Gigi Hadid pulls out of the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in China amid controversy

Gigi Hadid has pulled out of the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show 2017 in Shanghai.

Excitement has been mounting about the show, which is taking place for the first time in China, but it will have to go ahead without one of its most famous angels.

Taking to Twitter on Thursday, the 22-year-old model, who was scheduled to walk the runway with her sister Bella Hadid, explained that she would no longer be travelling to China to do the show.

“’I’m so bummed I won’t be able to make it to China this year,” she wrote. “Love my VS family, and will be with all my girls in spirit!! Can’t wait to tune in with everyone to see the beautiful show I know it will be, and already can’t wait for next year!”

News of her pulling out will come as a surprise to many as she had previously expressed her excitement about being selected for the show.

“Forever and ever and ever a dream come true to be asked back to the VS Show!!!” she wrote on Instagram alongside a short video clip of her in the famous black feather angel wings.

So, why the no-show?

Though Gigi has given no specific reason, some have speculated that her last minute drop-out could be connected to an insensitive Snapchat video the model, who is dating Zayn Malik, posted earlier this year.

In the video, which resurfaced this summer after her Victoria’s Secret casting was announced, Gigi appeared to be mocking Asian facial features.

Though the star did apologise on Chinese social media website Weibo, she received a backlash on social media about heading to China for the show.

Some critics went as far as warning the model not to attend this year’s show beneath the Instagram post in which she announced she’d been selected to take part.

Click below for the top looks from the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway of all time:

The other angels, including Gigi’s sister Bella, will make their debut down the runway in Shanghai. The show will be broadcast in more than 190 countries on November 28.

Yahoo Style has reached out to Victoria’s Secret for comment.

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