Gigi Hadid Pens Essay: "It Can Be Empowering to Be Able to Defend Yourself"

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(Image credit: Splash News)

You've probably heard about the incident during Milan Fashion Week where Gigi Hadid was accosted by a stranger and defended herself. Now, Hadid is speaking out: She wrote an essay for Lenny Letter eloquently addressing the subject and highlighting the importance of self-defense. 

"If anything, I want girls to see the video and know that they have the right to fight back, too, if put in a similar situation," Hadid wrote. "Practicing self-defense is important so that when you're in the moment, reacting from muscle memory comes more naturally to you than freezing up." 

Hadid went on to say that she didn't think the move to fight back was heroic—it was simply her gut instinct. "I know people are put in much worse situations every day and don't have the cameras around that provoke social-media support," Hadid wrote. "I just want to use what happened to me to show that it's everyone's right, and it can be empowering, to be able to defend yourself." Amen to that. 

What are your thoughts on Gigi Hadid's essay? Tell us in the comments below. And to focus on Hadid's positive experiences during the week, check out one of our favorite outfits of hers from Milan Fashion Week

Opening Image: Splash News

Erin Fitzpatrick
Senior News Editor

Erin got her start as a Who What Wear intern over 12 years ago—back when the site only published a single story per day. (Who What Wear has since increased that number twentyfold.) She graduated magna cum laude from USC, which is how she ended up moving to Los Angeles from her hometown of San Diego. In college, she also interned at Refinery29, where she was promoted to editorial assistant and then assistant editor. After nearly three years at R29, she came back to WWW in 2016, where she currently holds the title of senior news editor (as well as the unofficial title of resident royal expert—in case you haven't noticed her numerous Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton stories). She spends her days trying to incorporate her idols, Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, into as many stories as possible. Outside of work, she loves tennis, classic rock, traveling, and smothering her dog with affection.