Bella Hadid’s biggest regret is being unable to live around Muslims, practising Islam

American-Palestinian model Bella Hadid is one of the most outspoken celebrities to highlight Israel’s ongoing atrocities in Palestine. In the last few years, while the Palestinian cause has gained stronger momentum on social media, Hadid has stood in solidarity with the Palestinian people at many pro-Palestine protests and has been vocal about the cause on Instagram.

Unfortunately, the 25-year-old’s activism resulted in professional setbacks. Last year, Hadid and her sister Gigi, alongside singer Dua Lipa, were subjected to a full-page ad in The New York Times condemning them for their pro-Palestine stance. Hadid also disclosed in an episode of the Rep podcast, hosted by journalist Noor Tagouri, that she has lost modelling opportunities because of her views.

However, in a recent interview with GQ magazine, Hadid admitted that she is willing to accept professional losses as long as it means she can continue her support for Palestine. Reflecting on her early years growing up in Santa Barbara away from a Muslim community, Hadid expressed feeling separated from her Palestinian roots and that she was “never able to see myself in anything” anymore. Often the only Arab girl in her class, Hadid recalled facing racism, and name-calling as a teenager.

“For so long, I was missing that part of me, and it made me really, really sad and lonely." One of her bigger regrets? Not being raised around Muslims, especially after the separation of her parents. "I would have loved to grow up and be with my dad every day, studying and really being able to practise, just in general being able to live in a Muslim culture. But I wasn’t given that,” the model said.

For Hadid, joining the cast of Ramy felt like a natural step forward in rekindling the lost connection with her heritage. According to her co-star and friend, Ramy Youssef, Hadid is still working through what it means to be Muslim. “Bella’s telling you she feels this deep connection when she’s in a mosque or when she’s praying, but there’s also this hesitation to say ‘Muslim’ because of this specificity of what that can look like,” the actor added.

Hadid’s friendship with Youssef has helped her explore some of the subtleties of her faith too. “There was one time when Ramy came over during Ramazan and allowed me to pray with him,” recalled Hadid, beaming at Youssef. “And it was one of the most beautiful moments of my adult life,” she confessed.

This is why her activism is so meaningful to Hadid, as it provides her with a way to stay connected with her roots while shedding light on what her family and everyone else in Palestine continue to endure. “I speak about [Palestine] for the elderly that are still living there that have never been able to see Palestine free, and for the children that can still grow up and have a beautiful life,” Hadid said.

While she has experienced companies withdrawing opportunities and friends dissociating contact, the Victoria's Secret Angel is content with her choice. “I realised that I’m not on this earth to be a model,” she said. “I’m so lucky and blessed that I’m in a position where I can speak out the way that I do. And really, the downfall is what? That I lose my job?

Alongside her modelling, Hadid will be seen making her small screen debut in the third season of the Emmy-nominated dark comedy series Ramy.

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