Aydan Nix opens up about becoming half-sister to Gigi and Bella Hadid

In a personal essay, Aydan Nix reflects on discovering she is the Hadids’ half-sister and navigating family

More than six months after learning she is the half-sister of supermodels Gigi and Bella Hadid, Aydan Nix is publicly sharing her experience of connecting with her newly discovered family.

In a personal essay published by The Cut, Nix, 23, wrote about discovering her biological connection to the Hadids through a DNA test. Nix is the daughter of Mohamed Hadid and Terri Hatfield Dull and said she first connected with her half-siblings in 2023.

According to Nix, her sisters and extended family have been welcoming and supportive since the discovery. In the essay, she described being embraced by Gigi, Bella, Anwar, Marielle, and Alana Hadid, noting that Bella referred to her as her “twin,” while Anwar called her his “baby sister” during their first conversation.

Nix explained that her half-siblings made efforts to include her not only in their personal lives but also professionally. Already working in fashion, she said those connections helped lead to new opportunities, including walking in the Desigual fashion show in Barcelona. She also credited Gigi Hadid with introducing her to stylist Gabriella Karefa Johnson, whom she later assisted during busy work periods.

Despite the support, Nix acknowledged feeling emotionally conflicted as she adjusted to a family history she did not share. In her essay, she wrote about grappling with the absence of shared childhood experiences and feeling out of place among siblings who had grown up together.

Nix also described learning more about her Palestinian heritage with the help of her half-siblings. She said Alana Hadid shared educational resources, Anwar Hadid’s film Walled Off introduced her to new perspectives, and Gigi Hadid helped familiarize her with Palestinian food and culture.

The DNA results also affected Nix’s understanding of her upbringing, revealing that the sister she had grown up with did not share her DNA. She noted that while this did not alter their relationship, it prompted her to reconsider her definition of family.

While public attention has increased, Nix said her day-to-day life remains largely unchanged. She continues to live in New York City, commute by public transportation, and work behind the scenes in fashion, including during major events like the Met Gala.

Looking ahead, Nix wrote that she remains focused on living independently and maintaining a sense of normalcy despite heightened public interest in her story.