Supermodel Gigi Hadid welcomed her first child, a daughter, with musician and former member of One Direction Zayn Malik last September. Now, the new mom is speaking out in an effort to protect her daughter’s privacy.
News that Gigi and Zayn were expecting their first child became known in April of 2020. The couple did not announce the news on their own. But when their daughter arrived in September, they posted in the excitement of her birth. While they didn’t reveal her name at the time, Gigi did slyly share the news a few months later in January 2021 but writing “khai’s mom” in her Instagram bio.
Late last night, Gigi penned a letter that she shared to her Twitter account that was addressed “TO THE PAPARAZZI, PRESS, & FAN ACCOUNTS.” She began by writing, “As our baby grows up we have to realize that we can’t protect her from everything the way we wanted to and could when she was smaller.” She continued by sharing a little bit about Khai’s curiosity for the world. “She loves seeing the world! and although she gets a lot of that out near the farm, she also gets to experience other places- a true blessing. On our most recent visits to New York, she has started to want her sun shade lifted up (something she is used to at home) and helps herself to it! she doesn’t understand why she’s covered in the city, or what I’ve wanted to protect her from. I also want her to see the most amazing city in the world + the beautiful and diverse people that walk down the streets of NYC … that is, without the stress of the media circus that comes with parents who are public figures.”
The supermodel went on to discuss the varying laws regarding photographing children. “I know the laws change State to State, and I’ve seen some paparazzi photos of kids in NYC with their faces blurred- but, from asking around, I believe that that comes down to the integrity of the photographer, publications, or fans sharing the images.”
From there, she continued with her plea. “I write this all to say: to the Paparazzi, press, and beloved fan accounts, you know we have never intentionally shared our daughter’s face on social media. Our wish is that she can choose how to share herself with the world when she comes of age, and that she can live as normal of a childhood as possible, without worrying about a public image that she has not chosen. It would mean the world to us, as we take our daughter to see and explore NYC and the world, if you would PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE blur her face out of the images, if and when she is caught on camera. I know it’s an extra effort- but as a new mom, I just want the best for my baby, as all parents do… and I hope this can continue the conversation to protect minors in the media, even if they come from a public family. I would like to send a huge ‘Thank You’ to those paparazzi who have been so respectful, since I asked them to keep a distance while I walked with the stroller, since my first trip to NYC with Khai. I see you and I appreciate it.
“For a child, I can imagine that close or dramatic paparazzi frenzies must be overwhelming and disorienting… it still is as an adult that understands and deals with it often. I appreciate you taking the time to read this and hope you can understand where I’m coming from.”
We appreciate Gigi for speaking out about this matter and in her desire to shield her daughter from the public eye.
Kate Fann (she/her) is the BabyNames.com celebrity blogger, as well as an established content writer, aspiring author, and social media expert. She has been featured in online publications such as Bolde, ManoByte, Medium, The Social Observer, and more. Kate has ghostwritten numerous romance novels and is currently working on publishing her own works in the Young Adult genre.
Kate lives in East Tennessee with her husband Casey and her two sons, Quinn and Noah. When she's not writing or scrolling Instagram, Kate can be found tasting delicious wines, playing with make-up, baking yummy treats, or hiking the beautiful Smoky Mountains.
