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5 Defining Moments That Shaped Gigi Hadid's Younger Years Before Supermodel Fame

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The world knows Gigi Hadid as one of the most bankable and recognizable supermodels of the modern era, gracing every major runway and magazine cover. However, the story of Jelena Noura Hadid's younger years is a fascinating blend of early exposure to the spotlight, intense athletic ambition, and a brief, intentional detour from the fashion world that ultimately set the stage for her global dominance.

As of December 2025, Gigi Hadid's career continues to evolve, balancing high-fashion campaigns with her role as a mother, sparking renewed curiosity about the pivotal moments that defined her life before she became the generational icon she is today. Her journey from a horseback-riding athlete in Malibu to a New York Fashion Week sensation is a testament to her drive and the strategic choices made in her formative years.

Gigi Hadid: Complete Biographical Profile (Younger Years to Present)

  • Full Name: Jelena Noura Hadid
  • Date of Birth: April 23, 1995
  • Age (as of Dec 2025): 30
  • Place of Birth: Los Angeles, California, U.S.
  • Height: 5 ft 10 in (178 cm)
  • Parents: Mohamed Hadid (Real Estate Developer) and Yolanda Hadid (Former Model, TV Personality)
  • Siblings: Bella Hadid (Younger Sister, Model), Anwar Hadid (Younger Brother, Model), Marielle Hadid (Older Paternal Half-Sister), Alana Hadid (Older Paternal Half-Sister)
  • Education: Graduated from Malibu High School (2013); Attended The New School in New York City (Studied Criminal Psychology)
  • Early Career Start: Child model for Baby Guess (age 2)
  • Modeling Agency: IMG Models (Signed 2013)
  • Daughter: Khai Hadid Malik (with former partner Zayn Malik)

1. The 'Baby Guess' Debut: A Two-Year-Old Model

Gigi Hadid's introduction to the modeling world didn't happen in her late teens, but when she was barely a toddler. At just two years old, she was discovered by Paul Marciano, the co-founder of Guess, who was a family friend.

This early start saw her become a child model for Baby Guess, a role she would maintain for a few years. This initial exposure to commercial modeling was foundational, giving her an understanding of the industry from a very young age. However, her parents, Mohamed and Yolanda Hadid, prioritized a normal childhood and education. Consequently, Gigi took a deliberate break from professional modeling to focus on school and her intense passion for athletics.

2. The Athlete: Competitive Horseback Riding and Varsity Volleyball

Before the runways of Milan and Paris, Gigi's true competitive arena was the equestrian ring and the volleyball court. Her younger years were heavily dedicated to sports, a fact that often surprises fans who only know her as a supermodel.

During her time at Malibu High School, she was a dedicated athlete. She was the captain of the school's varsity volleyball team, showcasing her leadership and teamwork skills. Even more significant was her commitment to competitive horseback riding. She spent her teen years show-jumping, a sport that requires immense discipline, focus, and physical strength. This athletic background instilled a strong work ethic and resilience, qualities that proved invaluable when she re-entered the demanding world of high fashion.

3. The Strategic Move: College in New York City

After graduating from Malibu High School in 2013, Gigi made a pivotal decision that placed her directly in the heart of the fashion world, yet still prioritized her education.

She moved across the country to New York City to attend The New School, enrolling in a program to study Criminal Psychology. This move was strategic: it allowed her to pursue her studies while simultaneously being in the optimal location to pursue modeling professionally, which she had decided to do full-time. She signed with the prestigious IMG Models agency around this time (sources cite both 2011 and 2013 for her signing), marking her official return to the industry as an adult.

4. The High-Fashion Baptism: Desigual and Carine Roitfeld

The transition from a commercial child model to a respected high-fashion figure is notoriously difficult, but Gigi's breakthrough came swiftly. Her true "younger" career moment—the one that launched her into the supermodel stratosphere—was her New York Fashion Week (NYFW) debut.

  • The Debut: In February 2014, Gigi walked her first major runway show for the brand Desigual during NYFW.
  • The Endorsement: Crucially, she credits French fashion editor Carine Roitfeld for taking a chance on her and helping to legitimize her presence in high fashion. Roitfeld's early support was instrumental in bridging the gap between Gigi's reality TV background (via her mother Yolanda Hadid on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills) and the exclusive world of luxury fashion.

This debut was the moment the industry took notice, leading to her being named a breakout star and quickly booking campaigns for major brands like Tom Ford and Versace, cementing her status alongside her sister, Bella Hadid, as a new generation of fashion royalty.

5. The Family Foundation: Sibling Bonds and Parental Influence

A constant element of Gigi's younger years was the influence of her family, which provided both a support system and a spotlight. Growing up with a former model mother, Yolanda Hadid, gave her a unique insight into the industry's demands.

The close bond with her younger siblings, Bella and Anwar, who also followed her into modeling, created a powerful, unified presence in the fashion world known as the "Hadid Sisters" and "Hadid Trio." Their shared experience, from growing up in Los Angeles to competing in the same industry, is a defining factor of her younger professional life. This familial connection, along with her Palestinian heritage from her father, Mohamed Hadid, has been a central theme in her public identity, grounding her global fame in a strong personal history.

By stepping back from the spotlight to pursue a "normal" high school life filled with sports and then strategically returning via a college move to New York, Gigi Hadid crafted a unique path. Her younger years were not just a prelude to fame, but a period of intentional development that built the discipline and perspective required to sustain a career as a global supermodel.

gigi hadid younger
gigi hadid younger

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