In a strange twist in one of the most high profile trials in recent years, Gigi Hadid has been revealed as one of the potential jurors in the rape trial of Harvey Weinstein.
The model was seen filing into the New York courtroom yesterday (January 13), in the long line of possible jurors who are still being whittled down by the disgraced producer’s lawyers and accusers.
Speaking to the judge, Hadid explained that she had previously met Weinstein, and knew actor Salma Hayek, who accused the mogul of sexual harassment and aggression after she turned down his advances. The model’s friendship with Cara Delevingne – who’s raised allegations against Weinstein – will also likely impact her chance of selection. Though when asked if she could be an impartial juror, Hadid said: “I think I’m still able to keep an open mind on the facts.”
Weinstein’s long-awaited trial started last week (January 6), and sees the producer facing five charges including rape and predatory sexual assault – though over 80 women have come forward since The New York Times published its exposé in 2017.
Arriving at the courtroom with a walking frame – which many have accused him of using for sympathy as opposed to necessity – Weinstein was met by a number of his accusers, including Rose McGowan and Rosanna Arquette. “That we’ve come to this moment of justice is staggering,” McGowan said to reporters at the opening of the trial. “Today is a day for us to honour how far we’ve come and how much we’ve endured to get here. Survivors will never give up.”
On the first day of his trial in Manhattan, Weinstein was hit with two new charges in Los Angeles, relating to the sexual assault of two women over two days in 2013. The producer has denied all of the charges, but – if convicted – faces a life sentence for the New York accusations, plus 28 years for the LA ones.
The 67-year-old has shown little remorse for his actions, recently claiming to be a champion of women, and expressing the belief that he will be able to rebuild a career in the film industry after the trial ends.
Read Dazed’s interview with Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey – the journalists who exposed Weinstein’s crimes – here.