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The hidden half-sister of Bella and Gigi Hadid is finally revealed: family, fashion, and finding her place
Unveiling Aydan Nix: The (Not-So-Secret) Sisterly Saga
If you thought you knew all there was to know about the glitzy Hadid clan, think again. The family tree just expanded, and its latest branch is ready to bloom—Aydan Nix, the newly-revealed half-sister of supermodels Bella and Gigi Hadid, is finally stepping into the spotlight. For the first time, Aydan opened up about her life and her newly discovered family ties in a candid piece published on December 30, 2025, by The Cut. Her journey isn’t just about DNA; it’s about connection, acceptance, and the everyday grind behind all that glamorous gloss.
Origins: From Orlando to the Hadids
Aydan Nix’s story begins in 2002, born from the relationship between real estate mogul Mohamed Hadid and Terri Hatfield Dull. Raised under the Florida sun in Orlando, Aydan had no inkling of her connection to the world-renowned Hadids until much later. On her own path, and possibly with a few wild Disney World stories to tell, she eventually set her sights on New York, enrolling at the Parsons School of Design.
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Life took a poignant turn when, at 19, Aydan lost her mother’s partner. It was this loss that prompted her to search for answers about her origins. A genetic test would change everything, revealing a link to none other than the Hadid family—including Gigi, Bella, Anwar, Marielle, and Alana, the children of Mohamed Hadid’s various marriages. Suddenly, Aydan wasn’t just a college student; she was the Hadids’ newest half-sister.
Warm Welcomes, Growing Pains
“My sisters and the rest of my family have shown me exceptional kindness and generosity. They made a place for me without having to, and they were very kind,” Aydan shared in her reflections. The Hadids discovered Aydan in 2023, but it wasn’t until May that Gigi and Bella publicly confirmed their relationship with her in the Daily Mail. In her essay for The Cut, she describes how she was quickly and warmly embraced by the Hadid clan. Gigi even introduced her to Palestinian food and culture, an experience that helped her feel both welcomed and informed.
But as with any fairytale, not every moment is tinged with gold. Aydan reflected on a bittersweet aspect of joining a family with such a rich shared history. “No sleepovers, no holidays together, no borrowed clothes, no inside jokes, no stories spun together. They had a whole lifetime of memories, and I felt like the intruder,” she penned. Still, time and shared experiences have helped her gradually find her place among her half-siblings.
Common Ground, Catwalks, and Keeping It Real
As it turns out, Aydan didn’t just inherit family genes—she shares her sisters’ passion for fashion too. Having worked in the industry for several years, she found instant kinship with Bella and Gigi. Many have compared her story to a real-life fairytale, as if her connection to the Hadids magically transformed her world and gave it a touch of extra sparkle. There’s some truth to that, Aydan admits. She’s seized new professional opportunities, including a highly-coveted spot closing the Desigual runway in Barcelona. And, thanks to her blossoming network, she’s crossed paths with influential figures in the fashion industry.
However, before you imagine a jet-set lifestyle filled with perpetual champagne toasts and velvet ropes, Aydan keeps it honest. She describes a life of modesty and hustle in New York. “I live in a tiny apartment in the East Village and depend on my mom,” she confessed. “I take the subway or the bus to work. During the Met Gala, I’ll be working tirelessly, hauling 30-kilogram trunks up the stairs.”
- Discovered her link to the Hadids via genetic test at 19
- Moved from Orlando to New York for design school
- Publicly welcomed as a half-sister in May 2025 by Gigi and Bella
- Works in fashion and even closed the Desigual show in Barcelona
More Than a Modern Fairy Tale
Aydan Nix’s story is certainly the stuff of tabloid headlines and daydreams—unknown Florida student discovers she’s the secret Hadid sibling! Yet, as she herself is quick to point out, it’s less midnight balls, more subway rides and sweat. Her journey is filled with warmth and genuine connection, but also the real ache of missed memories and hard work. While the Hadids opened their arms to her with remarkable generosity, Aydan continues to carve out her place in both the family and the fashion world on her own terms. The hidden half-sister has found her stage, but she’s doing it in sensible shoes—with a suitcase in one hand, and a little bit of family history in the other.
