Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik Open Up About Parenthood: How Their Daughter Has Impacted Their Lives and Careers

By Lucia Paula , Parent Herald Sep 05, 10:47 am

Photo: (Photo : Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Gigi Hadid, the supermodel, and Zayn Malik, the music icon, may have parted ways romantically, but they remain steadfastly united when it comes to one important aspect of their lives: raising their nearly 3-year-old daughter, Khai.

Despite their split, both parents have maintained a close partnership to ensure Khai's upbringing is filled with love, care, and as much normalcy as possible, given their high-profile status. The couple welcomed their daughter into the world in September 2020 and have been navigating the complexities of co-parenting ever since.

Gigi Hadid's Pregnancy Announcement, Those Early Expectant Days

In March 2020, Gigi Hadid delighted her fans with a pregnancy announcement on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. The news had been highly anticipated, but Hadid took her time to share it publicly, expressing heartfelt gratitude for the wave of well-wishes and messages she received.

To celebrate this special phase of her life, she also participated in a black-and-white maternity photoshoot that artistically encapsulated the beauty of motherhood. The images were shared on her social media accounts, eliciting warm responses from her followers.

Khai was born on September 19, 2020. Both Hadid and Malik kept the birth relatively low-key, making an announcement on their social media channels without initially disclosing their newborn's name. Malik penned a deeply emotional message about the indescribable feelings of love and attachment he felt upon holding his daughter for the first time. It wasn't until January 2021 that the public learned the baby's name, Khai, thanks to a discreet update in Hadid's Instagram bio that now read, "Khai's mom."

In a comprehensive interview with Vogue in February 2021, Hadid delved into the details of her home birth experience. She chose to give birth to Khai without any medication, revealing that it was Malik who caught their daughter as she made her entrance into the world. The couple disclosed plans to raise Khai on Hadid's idyllic farm in Pennsylvania, seeking a peaceful environment for their daughter.

Meanwhile, Malik shared his own insights during an iHeartRadio interview, complimenting Hadid's innate maternal instincts and describing how fatherhood has fundamentally shifted his priorities from career to family.

While the public is enamored with the celebrity parents and their adorable daughter, Hadid has been mindful about preserving Khai's privacy. She regularly posts glimpses of her life with Khai on social media but takes great care to hide her daughter's face from the camera.

In a formal statement released in June 2021, she urged paparazzi and fans to refrain from taking or sharing unauthorized photographs of Khai, stressing the importance of privacy for her child's normal upbringing.

Co-parenting Challenges and Triumphs Amid Public Scrutiny

In October 2021, the couple faced the first significant public challenge to their co-parenting journey when they announced their separation. Malik issued a statement affirming his commitment to Khai and urging privacy during what was a sensitive period for the family. Both parents have since been committed to maintaining an amicable co-parenting relationship, as Malik further confirmed in a recent interview in July 2023, stating that they are successfully sharing custody and that his relationship with Khai remains the focal point of his existence.

Hadid and Malik have been quite vocal about the boundless joy and wonder they experience watching Khai grow and develop. In various interviews, Hadid has been effusive about her daughter's burgeoning intelligence, adapting her daily routines to spend quality time nurturing Khai's interests. Malik, in similar fashion, has consistently cherished the moments he spends with Khai, acknowledging that she has become the central focus of his life, overshadowing even his illustrious music career.

Co-parenting under the glare of constant public scrutiny is undeniably challenging, but Hadid and Malik are managing it with grace and dignity. They're setting an example that it is possible to have a successful co-parenting relationship, even when the eyes of the world are watching.