Natalie Portman and John Galliano at the Dior reopening party for the New York flagship. WireImage for Dior
In the wake of the anti-Semitic remarks he was seen making in a video leaked online yesterday, Dior issued a statement this morning saying that designer John Galliano has been fired, effective immediately. "I very firmly condemn what was said by John Galliano, which totally contradicts the values which have always been defended by Christian Dior," said Christian Dior CEO Sidney Toledano.Having watched the racist rant, Natalie Portman, the Israeli-born face of Miss Dior Chérie, also released a statement last night. The newly crowned Best Actress Oscar winner said: "I am deeply shocked and disgusted by the video of John Galliano's comments that surfaced today."
"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 suspended John Galliano last week after the designer was arrested for allegedly hurling anti-Semitic abuse at a couple sitting near him at La Perle bar in the fashionable Marais district in Paris.
