new york – Jewish actress Natalie Portman has taken time out from celebrating her Oscars triumph to publicly slam John Galliano after a video emerged of the fashion designer admitting his “love” for Nazi tyrant Adolf Hitler. The style guru was arrested last week after he allegedly hurled racist insults at a couple drinking in a Parisian bar. He was released without charge but was suspended by bosses at fashion house Christian Dior, where he is head designer, while further police investigations took place. Galliano’s lawyer denied the claims, and revealed that the star is planning to sue the couple for defamation.
But the flamboyant couturier faced further scandal on Monday with the release of a new video which apparently shows him lashing out at another group of drinkers at the same bar, telling them, “I love Hitler”. Now Best Actress Oscar winner Portman, who is currently the face of Christian Dior’s Miss Dior Cherie fragrance, has taken aim at Galliano – insisting she will no longer have anything to do with the shamed designer. She says in a statement, “I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano’s comments that surfaced today.
In light of this video, and as an individual who is proud to be Jewish, I will not be associated with Galliano in any way. 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.” The designer attended a Paris prosecutor’s office on Monday and denied all the allegations.
