CV NEWS FEED // Two former Miss USAs are calling out designer brands Valentino and Balmain over their alleged “close ties” to human rights abuser, Qatar.
JDA Worldwide recently issued a press release on behalf of Miss Tennessee USA 2020 and Miss Mississippi USA 2015, who are both protesting the brands for associating with a Qatar-based investment group known as Mayhoola for investments, which is controlled by the matriarch of Qatar, Sheikha Moza.
Both pageant winners protested the group this past weekend by walking outside of Balmain and Valentino stores in Atlanta, Georgia “tied and bruised to represent the women who are still being held hostage (by Hamas.)” An actress dressed as Moza led the two women.
“It’s women’s history month and international women’s day is coming up and we are here to advocate for women,” said Miss Mississippi at the protest outside Valentino.
“U.S.-ally Qatar, which funds Hamas at approximately USD $350 million per annum and is currently hosting Hamas’ senior leadership in its capital Doha, has been criticized by many for not doing enough to free the hostages held by Hamas since October 7,” the press release stated.
Qatar has assumed a critical role in hostage negotiations since October 7, with some analysts calling the country’s approach “a careful balancing act” between appeasing and maintaining “warm relations with Western powers” while also “keeping ties with radical groups,” such as Hamas.
“We’re here to make a statement that if you are supporting brands that are also supporting the oppression of women, and not just the oppression of women, but extreme acts of violence against them – that you are a part of the problem,” said Miss Tennessee: “So we have to make a statement and demand that the hostages are released. The fate of these women are in your hands.”
There are currently over a hundred Israelis being held hostage in Gaza by Hamas, the press release noted, many of whom are young women.
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