Gigi Hadid Explains in Open Letter Why She Doesn’t Want Khai’s Face Shown in Photos

Gigi Hadid has been open about her decision to protect her and Zayn Malik’s 10-month-old daughter Khai’s privacy, explaining shortly after welcoming her that she and Malik would not be sharing photos of Khai’s face on their social media.

“I have friends who are public figures and that’s how they’ve gone about it, and I see their kids really blossom in a different way,” Hadid said in February, referring to friends Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds, who have kept their three daughters off their social media and out of paparazzi photos.

Last night, Hadid shared an open letter explicitly asking paparazzi, press, and fan accounts to please continue to keep Khai’s face out of photos. Hadid explained that while she could previously hide Khai with her stroller’s sun roof while out in New York City in front of photographers, Khai is getting older (she’ll be one in September) and wants to see more of the city. Hadid asked for paps to blur her face in pictures and for press and fan accounts not to run photos where her face is exposed.

“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,” Hadid wrote. “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…”

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You can read her full letter 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

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