Earlier this week, model Gigi Hadid announced she would be returning to the annual Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, this year scheduled to take place in Shanghai, China.

The 22-year-old announced her casting in the catwalk show by posting a black-and-white video of herself wearing lingerie and the famous angel wings, and captioned the clip: 'Forever and ever and ever a dream come true to be asked back to the VS Show!!!'

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However, the Californian beauty has now come under fire following a video posted by her sister, Bella, back in February, in which Gigi can be seen squinting her eyes as she holds up a Buddha biscuit - a move critics argue is an impersonation of the religious figure.

One fan, according to Metro, wrote on Gigi's latest Instagram video: 'We like some people who respects us, not you. What you have done made us unhappy. And Chinese do not welcome you. So don't come to China (sic).

Another commented, 'We don't wanna see u on Victoria's Secret Fashion Show 2017 Shanghai', while others called her 'racist', 'shameful', and filled her comments feed with snake emojis.

The original video was later deleted and Gigi has now disabled comments on her recent Instagram snap, but several social media users have now taken to Twitter to condemn the star.

Unfortunately for the star, this isn't the first time she's received 'racist' claims.

Last year, the New York-based fashion icon - who is currently dating singer Zayn Malik - was called out at the American Music Awards for impersonating Melania Trump in a skit where she mocked the 46-year-old's Eastern European accent.

In response, Hadid posted a photo to Twitter of a handwritten apology to anyone who was offended by the skit.

In the letter, she noted the impersonation was 'done in good humour' and with 'no bad intent'.

She wrote: 'I was honoured to host the AMAs last night and to work with some of the most respected writers in the business. I removed or changed anything in the script that I felt took the joke too far, and whether or not you choose to see it, what remained was done in good humour and with no bad intent.

'I believe Melania understands show business and the way shows are written and run. I apologise to anyone that I offended and have only the best wishes for our country,' she added.

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Katie O'Malley
Site Director

Katie O'Malley is the Site Director on ELLE UK. On a daily basis you’ll find Katie managing all digital workflow, editing site, video and newsletter content, liaising with commercial and sales teams on new partnerships and deals (eg Nike, Tiffany & Co., Cartier etc), implementing new digital strategies and compiling in-depth data traffic, SEO and ecomm reports. In addition to appearing on the radio and on TV, as well as interviewing everyone from Oprah Winfrey to Rishi Sunak PM, Katie enjoys writing about lifestyle, culture, wellness, fitness, fashion, and more.