Bella Hadid is stepping far from her supermodel image for her acting debut in Ryan Murphy’s upcoming FX series The Beauty. Speaking at the show’s New York City premiere on January 14, the 29-year-old revealed she specifically asked the creator to make her appear worn-down and unrecognizable.
At a Glance
- Hadid told Ryan Murphy, “I want you to make me look haggard” before filming began
- The model says she “went out of my comfort zone in many different ways” for the role
- The Beauty follows a miracle drug that causes violent side effects when it fails
- Why it matters: Hadid’s deliberate anti-glamour turn signals a serious pivot from fashion to dramatic acting
Hadid, who founded the wellness brand Orabella, walked the Museum of Modern Art red carpet in a crimson Schiaparelli haute-couture gown, but her on-screen appearance is anything but glamorous. “When I spoke to Ryan in the beginning, it was very much about being able to go out of my comfort zone,” she told Entertainment Tonight. “I said, ‘Ryan, I want you to make me look haggard. I never want to be the girl next door.'”
The eight-episode thriller, co-created by Murphy, centers on a shadowy tech mogul (Ashton Kutcher) who profits from a trillion-dollar “beauty shot” that promises effortless perfection. Hadid plays one of the unlucky recipients whose injection goes horribly wrong, triggering a violent rampage when she sees her reflection.
From Catwalk to Combat
Hadid embraced physical challenges during filming, crediting the stunt team for keeping her safe despite her gentle nature. “I love adrenaline. I love the rush of being able to do stunts. I wouldn’t hurt a fly, which is the funniest part,” she said. “But the stunt team was so amazing.”
The cast also includes Isabella Rossellini, Anthony Ramos, Evan Peters, Rebecca Hall, plus cameos from Ben Platt and Meghan Trainor. The trailer, released January 5, shows Hadid’s character smashing mirrors and attacking bystanders after the beauty shot backfires.
Health Struggles Off-Screen
While preparing for the role, Hadid continued battling chronic neurological Lyme disease, diagnosed when she was 16. In September 2025, she was hospitalized for complications from the illness. Her mother, Yolanda Hadid, shared on Instagram: “The invisible disability of chronic neurological Lyme disease is hard to explain or understand for anyone. I try to lead by example on our Lyme journey but my own pain cannot compare to watching my baby suffer.”
Despite health setbacks, Hadid pushed herself creatively. “I think I definitely went out of my comfort zone in many different ways. But he pushed me to be a different version of myself, which I’ve always wanted to do,” she said of Murphy’s direction. Admitting pre-premiere jitters, she added, “I was nervous, but I hope I did a decent job.”
Release Details
The Beauty premieres simultaneously on FX and Hulu on Disney+ on January 21. The series marks Hadid’s first major scripted television role and signals a deliberate shift away from her fashion-centric public persona toward character-driven storytelling.
Key Takeaways
- Hadid actively sought an unglamorous transformation for credibility in her first major acting role
- The show critiques beauty standards through a sci-fi lens, mirroring Hadid’s own discomfort with being typecast as “the girl next door”
- Her willingness to perform stunts while managing chronic illness underscores a commitment to the craft beyond surface-level celebrity cameos
