Bella Hadid says she wasn't allowed to grow up in 'Muslim culture' after her parents divorced

Bella Hadid says she wasn't allowed to grow up in 'Muslim culture' after her parents divorced
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Jamie  Micklethwaite

By Jamie Micklethwaite


Published: 18/08/2022

- 18:17

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 10:44

The model has revealed how she wanted to practice the religion when she was a child

Model and actor Bella Hadid has revealed how she wasn't allowed to grow up in a Muslim culture after being "extracted" from her Palestinian family.

Ms Hadid spent the first four years of her life living in Washington with the Palestinian side of her family.


But when her parents separated she moved with her family to Santa Barbara, California.

She has since revealed this stopped her from being able to explore her Muslim culture and to practice the religion as a child.

She said: "'I was with my Palestinian side and I got extracted when we moved to California.

"'I would have loved to grow up and be with my dad every day and studying and really being able to practice, just in general being able to live in a Muslim culture, but I wasn't given that."

After moving to the West coast, Ms Hadid said she was often bullied in school for being the only Arab girl in class.

Ms Hadid also told GQ magazine how she burst into tears after being gifted a Free Palestine T-Shirt

She also said: "'I couldn't handle my emotions.

"Growing up and being Arab, it was the first time that I'd ever been with like-minded people. I was able to see myself."

Bella has attended pro-Palestinian rallies in the US and has been vocal in her support for the country

Stock photo of Bella Hadid. See PA Feature HEALTH Alcohol. Picture credit should read: Alamy/PA. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA Feature HEALTH Alcohol.
Bella Hadid
PA Features Archive/Press Association Images

Bella Hadid attends the 75th Anniversary celebration screening of %22The Innocent (L'Innocent)%22
Bella Hadid attends the 75th Anniversary celebration screening of "The Innocent (L'Innocent)"
Doug Peters

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