It’s been half a decade since Gigi Hadid made her first mark in the fashion arena. Today, she’s recognized as one of the most desirable models in the industry. She’s been part of the most high-end fashion shows, working with eminent brands like Chanel and Versace. Moreover, she’s been designing her own clothing lines in collaboration with brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Vogue eyewear. But this prominence also had its downfalls – the inevitable internet trolling that celebrities face. Yet, in a heartwarming interview with her confidante Blake Lively, she unpacks why she doesn’t let that impact her.
Hadid has been candid about her weight loss and body transformation over time, contributing to an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto’s disease. This disease inflames the thyroid gland, leading to weight fluctuations. She recalls her athletic days, her pride in being an excellent volleyball and horseback riding player. But, as she discovered her condition, she had to maintain a healthy diet and routine, unlike her friends who could binge on junk food without any impact.
However, Hadid admits that she misses her “old” physique during these days of coping with Hashimoto’s.
“If I had the choice, I would want my old figure back, especially the one I had a few years ago. But lamenting over the past serves no purpose. I loved my body then, and I continue to love it now,” she shares.
Blake brings up the reality of their industry, where makeup or photo enhancements are often used to perfect their images.
She views photoshoots as a paintbrush to an artist, where everyone doesn’t wake up looking as perfect as in the pictures every day. She further advises youngsters not to compare their appearances with the photoshopped images often seen online.
Blake mentions, “For us, being in shape is part of our profession. We have the luxury of gyms, trainers, and healthy food. But even then, images are manipulated 99.9% of the time. We all have those moments in photoshoots when we’re reassured of being ‘fixed’ digitally, which provides some relief.”
Wrapping up, Gigi brings up the significance of body confidence irrespective of digital enhancements. She believes that our bodies will undergo changes as we journey through life, and there’s always beauty in that.
