Strange Things About Gigi Hadid And Zayn Malik
The following article includes references to mental health struggles and domestic violence allegations.
Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid are the kind of couple the tabloids love — the former is an ex-boy bander with a history of relationship drama, and the latter is one of the world's most famous supermodels. Combined, the pair, who are affectionately known by their stans as Zigi, have been through enough ups and downs that it's probably helped some paparazzi somewhere pay for their child's future college education. They've got that kind of millennial cool that allows them to effortlessly pose for Vogue while rallying against fashion's antiquated gender norms. Basically, Zigi might as well be a modern-day Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston, except this story hasn't yet ended in divorce.
Though Malik and Hadid have epitomized what it's like to be young, famous, and in love since the moment they met at a Victoria's Secret party in 2015, the couple's Hollywood romance is anything but average. From a broken engagement to a hidden pregnancy, here are strange things about Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid's on-and-off love.
Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik came out of nowhere
For two extremely famous people, fans certainly didn't see Zigi coming. According to Cosmopolitan's timeline, the former One Directioner broke off his engagement to fellow "X Factor" star Perrie Edwards just three months before he was first spotted on a date with the supermodel — and let's be real, there was all the drama you'd expect from two celebs who were betrothed before their 23rd birthdays.
Throughout the relationship, Zayn Malik was the subject of numerous cheating rumors — from a random Australian waitress (who was also allegedly a £500-an–hour exotic dancer, according to the Daily Mail) to a mystery girl. To make matters worse, the former One Direction hitmaker reportedly didn't even have the decency to call when he wanted out, or at least that's what Edwards claimed in Little Mix's book. Per Cosmopolitan, the "Black Magic" singer alleged in "Our World" that Malik dumped her via text message, which is only slightly less bad than Carrie Bradshaw's infamous Post-It note (to be clear, he's repeatedly denied this).
Gigi Hadid's path to Malik was slightly less tumultuous, but it was swift enough that when she was first spotted with the "Pillow Talk" singer, fans didn't even realize she'd split from Joe Jonas. According to People, G.I. Joe called it quits sometime around Halloween in 2015. By November, Hadid had reportedly already gone on her first date with Malik.
This celeb pairing got ultra private for a bit
After months of rumors, Gigi Hadid's new relationship made its public debut in Zayn Malik's video for "Pillowtalk." As The Telegraph put it, the singer's solo debut was "an x-rated version" of his former boy band that saw the star share steamy scenes with his new boo. Sadly, about five months later, rumor had it the pair's romance was already on the rocks.
According to E!, the couple split in June 2016 after seven months of dating — but at the time, a source claimed they could likely "get back together tomorrow." We're not sure if the rumors were ever true, but if they did quietly split, they sorted it out quickly behind the scenes. The following month, Hadid confirmed via Instagram that the pair was still going strong.
Back then, Hadid and Malik regularly spoke about each other to the press, like when the supermodel gushed about their first date in 2016 or when they posed together on the cover of Vogue the year after. That all changed following their first confirmed breakup in March 2018. Whatever happened with that split wasn't something that could be easily fixed in a matter of days. Though they did eventually get back together, Elle reports that they mostly decided to keep things quiet going forward. After that, they barely spoke about their relationship until 2020, when Hadid mentioned "Z" during an Instagram Live with makeup artist Erin Parsons.
Gigi Hadid allegedly wanted Zayn Malik to quit touring
Zayn Malik has been vocal about his struggles with anxiety. In 2016, he canceled two tour dates in three months, citing his anxiety, according to the Independent. This included a hometown gig at the Capital Summertime Ball, which became a turning point. In his eponymous memoir (via TIME), Malik revealed that he was suffering from "the worst anxiety" of his entire career — and this was coming from someone whose song for the second "50 Shades of Grey" flick was played incessantly for a good year. Anxiety just happens, and it doesn't always make sense.
Following the cancelation, Gigi Hadid published an open letter in support of her man, but when his anxiety was still an issue a year later, the model allegedly started urging him to quit the thing he loved most. According to an insider who spoke to Life & Style, Malik's panic attacks were still so severe that he could "barely breathe or move," and Hadid asked him to "take a year off to focus on himself" and quit touring altogether. "He loves cooking, and it helps him relax, so Gigi suggested he pursue that more seriously," the source said.
Though Malik has been known to make a mean Yorkshire pudding, it's quite a leap to go from a stage in front of thousands to hiding in the kitchen. As we know now, Malik never gave up. In 2020, he released a video for his song "Better."
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
The supermodel's got all eyes on Zayn Malik
Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid's 2018 split was for real. The pair issued joint statements, and while they went their separate ways and focused on healing, Malik was stuck with an unfortunate reminder. As Harper's Bazaar pointed out, the former One Directioner was stuck with a tattoo of Hadid's eyes square across his chest. In other words: every time he stood in front of a mirror shirtless, his ex was staring back. To make matters even more awkward, Malik had already unfollowed both Gigi and her sister, Bella Hadid, on Instagram. They didn't appear to be on good terms.
This isn't the first time Malik was stuck with a tattoo of a former flame. The singer also inked a portrait of Little Mix's Perrie Edwards before calling off the engagement. According to Cosmopolitan, he got that one covered up, but thankfully, Malik didn't have to go through that process with the eyeball ink — at least not yet. He may want to close the lid on that one in the future (or put on a pair of sunglasses).
Don't 'put a label' on Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik's love
Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik's relationship wasn't always so black and white. There was a time where they weren't broken up, but they weren't exactly together — at least, that's what they told the press. Following their 2018 split, Malik revealed in a GQ cover profile that they were "still really good friends" and "still in contact," which was just about the understatement of the century.
At the time, paparazzi regularly caught the pair together (even kissing!). Malik had recently purchased a farm in rural Pennsylvania, not far from the Hadid's family farm. In fact, Gigi's mom, Yolanda Hadid, was the one who gave him the recommendation, and as GQ pointed out, "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" alum had taken a "Kris Jenner–ian role in his life." He even owned a horse with Gigi that he named Cool. That's cool.
So, what was their relationship status? It seems like he wasn't even sure. "We're adults. We don't need to put a label on it, make it something for people's expectations," Malik said.
Gigi Hadid accepted Tyler Cameron's rose
Gigi Hadid's dating history is filled with A-listers, including Joe Jonas and Miley Cyrus' now-ex, Cody Simpson. This is why it was ultra-surprising that the model rebounded with a failed reality TV contestant during an off-period away from Zayn Malik. According to E!, Malik and the model took some time apart in January 2019, and a few months later, she began dating Tyler Cameron, who infamously lost out during Hannah Brown's season of "The Bachelorette." Hey, one woman's trash is another woman's treasure, right?
Per E!, the pair met the modern way: they slid into each other's DMs on Instagram. Around the time of their first date in August, Brown was drumming up drama by telling ET that she had "feelings" (a little late, considering she sent him home). Us Weekly claimed there was some sort of "love triangle" happening, but Hadid clearly won out. The pair grew close enough that Cameron supported the model at her grandmother's funeral in September.
Unfortunately, Cameron and Hadid's relationship — or whatever the press wants to call it — was even more short-lived than most "Bachelorette" engagements. In October, the universe righted its wrongs and the pair called it quits. By November, E! was claiming that Malik and the model were back "in touch."
And just like that, Gigi Hadid was with child
It looks like a little detour in the Bachelor Nation was just what Gigi Hadid needed to know what she wants. The model and Zayn Malik rekindled their romance shortly after Hadid's split from Tyler Cameron, and in February 2020, she officially confirmed their relationship with an Instagram post. Two months later, TMZ revealed that the couple were expecting a child — and Hadid had been hiding the secret for about 20 weeks.
Though Gigi's mom, Yolanda Hadid, confirmed her daughter's pregnancy to a Dutch magazine (via Elle) not long after TMZ's report, Gigi managed to keep her baby bump hidden for much longer. In fact, we didn't get a real glimpse of her tummy until August, when she posted maternity photos on Instagram. Prior to that, the model claimed that she had been strategically placing clothing to create "an optical illusion." She also revealed during an Instagram Live that she chose not to gush because of the state of the world.
"Obviously a lot of people have lost lives due to coronavirus," she said (via BuzzFeed). "That was in the beginning of quarantine and still happening. And then we moved obviously into the reemergence of the [Black Lives Matter] movement, and I thought that our presence on social media should be used for that."
Gigi Hadid skipped the hospital and gave birth at home
Despite the pair's ups and downs, a baby was seemingly always the plan. A source that spoke to Us Weekly claimed Gigi Hadid "always wanted to start a family" with the former One Directioner, but they just went about it a little differently than most. Hadid forwent the hospital and reportedly gave birth at home.
According to Page Six, the model had a homebirth in mid-September 2020 at the rural Pennsylvania farm where she'd been quarantining with Zayn Malik since May. This was ultra-convenient for her mother, who lives nearby. Though the pair did confirm the birth happened, they haven't shared too many details. All we know is that Taylor Swift — the arguable queen of crafts — reportedly sent the couple's newborn a handmade blanket. Gigi also reportedly got flowers from Tommy Hilfiger and Kendall Jenner, Versace baby clothes from Donatella Versace, and a "mama" necklace from Malik.
Of course, that stuff was just icing on the cake. The real gift was their baby girl. In a Twitter post, Malik gushed, "The love I feel for this tiny human is beyond my understanding. Grateful to know her, proud to call her mine, & thankful for the life we will have together."
Their love never faltered
Throughout Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid's very up and down relationship, one thing never faltered: their deep connection. Yes, even when Hadid took that bizarre detour with Tyler Cameron or amidst the headline-grabbing incident that broke them up (which we'll get to later). Per a source who spoke to Us Weekly, "Even when there were times that they weren't a couple, the love was still very much there." The concrete evidence? Malik fiercely defended the model when they were on the outs.
In April 2019, Hadid found herself the subject of numerous dating rumors that linked her to Selena Gomez's ex-boyfriend, Samuel Krost, which would've meant she totally broke girl code and potentially fractured Taylor Swift's girl squad. This, of course, was not true, and Malik went on a profanity-filled Twitter rant defending the model's name.
According to Harper's Bazaar, it kicked off after an initial tweet where he claimed, "you aren't the person you said you were." Fans believed he was referencing his split from Hadid, and he quickly set them straight. "My tweet was not about [Hadid] so leave her the f*** alone," he wrote. "She is the most amazing woman I've ever known and does nothing but love and support me when lord knows I don't deserve it. So if you have anything to say @ me and I'll put you the f*** straight." Those are fighting words!
First comes baby, then comes marriage for Zigi?
At the height of the pair's baby news, Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid still hadn't tied the knot. Sure, they were "thrilled" to be parents (according to People), but the couple have never been the type of duo that caves into social norms. That doesn't stop the rumor mill. Per Elle, fans thought marriage was right around the corner. Did the pair get engaged without us even knowing?
The main source of the rumor came from one of Malik's tattoos in 2020, which was spotted in an Instagram Story from jeweler George Khalife. He had shared matching evil eye bracelets that he made for Hadid and Malik. On Malik's arm, you could clearly see stanzas from the poem "On Marriage" by the Lebanese-American poet Kahlil Gilbran. It's something regularly read at — you guessed it — weddings, and Malik has shared it in the past.
The fire was further fueled when, during a Patreon livestream, musician Ingrid Michaelson mistakenly said Malik that was married while promoting their track "To Begin Again." Not long after, a source told Us Weekly that he and Hadid were in no "rush" to get hitched. Today, that so-called "no rush" has turned into a screeching halt.
His messy Yolanda Hadid controversy marked the end of Zigi
About a month after their daughter's first birthday, Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid's shocking breakup hit tabloid headlines in October 2021. This wasn't just your run-of-the-mill celebrity split. It was a criminal case involving Gigi's mother, Yolanda Hadid. Here's what allegedly happened.
According to TMZ, Yolanda was "seriously considering filing a police report" after Malik allegedly "struck" her (claims which he's "adamantly den[ied]"). Court documents obtained by TMZ shed a little more light on the situation. Allegedly, while Gigi was away in Paris, Malik and Yolanda got into a major argument at their Pennsylvania home. He reportedly "shoved her into a dresser" after calling her a "f***ing Dutch slut" and told her "stay away from [my] f***ing daughter." He also reportedly called Gigi and told her to "strap on some f***ing balls and defend your partner against your f***ing mother in my house."
Malik was ultimately "charged with four criminal offenses of harassment" and pleaded no contest. In a Twitter statement, the singer claimed his plea was "an effort to protect" his daughter's privacy — not an admission of guilt. In addition to being fined, he was ultimately ordered to complete a domestic violence program, an anger management class, and 360 days of probation.
If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224. You can also find more information, resources, and support at www.thehotline.org.
Where's the breakup drama?
The shocking dispute and criminal case undeniably caused a rift between the Hadids and Maliks. Zayn Malik's sister even got involved, issuing a harsh public warning to Yolanda Hadid. Still, there's a bizarre lack of drama — at least on the surface. The incident seems to have brought Gigi closer to her sister. Bella Hadid. She's also reportedly co-parenting amicably with Malik. A source told Us Weekly that the pair are "getting along just fine" and have "been in each other's lives in some way or another for the past few weeks." There's reportedly "no custody battle" over their daughter, Khai, and there's even whiffs of reconciliation.
According to InTouch, the former One Direction star "has been working on himself." They both still apparently share a "strong emotional connection," but there are — quite understandably — trust issues. "He'd have to prove that he has fixed his anger problems and completely changed for Gigi to consider giving him another chance," the source claimed. "They're taking it one day at a time and seeing what happens, but she's prioritizing Khai over anything else."
Since this pair is remarkably quiet, we probably won't hear about anything unless it ends up in court.
Is Zayn Malik looking for love on dating apps?
It's almost impossible to verify the validity of this report, but if it's true, it looks like Zayn Malik is moving on just like the rest of us. He's reportedly turning toward dating apps to get over his breakup from Gigi Hadid. More specifically, he's allegedly using an app geared toward plus-sized singles. Hey, Tinder is no picnic, and the man knows what he likes.
Per Page Six, the rumors began when a person who looked suspiciously similar to Malik was spotted on WooPlus with the profile name Zed in January 2022. The dating app describes itself as "a friendly environment to find other plus size singles for friendship, dates, relationship, and love." Supposedly, users have to "verify their identity using facial recognition technology," which only fanned the flame. The user was indeed real — but was it Malik?
From our non-expert perspective, the images could go either way. WooPlus obviously wouldn't confirm the man's identity, but the singer has been known to sport a beard every now and then. He even debuted a new look with a very full beard in early 2022, and he's always been honest about his dating preference. Way back in 2016, he told Billboard that he likes "a fuller woman" and "girls that are a bit chunky in certain areas." Don't stars have Raya for this?