Bella Hadid is an American supermodel who was voted “Model of the Year” by industry professionals for Models.com in 2016. She has reached the summit of the fashion world along with her sister, Gigi Hadid.
Who is Bella Hadid?
Bella Hadid is an American model, born on October 9, 1996 at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. and raised in Santa Barbara, California. She began her modeling career when she was sixteen. In August 2014, Bella was signed to IMG Models, and made her New York Fashion Week debut the following month. So far, she has made twenty-seven appearances on international Vogue magazine covers. In 2017, Bella appeared in five international editions (Australia, Arabia, Brazil, Spain, and China), therefore breaking the record for the most Vogue September covers in one year.
Early Life and Family
Bella Hadid was born in Washington D.C. and raised on a ranch in Santa Barbara, California. Her father, Mohamed Hadid, is an architect and real estate developer, while her mother, Yolanda Hadid, is a former Dutch model who starred on The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills.
Bella has an older sister, Gigi, and a younger brother, Anwar, who are also models. She also has two older half-sisters; Marielle and Alana from her father’s past relationship.
Bella was an equestrian as a teenager. She even dreamed of competing at the 2016 Summer Olympics. She only managed to compete in equitation, which is not an Olympic discipline. During a 2017 interview, Hadid described her childhood in California: “Growing up on a ranch in Santa Barbara, I would go to school during the day, then go straight to the barn and ride my horses, have dinner with my family every night at 6pm, do my homework, and go to sleep.”
In 2012, Bella Hadid along with her mother and brother, were diagnosed with chronic lyme disease. In 2014, Bella graduated from Malibu High School and went to New York City to pursue photography at the Parsons School of Design. She put her studies on hold to focus on modeling career. She stated that she would return to school and concentrate on fashion photography once she is done modeling. Bella Hadid said she is also interested in acting.
Career- Early Work
Bella Hadid’s early work dates back between 2012-2014. She was only sixteen years old when she began a modeling career with a commercial project for Flynn Skye. Hadid, alongside Ben Barnes, also appeared in modeling projects like Lesa Amoore’s “The Swan Settings,” and Holly Copeland’s “Smoking Hot.” In 2013, Hadid modeled for Hana Hayes’ Fall/Winter Collection.
Rise to Fame
Bella Hadid rose to prominence between 2014-2015. On August 21, 2014, she signed to IMG Models and made her New York Fashion Week debut in September, walking for Desigual. In December, Hadid was featured on day 27 of LOVE Magazine’s Love Advent Calendar, just after making her first cover appearance on Jalouse Magazine.
Hadid made her runway debut in February 2015, walking for Tom Ford’s Fall/Winter 2015 collection. She then featured in two editions of Carine Roitfeld’s CR Fashion Book – “Fantasy Campaigns,” and “Body By Bella.” Later in May, Hadid walked for amfAR’s 22nd Cinema Against AIDS Gala. She was featured in Botkier Bags’ campaign in the spring. Along with Devo Windsor and Rachel Hilbert, Hadid starred in Victoria’s Secret Pink Holiday campaign in August, and was featured in a Boghossian Jewelry campaign in the fall.
Bella Hadid walked for Marc Jacobs, Tommy Hilfiger, and Diane von Furstenberg in late 2015, and closed Jeremy Scott’s show. Walking for the first time for Metiers d’Art in Rome, Hadid made her Chanel debut in 2015. During the same year, she and her sister Gigi, appeared in Balmain’s Fall 2015 campaign.
Major Breakthroughs: 2016-2017
Bella Hadid made her Chanel Culture debut during Paris Haute Couture Spring/Summer Fashion Week in January 2016. Some of her 2016 major breakthroughs include Marc Jacobs’ campaign, “My America,” Fenty x Puma at New York Fashion week, Joe’s Jeans Spring 2016 campaign, and Australian Fashion Debut at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week among others. Hadid became an ambassador for Dior Makeup on May 31, 2016.
Opening for DKNY and walking for Ralph Lauren, Anna Sui, Marc Jacobs, and Michael Kors, Hadid started off the Spring/Summer 2017 season during New York Fashion Week. She exclusively opened for Versus (Versace) during London Fashion Week. She also opened shows for Alberta Ferretti and Fendi during Milan Fashion Week and walked for Max Mara, Bottega Veneta, Moschino, and Versace.
Hadid’s first new cover of the year was for Teen Vogue, appearing with her best friend, Jesse Jo Stark in 2017. She also appeared on the cover of Vogue China in April and on the cover of CR Fashion Book, Grazia, Porter Magazine, Sunday Times Style, ELLE, and InStyle.
Recent Work: 2018-Present
In March 2018, Bella and her sister, Gigi starred on the cover of British Vogue. She also appeared on the cover of Vogue Japan in May. She opened for Off-White at Paris Fashion Week for the Fall 2018 season and walked the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show for a third time on November 8.
Bella Hadid walked for Redemption, Off-White, and Haider Ackerman in February 2019, at Paris Fashion Week. She starred on the cover of Vogue Greece in April and appeared on the covers of Vogue Espana and Vogue Japan in June.
Hadid walked for Osca de la Renta, Brandon Maxwell, Tom ford, Khaite and Michael Kors in February 2020. She appeared on the covers of Vogue Greece and Vogue Korea in April, and Vogue Paris in June along with her sister, Gigi. Hadid walked for Givenchy’s Fall campaign in February 2021.
Personal Life
Bella Hadid was arrested and charged with a DUI on July 22, 2014. She was given six months of probation and her driver’ license was suspended. Hadid was also ordered to attend 20 hours of anonymous alcoholic meetings and 25 hours of community service.
Hadid was in an on-and-off relationship with Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd between April 2015 to August 2019. In December 2015, she starred in Weeknd’s music video for his single “In the Night.”
Hadid started dating art director Marc Kalman in July 2020. They went public on July 8, 2021, during her time at the Cannes Film Festival and Paris Fashion Week.