Gigi Hadid opens up about co-parenting baby Khai with Zayn Malik

Model Gigi Hadid typically keeps her relationship with ex-boyfriend Zayn Malik to herself, especially following the couple’s breakup in October 2021. Recently, Hadid has opened up to The Times about her co-parenting life.

In the interview with The Times, Hadid refers to her ex as “Khai’s father” and speaks about him in a “loving tone” suggesting they are in a peaceful co-parenting relationship. The couple shares a daughter named Khai whom they welcomed in September 2020.

When asked for advice on co-parenting arrangements, Hadid said, “Just keeping the importance of the child’s happiness at the forefront. You have a long life alongside this person.”

She also explained that she schedules her work commitments when “Khai is with her dad. That she can be with both parents makes me very happy.”

British influences

The model spoke about Khai’s British influences from her dad and how she sees “little bits” of Britishness in her daughter. The former One Direction Band member, Malik was raised in Bradford, England.

“She’s clearly a child who was grown in my stomach eating a lot of British food—breakfast, beans, curries,” Hadid said. “And she still eats like that. She even says some words with a little [English] accent, which I love.”

Overall, Hadid gushed over her daughter, who will be turning three this year. “She has already given me so much,” she said.

She continued, “I always wanted to be a mum, but I was never obsessive about it or [thought that] I was put on this Earth to be a mum. I’ve always been quite organized, so having Khai at the time that I did was a blessing. I’m so glad to be a young mom.”

On becoming a mom

Hadid also recently spoke to Elle about the changes in her life since becoming a mom.

“Having a daughter, although it shifted my life to make me really want to feel more settled, has also really made me appreciate the chaos as well,” she said.

She continued, “Being at shows and shoots and just being in the city again; being around friends [after] becoming a mom, with everyone also coming out of COVID—I have an appreciation for both sides of it.”