The Hadid family tree just grew a little more fascinating, and a lot more human. Aydan Nix, the newly revealed half sister of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid, is stepping out of the celebrity footnotes and into her own voice. And what she is saying is not about fame, filters, or fashion week drama. It is about belonging, grief, ancestry, and what it feels like to suddenly discover a whole new family in your twenties.
Nearly seven months after Gigi and Bella confirmed that their father, Mohamed Hadid, had another daughter following his 2000 divorce from Yolanda Hadid, Aydan has shared her side of the story. In a deeply personal essay for The Cut published December 30, the 23-year-old Parsons School of Design graduate offered a thoughtful look into what it means to become a Hadid when you did not grow up as one.
© Aydan Nix / Getty ImagesHer words were not glossy. They were tender. “My sisters, along with the rest of the family, have been nothing but warm and generous,” Aydan wrote. “They have made space for me in ways they didn’t have to. They’ve been kind.” That line alone says everything. Kindness is the real currency here.
Growing up without knowing who you really are
Aydan was raised in Florida by the man she believed was her biological father, who passed away when she was a teenager. When she took a genetic test years later, it was not for fame. It was for closure, curiosity, and a need to understand herself. Instead, it dropped her straight into one of the most recognizable families on the planet.
© Anadolu via Getty ImagesIn late 2023, Gigi and Bella reached out to her. From there, what could have been awkward turned into something quietly beautiful. Aydan describes being welcomed not just by the famous sisters but also by Mohamed’s older daughters, Marielle and Alana Hadid, as well as his younger brother Anwar.
Learning her Palestinian roots through her siblings
Aydan became obsessed with learning about her Palestinian heritage, something she had never been connected to before. Alana shared resources and encouraged her activism for Palestinian freedom. Anwar showed her his film “Walled Off.” Gigi took her to her first Palestinian meal and walked her through the dishes like a proud tour guide.
© GC ImagesThere was also laughter. Bella’s closet. Marielle’s jokes at dinner. Little everyday moments that somehow carry the weight of years that were never lived. Aydan admitted she felt pressure to make up for lost time. "At the same time, I was processing the fact that the older sister I had known my whole life didn’t share my DNA at all," wrote Aydan. "It didn’t change who she was to me, but it forced me to reorient what family meant."
How being a Hadid quietly opened new doors
Somewhere in the middle of all this emotional reshuffling, Aydan’s career also began to bloom. "I got to close the Desigual fashion show in Barcelona," she wrote. "Gigi introduced me to her friend, Gabriella Karefa Johnson, whom I had admired not only for her styling but for her strong convictions and values. I started assisting her when times were especially busy."
© Getty ImagesDespite all the benefits, Aydan said her life "didn’t change much" since her paternity reveal.
Why the Hadid response matters more than the reveal
Gigi and Bella handled this revelation with rare grace. In a joint statement in May, they explained that they had known about Aydan’s existence for some time and had been building a relationship with her privately. “We’ve cherished this unexpected and beautiful addition to our family,” they said. “As siblings, we’ve had many open and loving conversations, with Aydan included, about how to support and protect her.”
They also asked the public to respect her wish for privacy. In a celebrity culture built on oversharing, choosing protection over publicity feels quietly powerful.
