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Natalie Portman Vs. Dior Ex-Designer’s Anti-Semitism [UPDATE] [VIDEO]

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March 1, 2011

The Oscar-winning, Jerusalem-born Natalie Portman has slammed the anti-Semitic remarks Dior’s just-axed chief designer John “I Love Hitler” Galliano allegedly made after assaulting a couple in Paris last week, as caught on video.  The Miss Dior Cherie spokesperson/model—who pointedly did not wear Dior but Rodarte to the Oscars—released a statement: 

“I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video,” the “Black Swan” star said. “In light of this video, and as an individual who is proud to be Jewish, I will not be associated with Mr. 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.”

Dior fired Galliano, a favorite at the company company since 1996, in the aftermath of his rants:  “In light of the deeply offensive statements and conduct by John Galliano in a video made public [Monday], Christian Dior has commenced termination procedures against him,” one statement reads. “We unequivocally condemn the statements made by John Galliano which are in total contradiction to the longstanding core values of Christian Dior.”

Move over, Mel Gibson and Charlie Sheen. 

So here’s the chain of events to incidents that give a whole new dimension to the term, “Fashion Victim:”  Last week, Galliano was suspended from Dior after allegedly spewing a drunken tirade at a couple sitting near him in Paris’ La Perle restaurant (sample:  “Dirty Jewish face…you should be dead,” he yelled at the woman—who reportedly turned out not to even be MOT—while insulting her thighs and eyebrows.  And “f—king Asian bastard,” he told the man, before threatening to murder him. 

Dior suspended the haute fashionista, citing their “zero tolerance” policy toward anti-Semitism and racism; an indignant Galliano filed a defamation suit against the couple.  But then that disturbing “I Love Hitler” video surfaced—reportedly filmed last year at La Perle—with Galliano caught on tape slurring about his admiration for The Fuhrer and telling another woman that her family would be gassed and that he wouldn’t want peace with “people [such as herself] who are ugly.” 

Portman publicly voiced her disapproval, as did Dior’s President and CEO Sidney Toledano.  “I condemn most firmly the statements made by John Galliano which are total contradiction with the essential values that have always been defended by the House of Christian Dior,” he stated.  “Today, because of the particularly odious nature of the behavior and words of John Galliano in a video made public this Monday, the Christian Dior house has decided to lay him off immediately and has begun firing procedures against him.”

So now the question is:  Will Dior’s fashion show continue as planned for Friday, even though it was conceived by the disgraced designer?  If it does, at least one Oscar-winning actress may not be in the audience.  However, Portman did film her sexy commercial for Dior’s perfume as scheduled last week, directed by Sofia Coppola (see video below).

 

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