I LOVE THIS COVER. Bella Hadid covers the latest issue of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia and man, this cover is great. Of course, I’m a bit of a magpie – I’ll generally love any fashion photography if it involves giant jewels. Bazaar Arabia shot Bella in Venice, and the whole shoot is rather lovely – a combination of a great location, good makeup and good angles. You can see the cover package here. Surprisingly, the interview is pretty great too. The Hadid sisters have come a long way in a short time – not too long ago, both Bella and Gigi were giving some really basic-bitch interviews, neither of them saying much about anything. In this piece, Bella talks about politics, Islam, Donald Trump and her hero, Michelle Obama. Some highlights:
On Trump’s Muslim Ban: “My dad was a refugee. He came from Palestine to America when he was a baby. Thankfully, he was able to come, but it was very hard and now it’s probably 100 times harder. It makes me sad that power is getting taken from a lot of people and they’re not able to make a new life for their children and their families. It’s crazy to me that one person can tell you whether or not you can have a better life.”
Taking part in the “No Ban, No Wall” protest: “I just wanted to stand up for what I felt was right and I really didn’t care if I was with 100,000 other people because, with or without security, I wanted to go and stand for something I believe in. Nobody was even looking…. If I can’t talk about something that I’m passionate about, why even be here? Why even do any of the stuff that I’m doing if I can’t make a better purpose for the world, or make a difference, or try to put light on a situation that is obviously so dark? It’s all really scary.”
She finds it advantageous to be a model with a personality: “What’s so beautiful about the time that we live in right now is that it’s not all about the face any more. You have to be more than that. You have to have a personality and you have to be able to go out there and have a conversation with somebody and not be a blank face.”
Crying over news stories: “I’m definitely an empath. I’m very emotional but I’m also very strong. I’ll stand up for myself but I cry at everything.”
Work ethic & money: “Everybody has a different opinion of what hard work is. At the end of the day, if you’re exhausted, you worked hard. I’m definitely tired most of the time… It never felt right to me to ask my parents for money. I never spent money. It still to this day freaks me out to spend money. It would make me happy to buy a really cute $5 T-shirt instead of a designer piece. I never bought anything designer until I was 18 and could buy it on my own. I bought my first pair of Louboutins and that was a very big moment for me. People always think that my parents would buy us stuff. My mom never bought me anything designer. My dad would buy me little things that are more meaningful than a designer purse. I would rather have riding boots. That was what made me so happy…. I think that a work ethic is not only one of the most attractive things in a woman, but it’s one of the most humbling things to be a woman and to be completely independent.”
Her connection to Islam: “That was the best day of my life, when I went and saw the mosque in Abu Dhabi,” Bella recalls of visiting Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque back in April. “I was talking to all of these Arab women and men, and finally understanding the culture a lot more than I ever really have. [My dad] would teach us about it and we would go and do Eid with my family and we would do Ramadan – I did that since I was a kid. Once I got older I was working and going to school so I couldn’t fast for as long. My dad, he’s so passionate about it, and that’s what kept me very passionate and excited about my roots.”On Michelle Obama: “I met Michelle Obama recently, she is one of the strongest women ever and so inspirational, educated, beautiful. A good wife, a good woman, a good person. I think she’s the epitome of an incredible woman.”
Who’s your favorite Hadid sister? Mine used to be Gigi but I have to admit, Bella is growing on me. She seems more content to be politically active, and to talk about her Palestinian roots, her experiences in Islam. While I will always think of the Hadid sisters as nepotism models, I’m also totally fine with letting them grow up and develop into more interesting young women, women who have sh-t to say about the world. I hope Bella keeps talking. It’s amazing to think that there are little girls out there who idolize Bella and Gigi, two daughters of a Palestinian refugee, sisters who raised in Islam and still identify as modern Muslim women. This is what all-American girls look like now. And that’s important.
Photos courtesy of Victor Demarchelier for Harper’s Bazaar Arabia.
But her first big purchase at the tender age of 18 was Louboutins. Seems out of touch but that’s just me.
Your comment made made me sigh. All girls must be everything.
+1
Seriously. No one can ever be everything at once. One persons norm is not another’s. Let people live.
She is very pretty and seems noce, but very out of touch.
It amazes me that so many people think of having money as having desiner clothes, cars etc. Money is not about that. It’s about security. They didn’t buy her desogner bags, but the education she recieved, housing, health care etc is huge.
I think she really gave the out-of-touch factor away when she said she would rather have a cute $5 tee shirt. I don’t think I have ever seen a cute *$5* tee. $15-20, sure. $5? Nope.
Clearance at Old Navy. I once got the most adorable shirt for $3.00. Also got a couple of tanks for $1.49 each. You can score cute stuff at flea markets, too.
I mean, when I was 18 ( I wasn’t super rich, tho) my first big purchase was a pair of 200 dollar uggs that I wanted and now had the money for.
It’s not the same level, but all 18-year-olds are different. I was definitely out of touch at 18 if buying some expensive shoes you don’t need is what we’re going by.
I was too… and was scrapping money for designer crap till 25 :/
90s kid here and when I shelled out $85 for my first pair of classic Pumas I gulped a few tines as I handed the cashier my money. Lol by the time I splurged on Doc Martens a few years later I was desensitized.
I bought a Burberry skirt at 22 that I wanted SO badly (camel Burberry plaid, A-Line, knee length, SO pretty). It was a complete waste of money, but I had income with few expenses so *shrug*. Current me would probably be appalled at the price tags on anything Burberry if I went looking.
One of my first purchases when I started working were a pair of Timberland boots. If you grew up in NYC like I did, a pair of Timbs is like a pair of Loubitons. And I’m far from materialistic. But I EARNED it and thought my parents never bought me a pair (nor did I ever ask them for one), let me buy myself one with the money I made. One of the proudest moments of my life. Doesn’t make me out of touch, or conflict with my beliefs that material possessions shouldn’t own us.
My first purchase at 18 was a stupid LV tote. I worked 2 jobs that summer to be able to afford it. Everyone is different, we want different things. My brothers first purchase at 18 was some mega computer to code shit.
The problem with models and interviews is they start so young — not that young people don’t have anything interesting to say, but lived experience turns you into a more interesting person. I am happy for the Hadid sisters that they are learning from life and growing as people. I am excited to see where they go in the next decade.
And I will always love Bella for elbowing the eff out of that guy that manhandled her.
That was Gigi that elbowed that loser troll.
Then it is Gigi whom I will love forever. Thanks for the correction!
How are Muslims who don’t look stereotypically Middle Eastern percieved in America?
Muslims I know are all from Bosnia, so Slavic, most of them are blond and blueyed, don’t wear headscarves, they drink, etc. How would they be treated in America? Is the discrimination there just about faith or is it largely cultural?
If they’ve got big boobs and like showing them off, no one seems to mind or notice.
Muslims in the US = brown people, in the minds of many racist Americans, and maybe “some of those black people who are somehow Muslim”*. So Indian and Pakistani people, many of whom are Sikhs and Hindus etc., often have stories about being harassed for being Muslim terrorists. Whereas if you don’t “look” Muslim, you just face the same old garden variety anti-immigrant nastiness. Unless you’re a model, like Melania or something.
Long story short – Gigi and Bella Hadid would be considered okay, because they’re hot and get naked a lot and don’t wear headscarves or look “Muslim”. Also, racists are often sh*t at geography.
*ENORMOUS NOTE that this is how these sort of racists think, not my feelings.
I think there’s a difference in how you are treated, tbh. I’m a visibly brown north African Muslim (with a very Muslim name) and am treated differently when I visit the USA and other parts of the world from my Bosnian, Palestinian and Syrian white Muslim friends. People also have narrow viewpoints of how you should look: for example my equally brown friend is constantly asked if she is sure she is Jewish as she is Moroccan and also the idea that all Muslims are brown (as Bella proves, you can be white and an Arab and a Muslim -none of these things are mutually exclusive). People just chose or are conditioned to be narrow-minded, I suppose.
Trust me, you do not want to be behind my Lebanese father in the airport security line.
Depends. It could be discrimination based on the way people behave once they find out their names/last names. People with Arab names arent exactly treated spectacularly.
I have also found that when speaking to many people and they find out you are Muslim but don’t wear headscarves, drink, etc, they seem to enjoy policing your behavior or claim you aren’t really a Muslim (my experience during my college years when I identified as Muslim then and still partied/didn’t wear a headscarf).
Discrimination can come in many many ways.
I can’t speak for them, but I’m Muslim and know a lot of White Muslims (including white Arabs) and they are treated “white” until their names or countries of origin are discovered. Then comes the “oh.” Seen it myself with many Lebanese. They can pass for white and are treated as such until their name is called and suddenly the white person finds out this person’s name is Ali or Fatima. They benefit from white supremacy only to the extent of physical appearance. You can say they “pass” and it worked for them for many years but times have changed obviously and it isn’t as easy for them anymore as it used to be. Just look at Iranians. They are technically considered Caucasians like Armenians and Afghans yet they’re targeted now more than ever.
Whoopsy, Bosnian Muslims tend to trace back to Turkey and very few of us are fair, we actually tend to be quite dark.
I’ve never heard of any of us be treated badly in US or UK on the basis of our religion but others may have different experience.
Bella is absolutely beautiful and a refreshing change of face IMO.
I’m from Croatia, so I know 😀
I wouldn’t say you’re quite dark though? As I said, most of the ones I know are blonde and blue eyed or look like typical brunette caucasians. I mean you couldn’t diferentiate between us if we stood next to eachother? Croatian people from the coast look darker than Bosnians in my experience, being Mediterranean and all.
Anyway, thank you all for your answers.
My dad was a Palestinian refugee as well, and he converted to Islam a few years ago. I know that I very much appreciate the fact that he’s always ensured that we know who we are, where our roots lie, and we’re proud to be Arab (whether Christian like myself or Muslim like my dad and stepfamily). I like seeing that Bella Hadid seems to be that way as well…I definitely find her growing on me more these days. Nothing against Gigi, but yeah.
Same, she’s really growing on me, and I love that she’s discussing what it’s like to be the child of a refugee. My father also fled the region, from Lebanon, and it’s just not a topic that comes up much. Bella’s not my favorite model, but this is a good interview.
I looked up her family history out of curiosity, and apparently they were forced out of their native home/farm by the family they took in as refugees. Really tragic.
Her face is incredible but I always get distracted by her nose (my problem, not hers). And yes, Bella is cool in my book too. I know she gives off icy vibes, but she seems like a nice girl to me.
Her nose is gorgeous. Possessed of a rather dreary button nose myself, I’ve always admired noses with some substance.
Her nose is fake so don’t be too envious of it.
I think her nose is what gives her face its distinct character!
–Oops, seeing downthread that she had a nose job. Still, it’s not Kim Kardashian level where her whole face looks different because of it.
I loved her original nose, even if it wasn’t very modelesque!
I have a soft spot for Bella, and find her the slightly more interesting of the two sisters, but her duck-lipped pose lounging on the stairs is downright hysterical! Girl, this isn’t snapchat!
This reminds of the Kardashian-Jenner women who like to talk about their work ethic and how that’s responsible for their success. I understand wanting to be your own person, but as a saying goes, acknowledge that While you have hit a home run, you started on third base. Otherwise you end up with that Louboutin story. Thinking something was relatable and it’s entirely out of touch.
When I was 20 I bought a Chanel bag to mark the new decade … I scrapped a lot of money for that purpose. It’s not just rich girl problem, it just depend what kind of (stupid) dreams you can have … fortunately I also scrapped money to travel (way much better) .
And I don’t come from a riche family (not even comfortable middle-class)
I don’t care this fad of Instagram models, but I really like her, and her face is interesting. No doubt there’s a lot of girls who follow her, so I’m glad she’s destigmatizing the issue of Islam and immigration.
She surely paid enough for this face, so yeah , interesting is the minimum expected.
https://www.afterplasticsurgery.com/bella-hadid-plastic-surgery/
Who cares? Her previous face was super sweet, if a little angsty-bored teen in the pics online. Is there a model or starlet who hasn’t significantly tampered with their appearance these days?
Yes Betsy there are plenty of models and actresses who do not have extreme surgery like that. Most couldn’t afford it at the beginning of their careers and what made them successful was their original face. Perhaps a nose job but it is never drastic and then beauty treatments but not much else.
Who cares? As a parent and teacher, I care. This entire culture is harming a generation of young people; young women in particular. Bella contributes to the problem and talking about “serious” subjects doesn’t elevate her, in my opinion.
Just a personal opinion on something that is kind of contentious issue. Got to accompany my then partner when he worked in a very conservative Muslim environment. So maybe my first experience with Islam is quite extreme. What I do not understand is that “modern Muslim women” like Gigi and Bella make a living out of selling their images through not so modest means. This is contrary to all I know about Islam. Plus the alcohol. Sex outside marriage. I really don’t understand.
Islam is like any other religion: you have a whole spectrum of practicing from pious to… liberal just culturally attached to the religion.
In christianity not so long ago there was no variety of identification either.
I am not shocked at all, I have various muslim friends, from north african descent and some are religious, some are alcohol drinking -with partner living -and-mini-skirting 😉
Various shades of a whole spectrum
Muslim woman here. There is no one size fits all for muslim women, just like there are none for catholic women, or jewish women or hindu women.
It’s really pretty simple and no different to Catholic women who have premarital sex, abortions etc and still identify as Catholic.
What you experienced was the culture of one country that imposed strict rules of behaviour on the women, it’s a culture that i myself have never experienced. I am less devout than others, but I’m still a proud muslim woman. Funnily enough before i moved to the west i never had to defend my muslim identity even though i was not as devout as my peers. Now, I am continuously pestered by comments from people proclaiming that i cannot be muslim because i do not fit into their narrow definition of who a muslim is. So much for western broadmindedness.
I’ve heard it called online “Culturally Muslim”, where you celebrate and believe but are not necessarily devout as, I suppose, most Americans/western europeans are “Culturally Christian” in that you celebrate Christmas, etc. but don’t generally follow tenets precisely or at all (premarital sex, etc.). I’m a Moroccan man and gay, so I’ve had people say “how are you a Muslim?” but, culturally, I am and I would certainly identify as Muslim. We’re not so different, really. We’re just people trying to live our lives. I’m sorry your first contact was with a group of fundamentals/conservatives. Just like in Christianity, we have a fair few of them too.
Yep. I consider myself Jewish but do not practice the religion. It is just something that’s always sort of there, whether I practice or not.
Same for people who celebrate Christmas fb don’t follow the Bible, and do everything basically that contradicts the Bible.
Religion is a personal thing and it’s definition and meaning should not be hijacked.
There are many lessons in Islam that are outside the whole no drinking, dress modestly etc part of Islam. And I am happy to see Muslim women who present a different face than the tired stereotypical image we see of Islam.
Oh and technically the no drinking thing is a subject that is discussed and viewed differently by many other sects of Islam. Sufi muslims for instance see nothing wrong with the consumption of alcohol and some sects use it as a way to reach an elevated religious experience. Moreover, there is nothing in the Quran that suggest alcohol is banned, only to avoid it. Which again has opened all sorts of discussions and differing of interpretations of the Quran.
Islam is a lot more complex than people think.
Yes and even with the general consensus that alcohol is forbidden, to drink does not take you outside of the fold of Islam. You do not cease to be Muslim if you do what is forbidden or considered sinful. As you said, it’s a lot more complex than people think (but certainly not as complicated as some Muslims make it out to be).
I know your intention wasn’t to be disrespectful, and I’m not trying to sound defensive, but better the Gigi or Bella Hadids than Saudi royals who do much worse and make a ton of money in questionable, borderline haram (sometimes even haram) ways. I don’t like modeling personally and find professions that rely on looks to be…subpar? (can’t find the right word at the moment and my apologies for my arrogance) but I won’t question anybody’s religiosity on account of that, especially if they’re not sounding self-righteous about it.
Muslims, like adherents from any other religion, range from fundamentalist interpretations to just ‘cultural’ religion. My family are all atheists, I have been one since before I knew there was a word for it but we celebrate Christmas every year. I know the lyrics to all the Christmas carols and several hymns. I know the Lord’s Prayer and large sections of the Bible from memory. I am culturally Christian because despite never believing in god I grew up in a predominantly Christian culture.
I have Muslim friends who are atheist like me but that doesn’t change the fact that they grew up in a predominantly Muslim culture. Most don’t drink, not because of any religious rules but because of the culture they grew up in it just wasn’t a thing so they never developed a taste.
I have other Muslim friends who believe in god and believe deeply but they don’t believe that what god is about can be accurately inferred from texts written by people who were much less scientifically literate than we are. They know those religious writings were a product of the times. Just like my Christian friends who have no issue with eating shellfish, being gay or having an abortion.
There are over a billion Muslims in the world and concomitantly over a billion different interpretations of Islam.
Wow, she’s actually giving FACE in that cover. She’s improved a lot as a model, she used to be only slightly better than Kendull Dead Eyes.
As to what she’s saying…I find it really inspiring, actually, to hear her talk openly and normalize her Muslim experience. I only wish it was in an American publication so it would get wider coverage and be easier for her presumptive audience to access.
I love that head piece.
I want that head piece.
I would Lohan that head piece I love it so much. Oh what? This old thing? I came in with it. See no tags!
I would wear it with everything.
She impressed me.
RIGHT ???!!!! I was impressed and also in the photos, she looks like she has life behind her eyes. I think these photos are the best she has ever looked.
There is something about the Hadids for me. I loathe the KJs and their ilk and should loathe the Hadids but I just…can’t. They clearly have more than two thoughts in their head and have experienced life in a way the KJs haven’t.
I have never found her beautiful in the way that strikes me. The fact that she had such drastic plastic surgery to make her face more conventionally attractive turns me off, too. I know that a lot of actresses, models and artists do so but… I respect women who get by on talent alone and think this plastic surgery and image obsessed culture is harming young people.
Also, the issues she speaks of are so nuanced and I don’t believe for a second that she has any education, lived experience or meaningful interest in them to the point where she would actually use her status to create real change. Maybe I’m cynical and old but it just seems to be another image, carefully curated to meet what’s in the news now.
Her image is sooo contrived. Homegirl doesn’t really have a personality besides the one that she thinks will rake in the money. The Complex shoe interview she did (watch if you enjoy cringe humor) will show you that. It is sad to see more people falling for it/becoming apologists for her though just because she manages to say a few buzzwords here and there.
Lynnie: Agree. She seems a very shallow, superficial girl. She takes a lot for granted, is the impression that I get of her, too—like the children of very wealthy parents often do. Nothing in this interview was either insightful, interesting, or profound—though of course, she’s still very young. As for her modeling: she couldn’t have been a model w/out her cosmetic surgery; she looks nothing like she did before. I still don’t find her attractive.
She had a nose job. That’s it. If we didn’t judge anything but tiny noses as ugly it probably wouldn’t have happened. Imagine growing up always negatively compared to your blonder sister with the small nose? Because for sure that happened. I know people like to say that she bought a whole new face but it simply isn’t true. They often compare pre-nose job photos of her smiling side-on with post-nose job photos front on and not smiling. I saw some other pre-nose job photos and she looks exactly the same as now just the grooming isn’t as good and her nose is a different shape. If you cover her nose she’s the same. Similarly if you see side-on photos of her smiling now and compare to those other old photos, again same thing. More than half of the “great beauties of our time” have had nose jobs. Michelle Pfeiffer, Halle Berry, Blake Lively, Kate Hudson, Tyra Banks, Scarlett Johannson, Angelina Jolie, Marilyn Monroe, Giselle Bundchen, the list goes on and on and on. Leave this girl alone. She’s not exactly the only one!
She’s the daughter of a refugee from Palestine and is discussing it. That’s hardly a made up, contrived thing, it just gets more attention now with current affairs. I’m sure she puts on airs sometimes for image, but so does every star. It seems odd to call her out for stuff that everyone does, imo.
She and her sister have had a lot of plastic surgery, and there is no point pretending otherwise. It is not my thing, and I think there is something wrong with going through all of that pain for a modeling career. I know I must sound hypocritical, but I am not a supporter of women changing their entire faces to meet a beauty standard so that they can push that standard in a career based on appearance. That seems off to me. I know from experience it is very unhealthy when a girl dreams to be a model but has to starve to death and go to extreme lengths to fit the type. It never ends well.
I understand nose jobs as it can improve facial symmetry but it shouldn’t change the structure overly much. The sad part is so much surgery early becomes a nightmare as a woman ages because there is nothing left to work with, and then they end up like Megan Fox.
“You have to have a personality and you have to be able to go out there and have a conversation with somebody and not be a blank face.” Isn’t a blank face exactly what she’s known for? This cover was pretty good but usually she looks completely vacant. I never seen a comment or read an article about Bella, where someone talks about her vibrant personality. I mean that sneaker shopping video is a good example…
As long as she is giving a print interview like this and not like that recorded interview about sneakers and being dope and who can get it and who can’t -_-
But she is stunning
That interview! *cringe*
hahahaha that sneaker interview is all I can think about when I see her. So sorry, not impressed.
Dope. The memes are hilarious.
I find her so… weird. She seems like an alien or something. She’s pretty but looks like a robot (and also two decades older than she is, but I can’t understand why exactly).
Has anyone seen this cringey interview that’s been circulating, in which she talks about sneakers and speaks in an embarrassingly affected “cool, hip-hop” way. It’s become a bit of a meme.
It definitely changed the way I see Bella. She seems so self-conscious in the interview. Bella has this ice-cold femme fatale look and seems incredibly poised in photos, but in this video it was so apparent to me that she is still a very young girl playing a part and trying on this persona, and that dating The Weeknd from a young age has probably had a huge effect on what she thinks she’s supposed to be– like, edgy basically.
Gigi and the Kardashians can embrace their princess-y, rich LA girl upbringing a bit more because it’s not that at odds with their persona, but to me, I think Bella’s edgy persona and who she actually is must be worlds apart.
I got so much second hand embarrassment from watching that video.
Yes, girl. I agree with everything. That cringe video really showed how young and awkward she really is (not there is anything wrong with that). She’s playing the “edgy” role needed to distance herself from her sister. I’m sorry, her dad is a billionaire. There is nothing wrong with admitting your priveldge and moving on. This is why she’s no different from the rest of the nepotism models.
I wish I had seen this before I commented up thread. It’s the dissonance between her “edginess” and who she actually is that is probably why I’ll never get on the Hadid train. There’s too much actual talent and personality out there to stan this mediocrity imo.
Yes!!! That is what has bothered me and you articulated it perfectly. It seems manufactured.
Yes, that video was so embarrassing to watch. When was it filmed? Saying “homeboy”, “fresh” and “dope” repeatedly seemed dated to me (in addition to culturally suspicious).
The only thing I will give her with that interview is she dated The Weeknd for a over a year I wouldn’t be surprised if she picked up some of those phrases/mannerisms from him.
She is still hella young. She has been pushed to be all kinds of ways since she was born. Let her figure it out.
All i have to say is “Homeboys gonna get itttttt”
Hahahahahaha!
That sneaker video she was in came up on my Twitter feed. I must admit, I watched it and thought she was very cute and funny. She comes across very well in this interview too. She’s certainly a cut above all of the other Instagram models, in looks and personality.
They are very LA.
Their father’s business practices are shady, and he is engaged to a woman in her early-mid thirties who has had numerous plastic surgeries. He really does look like the cliche of the flashy slightly tacky older man with no taste but plenty of money. He is the epitome of a Beverly Hills guy you see all up and down Rodeo drive with a much younger woman in an expensive clingy outfit on high heels. I bet he has a costly ostentatious watch with maybe some diamonds. They always do. His fiance is on a reality show because of course.
It is a nice spread though, and I think looks good here and animated.
Hopefully, she doesn’t become one of those models who have no interest in education or else she will become a very neurotic dullard as she ages. Some models manage to get their degrees or at least take advantage of virtual learning, but it is not the norm when it should be. A vapid 40-year-old woman becomes an insipid 60-year-old woman clinging to their looks because they have nothing else going on.
Yeah I hope she’ll speak out more, I liked this interview. I have to say, she’s really growing as a model. I hope she and Gigi will keep on speaking more about their culture, Islam and the current political/social climate (though I wonder if they knew much about that).
Also, I wonder what she thinks about her friend Kendull Jenner stupid pepsy commercial?
Much better interview than the ‘homeboys gonna get some’ fiasco. So glad I clicked on this. And you are right, she looks gorgeous.
Why do we applaud people who carry their faith like an armor before themselves?
I do not care if God, Allah, a tree, a unicorn or Church of Sciontology is your thing…. keep it private and be aware that you “believe” something to be right that you do not “know” to be right.
Most of the people are raised with a certain believe and never question it. It is not CULTURE… it is RELIGION. Which is opiate for the masses…
I really wish Agnostics and Atheists would be on the rise…