Who is May Tager? Israeli Model To Replace Bella Hadid As Dior's Brand Ambassador
An article that reveals the truth behind the controversy surrounding May Tager, the Israeli model who appeared in Dior's holiday campaign, and Bella Hadid, the Palestinian-American model who supported the Palestinian cause. Read the full article below for more details.
May Tager vs Bella Hadid: The Truth Behind Dior's Holiday Campaign Controversy
May Tager is a 24-year-old Israeli model who has recently gained attention for her appearance in Dior's 2023 holiday campaign, alongside Hollywood actress Anya Taylor-Joy. Tager, who has worked with international brands such as Giorgio Armani, Louis Vuitton, and Victoria's Secret, is one of the few Israeli models to achieve global recognition in the fashion industry.
However, Tager's involvement with Dior has also sparked controversy, as some social media users have accused the French luxury fashion house of replacing Palestinian-American model Bella Hadid with Tager, due to Hadid's vocal support for the Palestinian cause and criticism of Israel's policies. Hadid, who has been the face of Dior's makeup since 2016, posted a statement on Instagram in October 2023, expressing her solidarity with the people and children of Palestine, especially in Gaza, who suffered from the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas. Hadid also revealed that she had received hundreds of death threats and felt her family was in danger because of her stance.
The rumor that Dior had dropped Hadid and hired Tager as a replacement was first reported by Turkiye's Yeni Safak, a Turkish newspaper, and then picked up by a local Israeli newspaper, Ynet News. The latter celebrated the news as a sign of Dior's support for Israel, while also noting that Tager had previously posed with an Israeli flag in a photoshoot with Dubai-based model Anastasia Bandarenka in 2020, which was hailed as a historic moment of peace and cooperation between the two countries.
However, the rumor was soon debunked by The Associated Press, which cited a person close to the matter who said that Hadid's contract with Dior had ended in March 2022, long before the latest conflict, and was not extended for commercial reasons. The person also said that Tager was not a replacement for Hadid, but one of several models who appeared in Dior's holiday campaign, which also featured Taylor-Joy as the main star. Tager was also in the 2022 version of the campaign, along with other models.
Neither Hadid nor Tager has commented publicly on the controversy, but both have continued to share their work and personal lives on their social media platforms. Tager, who grew up in Ganei Tikva, Israel, where her parents moved from Denmark, has posted several photos and videos of herself wearing Dior's products and outfits, as well as expressing her gratitude and excitement for being part of the campaign. Hadid, whose father is Palestinian and mother is Dutch-American, has posted several photos and videos of herself with her family and friends, as well as promoting her own clothing line, Chrome Hearts.
Dior has not issued any official statement on the controversy, but has continued to showcase its holiday campaign on its website and social media platforms, featuring Tager, Taylor-Joy, and other models. The campaign, which is titled "Dior Lights Up", aims to celebrate the festive season with a dazzling display of colors, lights, and glamour. The campaign also includes a short film, directed by Harmony Korine, which shows the models dancing and having fun in a neon-lit cityscape.
Conclusion:
May Tager is an Israeli model who has been featured in Dior's holiday campaign for 2022 and 2023, alongside actress Anya Taylor-Joy. However, her involvement with the French fashion house has sparked controversy, as some people have accused Dior of replacing Palestinian-American model Bella Hadid with Tager, due to Hadid's support for the Palestinian cause. However, this rumor has been proven to be false, as Hadid's contract with Dior ended in March 2022, long before the latest conflict between Israel and Palestine, and was not extended for commercial reasons. Tager is not a replacement for Hadid, but one of several models who appeared in the campaign, which celebrates the festive season with a dazzling display of colors, lights, and glamour.