Gaza views

Charlotte Tilbury has denied ending Bella Hadid’s contract over the supermodel’s forceful criticism of Israel’s war in Gaza.

The British cosmetics brand terminated its partnership with Ms Hadid in November, just eight months after it announced the 27-year-old as the face of the brand, it emerged in March.

The move came weeks after the American model, whose father is Palestinian, spoke out against Israel’s offensive in Gaza in the wake of Hamas’s Oct 7 attack.

But Charlotte Tilbury denied its decision was related to Ms Hadid’s political views, saying it was instead triggered by the model opting to launch her own line of beauty products.

“[It is not the case that] personal views held by Bella impacted our contract or relationship with her,” the company told The New Arab website on Thursday.

“Bella Hadid and Charlotte Tilbury Beauty’s professional relationship has come to its end as Bella prepares to launch her own beauty brand,” it added, noting Ms Hadid “remains a close friend” of the firm.

Ms Hadid has not publicly commented on her contractual situation with Charlotte Tilbury, but on Thursday posted a teaser for her planned cosmetics company, Orebella.

Reports suggested the supermodel’s departure was abrupt and had come as a surprise to staff at the company amid speculation that it may have been linked to her criticism of Israel.

Entertainment Tonight, an American news website, cited a source as saying: “Hadid was released from her contract with Charlotte Tilbury. The model was notified in November and was given the reason ‘force majeure’ in her contract.”

Force majeure is a clause that allows parties to be released from a contract under exceptional circumstances.

‘Could not be silence’

In October, Ms Hadid said she could “not be silenced any longer” over the situation in Gaza.

“Fear is not an option. The people and children of Palestine, especially in Gaza, cannot afford our silence. We are not brave – they are,” she said in an Instragam post.

“My heart is bleeding with pain from the trauma I am seeing unfold, as well as the generational trauma of my Palestinian blood,” Ms Hadid added.

“Seeing the aftermath from the air strikes in Gaza, I mourn with all the mothers who have lost children and the children who cry alone, all the lost fathers, brothers, sisters, uncles, aunties, friends that will never again walk this earth.”

The model – whose father Mohamed and sister Gigi have also hit out at the war in Gaza – said she also “mourned” for the Israeli families affected by Hamas’ attack and condemned the terror group’s actions.

“Regardless of the history of the land, I condemn the terrorist attacks on any civilians, anywhere,” Ms Hadid said.

Having cut ties with Charlotte Tilbury, Ms Hadid is set to launch her cosmetics and wellness company Orebella in May.