Bella Hadid opens up about her mental health, getting a nose job at 14 and regrets she has.
Photo Credit: Vogue
Victim of the Spotlight
Bella Hadid is no stranger to being under the microscope of the public eye. Now, after eight years in the modelling industry, 24 Vogue covers and paparazzi following her every move, the supermodel opens up about the downsides of growing up in the spotlight.
Bella Hadid is known for her mean mug and vampy look. However, the 25-year-old supermodel admitted it’s just a mask she wears as a layer of “shield and armour”.
“The majority of the time when I meet people, they say, I just didn’t think you were going to be nice, that you were going to be this mean, scary dragon lady, or some kind of a sexbot,” she told Vogue. “That’s just not me, and if people have a better understanding of who I am, then I feel less alone within myself.”
Bella also admitted that along with her struggle with Lyme disease, she has faced mental health issues like depression, anxiety and body image.
“I was the uglier sister, I was the brunette, I wasn’t as cool as Gigi, not as outgoing,” she recalls. “That’s really what people said about me. And unfortunately, when you get told things so many times, you do just believe it. I always ask myself, how did a girl with incredible insecurities, anxiety, depression, body-image issues, eating issues, who hates to be touched, who has intense social anxiety—what was I doing getting into this business? But over the years I became a good actress. I put on a very smiley face or a very strong face.”
In high school, Bella developed an unhealthy relationship with food after being misdiagnosed with ADHD and prescribed Adderall. Stimulant drugs like Adderall can decrease your appetite and make your body burn calories faster than usual. In Bella’s case, the drug pushed her into anorexia. Although she now has a healthy relationship with food, she admits that she still struggles with body dysmorphia.
“I can barely look in the mirror to this day because of that period in my life.”
Photo Credit: Vogue
Cosmetic Procedures and Face Tape
Bella has been the subject of multiple cosmetic procedure accusations. In recent years, the “fox eye” trend put the supermodel in the hot seat. Supposed before and after pictures sparked rumours online that Bella had received a brow lift.
“Whoever thinks I’ve gotten my eyes lifted or whatever it’s called — it’s face tape! The oldest trick in the book,” said Bella setting the record straight. Eye lid tape is commonly used at fashion shows and photoshoots in the industry.
The supermodel did admit to getting a nose job at 14 but says that it’s something she regrets doing.
“I wish I had kept the nose of my ancestors. I think I would have grown into it.”