Gigi Hadid is taking steps to protect her baby girl, Khai, from being in the public eye.
Hadid and Zayn Malik welcomed their first child last September. After the birth, Malik shared a snap of the newborn's hand on Twitter and wrote, "Our baby girl is here, healthy & beautiful.” And now, as her baby gets older, Hadid is pleading with the paparazzi to continue to shield her daughter's face from the world, until she’s old enough to make decisions for herself.
“As our baby grows up we have to realize that we can’t protect her from everything the way we wanted to and could when she was smaller. She loves seeing the world! and although she gets a lot of that out near the farm, she also gets to experience other places—a true blessing,” Hadid wrote in an IG Story.
“On our most recent visits to New York, she has started to want her sun shade lifted up (something she is used to at home) and helps herself to it! She doesn’t understand why she’s covered in the city, or what I’ve wanted to protect her from. I also want her to see the most amazing city in the world + the beautiful and diverse people that walk down the streets of NYC…that is, without the stress of the media circus that comes with parents who are public figures.”
She continued, “I know the laws change State to State, and I’ve seen some paparazzi photos of kids in NYC with their faces blurred—but, from asking around, I believe that that comes down to the integrity of the photographer, publication, or fans sharing the images.”
“I write this all to say: to the Paparazzi, press, and beloved fan accounts, you know we have never intentionally shared our daughters face on social media," she continued in her message. "Our wish is that she can choose how to share herself with the world when she comes of age, and that she can live as normal of a childhood as possible, without worrying about a public image that she has not chosen. It would mean the world to us, as we take our daughter to see and explore NYC and the world, if you would PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE blur her face out of the images, if and when she is caught on camera.”
“I know it’s an extra effort—but as a new mom, I just want the best for my baby, as all parents do… and I hope this can continue the conversation to protect minors in the media, even if they come from a public family. For a child, I can imagine that close or dramatic paparazzi frenzies must be overwhelming and disorienting… it still is as an adult that understands and deals with it often. I appreciate you taking the time to read this and hope you can understand where I’m coming from.”
She simply signed the post, “With love, G.”
We know the 25-year-old supermodel isn’t the only one dealing with this issue. Famous parents across the country have gone to lengths to protect their children from being photographed by the paps, including Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, Kristen Bell and Jennifer Garner.
Way to go, Gigi. We support you.
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