Gigi Hadid speaks out for first time after her and sister Bella were featured in Epstein files

Gigi Hadid has opened up about the 'disturbing' email Jeffrey Epstein sent someone when she was as young as 20 years old.

Since the start of the year, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) has released over three million documents because of the Epstein Files Transparency Act.

Following allegations of a cover-up, the DOJ released previously withheld FBI files detailing allegations against many high-profile figures. Being mentioned in the Epstin files does not indicate any wrongdoing.

The supermodel sisters, made up of Gigi and Bella Hadid, were named in an email exchange between the convicted paedophile and a redacted individual in 2015.

In an email exchange seen by PEOPLE, an anonymous person asked Epstein how Gigi, 30, and Bella, 29, came to 'become models and make so much money'.

Gigi Hadid said she was as young as 20 years old when she was mentioned in the files (Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Images)

"You know," Epstein responded, while the individual said their dad 'paid the agency'.

The disgraced financier replied: "No," and added: "Because they follow directions, it’s that simple."

In a now-deleted comment on Instagram, Gigi reportedly responded to someone who 'had to unfollow' the model because she was yet to speak out about being named in the files.

“Horrible to read someone you’ve never met speak about you that way. Especially in this context,” she wrote, as reported by E! News.

Gigi and Bella Hadid were mentioned in the emails (Neilson Barnard/Getty Images)

“I didn’t comment bc I don’t want to take away from the stories of real victims of his; but your comment made me realise maybe it's not clear—and it’s important to let you know.”

“To be named in those files, I think I was 20-21 at the time he would have written that email — is disturbing,” she added.

“And I want to state unequivocally that I have never had any affiliation with that disgusting human being.”

Gigi said she was aware that she 'grew up privileged' after her parents Mohammed Hadid and Yolanda Hadid 'protected me and taught me the value of hard work'.

Gigi and Bella Hadid were mentioned in an email exchange between Jeffrey Epstein and a redacted individual (Rick Friedman/Rick Friedman Photography/Corbis via Getty Images)

After her signing to a modeling agency in 2012, she said 'I’ve worked hard every moment since'.

It comes after the family of the late Virginia Giuffre, who raised awareness of Epstein's crimes, have urged fired US attorney general Pam Bondi to 'do right' by survivors and give evidence to Congress.

Bondi, who faced mounting criticism in her role over the release of the files, was sacked last week.

Mr and Mrs Roberts said in a statement: “Alliance to a corrupt agenda never serves you!

“Another one falls on the sword to protect the powerful!

“We hope she has the courage to testify and actually do right by survivors this time.”

LADbible Group has contacted Gigi and Bella Hadid's representatives for comment.