Zayn Malik may not want to define his back-on relationship with Gigi Hadid in interviews, but Hadid would like to make it abundantly clear that despite Malik's not following her on Instagram, her boyfriend's and her romance is very real. The model responded to an Instagram post she was tagged in claiming Zigi was just a fake relationship, used for PR, with a long comment explaining how false the claims are and how that user really ought to find a better use of his or her time. PR relationships are a thing in Hollywood, where two celebrities will pretend to be dating to boost both their profiles.
The original account the post was on has since been made private, but screenshots of the original post and Hadid's comment remain.
Hadid wrote, fairly nicely:
Seems like u guys tag me in a new post every day … pls stop.. it’s just negative, I really have no hard feelings towards you I just know what a beautiful world there is togo out and live in instead of trying to dissect a relationship between two people that you don’t even know and that you do not see 99% of… for someone who is virtually inactive on the app, I don’t need his follow- my eyes are tattooed to his chest.
The energy you put into this does not serve you our [sic] your life in any way kids…. truly ‘beating a dead horse.’ You guys can call it promo but I just post about my boyfriend like anyone else, whether I support z or he supports me is out of love and excitement for one another. There’s nothing to figure out all the time… give it a break. this is my last comment on this matter but I hope u know it’s not coming from a bad place, just would love for you to find something else that inspires you in life…. x
Her pretty great comment, "I don’t need his follow- my eyes are tattooed to his chest," refers to Malik not currently following Hadid on Instagram (and he does have a chest tattoo of her eyes). It highlights the fact that Instagram follow lists are not foremost source on whether celebs are on good terms (Selena Gomez and Justin Bieber, for example, also did not follow each other on Insta when they were dating this past fall.)
Then she responded to a fan who told her she should've just DM'd the owner instead of posting a public comment. Hadid explained that she had reached her limit seeing content like this and not saying anything. "Just because I’m 'a celebrity' doesn’t mean I don’t feel, or that my time is too precious to not listen to what people have to say," she wrote. "I’m sure you can see how assumptions like this can be hurtful, especially about someone I love deeply."
Her full comment reads:
I see your point that it should have been a direct message, and I agree- just didn’t think of it. This is all just very frustrating and I’m only human … I’ve seen the shit on this account for just as long as u- and have too stand quiet. - I’ve just had enough.. just because I’m "a celebrity" doesn’t mean I don’t feel, or that my time is too precious to not listen to what people have to say. I’m sure you can see how assumptions like this can be hurtful, especially about someone I love deeply- if you guys love him too, sooner or later you’ll realize we’re on the same team. ;)
I’m sorry if it came off immature, I’m just trying to open a dialog so people understand that their words are hurtful and not just an "anonymous confession" this internet culture is cruel and does not serve a greater purpose. It’s not about anyone standing up for me or about this taking time away from fans that support me, if people that run/follow this account don’t want to believe me or take my advice it’s fine … but one day some of you will look back and realize that sending so much negative energy to others is a waste of life.. i know my truth, we know our truth, this shit won’t change that. Just trying to save some lil girls some time, that’s all …. If they don’t want to see it that way, then you’re right, I’m wasting my time too … but here we are. xx
She later explained to a fan via DM that she would post more about Malik if she wasn't famous. "It's just sad I have to defend my relationship when I just want to feel like a normal girl with a normal boyfriend sometimes," she added with laughing emojis. On the whole, she kept a good sense of humor about it:
Through all of this, Hadid not only shut down the Zigi fake relationship conspiracy theory but also revealed that at this point, Zigi is back on, official, and defined by repeatedly referring to Malik as her "boyfriend."
Malik told GQ in an interview published in mid-June (and presumably conducted some time earlier) that he hadn't DTR with Hadid. "We're adults. We don't need to put a label on it, make it something for people's expectations," he said then. Well, guess time changed that.
Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she's not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.
