At a Glance
- Aydan Nix discovers she is the half-sister of Gigi and Bella Hadid after a genetic test.
- She writes about the warm welcome from her new family in an essay published by The Cut on Dec. 30.
- Nix now works as a freelance wardrobe stylist, including a role at Desigual‘s Barcelona show.
Why it matters: The story shows how a genetic revelation can reshape family ties and open new career paths in the fashion world.
After Mohamed Hadid‘s 2000 divorce, the fact that he fathered a daughter with another woman revealed that Gigi and Bella Hadid had a half-sister, Aydan Nix. In December, Nix shared her experience in an essay and discussed how the discovery has influenced her personal life and budding career.
Discovering Her Family
**Aydan Nix was raised in Florida with a different family and lost her father when she was a teenager. She learned her true paternity after a genetic test in 2023 and connected with the Hadids, who welcomed her warmly.
Aydan Nix stated:
> “My sisters (along with the rest of the family) have been nothing but warm and generous,”
> “They have made space for me in ways they didn’t have to. They’ve been kind.”
- Alana sent her resources and inspired her to become active in the fight for Palestine’s freedom
- She watched Anwar‘s film Walled Off
- Gigi took her for her first Palestinian meal and taught her the names of different dishes
Nix wrote that she was trying to find her place in a family she never knew she had, feeling pressure to make up for lost time.
Building a New Life and Career
After discovering her family ties, Nix began working as a freelance wardrobe stylist. She closed the Desigual fashion show in Barcelona and assisted Gabriella Karefa Johnson, a friend of Gigi, during busy periods.
Aydan Nix said:
> “I live in a tiny one-bedroom apartment in the East Village and mooch off of my mom,”
> “Today, I am doing my best to live my life for me and to remember that, despite a couple of extra eyes on me, my life is still my own.”
She also mentioned that during the Met Gala she will be carrying 70-pound trunks up and down stairs or through the freight entrance at the Carlyle.
Key Takeaways
- Aydan Nix is the newly discovered half-sister of the Hadid sisters.
- She has embraced a new family and a wardrobe styling career.
- Her life in New York’s East Village remains largely unchanged since the paternity reveal.
Aydan’s story illustrates how a sudden family revelation can lead to unexpected personal and professional growth.
