Olivia Jade Attends Glitzy Event Amid Backlash Over College Scandal Campaign
The social media personality appeared at a New York event with Pamela Anderson while facing criticism for a modeling campaign that referenced her family's admissions scandal.
Olivia Jade Giannulli made a public appearance at a Hublot x Jeff Koons Balloon Dog Launch event in New York City on Wednesday, seemingly unfazed by backlash over her latest modeling campaign. The event, held at Studio 525, celebrated a partnership between the luxury watchmaker and artist Jeff Koons. Giannulli was seen wearing a black baby doll dress and chunky heels, accessorized with oversized sunglasses and a watch.
Also in attendance was actress Pamela Anderson, who opted for a makeup-free look and wore a cream turtleneck with a skirt. Both women showcased their timepieces at the event, which unveiled a new watch collection merging fine watchmaking with pop art.
The appearance comes on the same day Giannulli launched a new campaign with the brand Reformation. In promotional images, she posed topless, holding a red clutch to cover herself, and in another shot, wore a grey sweatshirt with the word 'college' emblazoned across it. This campaign has drawn criticism for referencing the 2019 college admissions scandal that involved her parents, Lori Loughlin and Mossimo Giannulli.
Online commentators on platforms like Reddit expressed disapproval, with one user calling the campaign "tacky" and "embarrassing." Critics pointed to the scandal, in which Loughlin and Giannulli paid $500,000 in bribes to secure spots for their daughters, Isabella Rose and Olivia Jade, on the University of Southern California's rowing team despite no prior experience in the sport. Giannulli herself addressed the scandal in a 2020 interview, stating her parents acted out of love and believed their actions were normal.
Reformation announced that 100% of proceeds from the 'college' sweatshirt would be donated to YES Scholars, a non-profit organization aimed at increasing access to higher education for marginalized communities. Despite the charitable component, the campaign faced significant negative reactions online. Giannulli's parents pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges in May 2020. Loughlin served a two-month sentence, while Giannulli served a five-month sentence. The Operation Varsity Blues investigation, as it was codenamed by the Department of Justice, implicated dozens of wealthy families in a scheme to secure college admissions through bribery and fraud.