“Our wish is that she can choose how to share herself with the world when she comes of age.”
Gigi Hadid Asks Paparazzi and Press to Not Show Daughter Khai's Face in Photos
If you take one look at Gigi Hadid's Instagram account, you'll notice few photos of her 10-month-old daughter, Khai. You might stumble upon a shot of the back of her head or a cute little foot, but there aren't any photos of her face. The supermodel and her boyfriend, Zayn Malik, are intent on keeping their baby girl out of the spotlight.
Hadid posted a message on her Instagram Stories directed at paparazzi, press, and fan accounts thoughtfully asking for her daughter's face to be kept out of coverage. “We have never intentionally shared our daughters face on social media,” she wrote. “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.”
Instagram content
View on Instagram
She continued, “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, and 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.”
Hadid and Malik welcomed their little girl in September.
You can read Gigi Hadid's full message below:
"To the paparazzi, press, and fan accounts:
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. 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.
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. 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, and 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.
I would like to send a huge 'Thank You' to those paparazzi who have been so respectful, since I asked theme to keep a distance while I walked with the stroller, since my first trip to NYC with Khai. I see you, and I appreciate it.
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.
With love, G."
This story originally appeared on: Glamour - Author:Condé Nast
