Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Portman cuts ties with Dior after Galliano makes antisemitic remarks

Natalie Portman didn't have long to bask in the glory of winning her first Oscar for best actress on Sunday before she released a statement condemning Dior fashion designer John Galliano for professing his love for Hitler.

Israeli-born Portman, who has an endorsement deal with Dior for its Miss Dior Cherie perfume, released a statement yesterday that said she was "deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano's comments that surfaced today."

The video below shows a slurring Galliano at a bar telling a couple at a nearby table, "I love Hitler. People like you would be dead. Your mothers, your forefathers, would all be f****** gassed and f***** dead.”

Portman, who won an Oscar for her role in Black Swan, said, "In light of this video, and as an individual who is proud to be Jewish, I will not be associated with Mr Galliano in any way."

Dior announced today that Galliano will be fired, but Galliano had already been suspended since last week following a similar incident when he subjected another couple to an antisemitic rant. He was arrested and questioned by French police over the allegations.

"I hope at the very least, these terrible comments remind us to reflect and act upon combating these still-existing prejudices that are the opposite of all that is beautiful," said Portman, who is expecting her first child with her boyfriend Benjamin Millepied.

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