Bella Hadid turned 22 last week (October 9) and she certainly had a lot to celebrate. Indeed, it’s crazy to think that it was only three years ago that the Palestinian-American beauty was simply known as “Gigi Hadid‘s little sister”. Fast forward to now, and Hadid has quickly broken free from her big sister’s shadow, and cemented herself as one of the most in-demand supermodels of our time. In addition to fronting countless Vogue covers, the runway fixture is also the current face of Dior Beauty, Calvin Klein, Max Mara, Bulgari, and Nike. In addition to all of this, somehow, the Victoria’s Secret Angel also manages to have time to design her own collection for Chrome Hearts. No wonder, then, that the supermodel was christened 2016’s Model of the Year. The accomplished equestrian (she had plans to compete in the Olympics before her dreams were sidelined by Lyme Disease, which her mother Yolanda Foster and brother Anwar both struggle with), who signed to IMG in 2014, has accomplished more in the last four years than many models in their entire career.
So to mark the occasion of her 22nd birthday, the supermodel was celebrated by way of a surprise party in New York City thrown by her partner, closest friends, and family, including her sister Gigi, her mother, and her father Mohammed Hadid. Also in attendance were Kendall Jenner, Jaden Smith, and her on-again flame The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye), whom she thanked for making her day extra special. “I know I’m a lil late but I’m still in shock thinking about my birthday this year,” she wrote on Instagram this week alongside a series of candid snapshots from the party. “I’ve never felt so much love & happiness. Thank u to my baby, my beautiful family and friends for making this surprise so special. This was the best day ever( EVER) .. thank you to everyone for the birthday wishes. I feel so lucky, I can’t believe it.”
Planning her surprise party wasn’t the only sweet gesture the Canadian singer did in honor of Bella’s birthday. The RnB crooner also took to his social media accounts to share several Instagram Stories from the evening, as well as a touching post featuring shots with his other half. “Happy birthday angel,” wrote the Call Out My Name singer, alongside a series of selfies showing the pair cozied up at restaurants, karaoke, and on a recent trip to Tokyo.
Between Jada Pinkett Smith jumping out of an airplane for her husband Will Smith’s 50th birthday and The Weeknd’s surprise party for Bella, we might need to step our game up for our loved one’s next birthday.
