In a candid interview published on February 23 in Vogue Italy, supermodel Bella Hadid opened up about the profound emotional challenges she faced during her treatment for Lyme disease last year, describing a sense of being "disposable" in the high-stakes world of Hollywood and fashion. The 29-year-old model, who was diagnosed with the tick-borne illness in 2013 at the age of 16, revealed how the need to prioritize her health forced her to turn down work opportunities for nearly a year, reshaping her perspective on her career and self-worth.
Speaking with her sister, fellow model Gigi Hadid, Bella shared the vulnerability she felt amid the industry's relentless pace. "I was emotional because you feel disposable," she said, explaining that the pressure to accept every job had long defined her identity. "How good I am doesn't have to do with the jobs that I say yes to. For so long, saying no to a job was, like, who was I to say no to anything?" This period of enforced rest, according to Bella, ultimately taught her to embrace boundaries and focus on opportunities that align with her values.
The interview highlights a turning point for Bella, who has been a fixture on runways and red carpets since rising to prominence in the mid-2010s. Her battle with Lyme disease, which she has publicly discussed in the past, intensified last year when treatment required her to step back from modeling gigs. According to the Vogue Italy piece, this hiatus allowed her to "release" insecurities tied to her professional output, fostering a newfound contentment with putting health first.
I had to kind of release it and be like, ‘I think people know my heart and my personality and who I am enough now that I can release that and really do the jobs that are with and for the people that I love and trust and support and respect.'
Bella credited her sister Gigi for exemplifying the importance of setting boundaries, both personally and professionally. "It's so important, not only advocating for yourself, but for your friends and people around you," she noted. "Because that, for me, is such a huge part of the excitement and the energy that a work day brings to me, is being able to watch my friends be inspired." This sibling dynamic underscores a broader theme in the interview: the role of supportive relationships in navigating the demands of fame.
With her health more stable, Bella is re-entering the spotlight on her own terms, including venturing into acting. She recently joined the cast of Ryan Murphy's upcoming series The Beauty, a project that pushed her beyond her modeling comfort zone. "He made me go really outside of my comfort zone which made me have to release that control again," Bella explained, referring to the perfectionism often required in her visual work. "The control to look good or to do things perfectly."
In The Beauty, Bella channeled the physical and mental strains of her Lyme disease experience into her performance, finding catharsis in the process. "I was able to really manifest that in my body and put it into the art and to the work," she shared. "That, for me, was really fulfilling to be able to express myself in that way." The series, produced by Murphy known for shows like American Horror Story and Glee, marks a significant expansion for Bella, who has occasionally dabbled in acting but is primarily recognized for her fashion pedigree.
Bella's career trajectory provides essential context for her recent reflections. Born in 1996 to a Palestinian-Dutch family, she debuted in modeling around 2012 and quickly ascended alongside Gigi, walking for major houses like Dior, Versace, and Chanel. Her style—often bold and boundary-pushing—has made her a red-carpet staple. For instance, at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, she turned heads in a red Alexandre Gauthier gown featuring a daring slit that extended to her hip, embodying the glamour she now approaches with greater selectivity.
Throughout the years, Bella's fashion moments have been as memorable as they are revealing of her evolving persona. In 2017, she attended the Met Gala in a backless Alexander Wang mesh catsuit that left little to the imagination, while later that year at Rihanna's after-party, she opted for pasties and underwear beneath a sheer overlay. These choices, according to observers in the industry, highlighted her willingness to embrace provocative aesthetics, a trait that contrasted with the vulnerability she describes in her health struggles.
Her runway appearances have similarly showcased innovation and edge. During Paris Fashion Week in 2022, Bella walked for Stella McCartney in a sheer catsuit that blurred lines between clothing and artistry. That same year at Coperni's show, technicians spray-painted a latex dress directly onto her body in a live demonstration, creating a white slip from bare skin—a moment that captured global attention and underscored her role as a muse for experimental designers.
Bella's personal life has intertwined with her professional one, including her heritage as a proud Palestinian-Dutch woman. In a February 2021 Instagram post, she captioned a bikini photo simply as "Palestinian and Dutch," affirming her roots amid a career often centered in Western fashion capitals like New York, Paris, and Milan. This identity has gained renewed focus in recent years, particularly as she advocates for causes close to her heart.
The Lyme disease diagnosis at 16 came during her formative years, predating her supermodel status but influencing it profoundly. Medical experts, as reported in various outlets, note that Lyme can cause chronic symptoms like fatigue and joint pain, which Bella has said mirrored her experiences. While she hasn't detailed specific treatments in this interview, her year-long break last year aligns with periods of intensive therapy common for long-term sufferers.
Industry insiders, speaking anonymously to entertainment publications, have echoed Bella's sentiments about the disposability felt by models. One source told E! News that the fashion world moves quickly, often sidelining those who pause for health reasons, though Bella's star power has allowed her a smoother return than most. No conflicting accounts emerged from cross-verification, with reports consistently portraying her recovery as a positive pivot.
Looking ahead, Bella's involvement in The Beauty signals potential diversification beyond modeling. Ryan Murphy, in past interviews, has praised casting non-actors for authenticity, and Bella's participation fits this mold. Filming details remain under wraps, but the project is slated for release on a major streaming platform, potentially broadening her audience.
Bella's story resonates beyond celebrity circles, highlighting the intersection of chronic illness and high-pressure careers. As she returns to work—seen recently at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in a plunging naked dress by an undisclosed designer—her emphasis on mental health and selective opportunities may inspire others in entertainment. For now, she appears poised for a chapter defined not just by glamour, but by genuine fulfillment.
Throughout her two-decade flirtation with fame, from neon thong bikinis during her 2020 birthday yacht celebration to preppy-punk ensembles at Thom Browne's 2023 show, Bella Hadid has continually reinvented herself. Her latest evolution, born from adversity, suggests a model not just walking runways, but charting her own path in an unforgiving industry.