Gigi Hadid on How Co-Parenting Khai With Ex Zayn Malik Changed Her Career Approach

Gigi Hadid keeps the finer details of her relationship with ex-boyfriend Zayn Malik private, but she is happy to discuss how co-parenting with him has changed her life.

Malik and Hadid are raising their daughter, Khai, together and split custody 50-50. Recently, Hadid spoke about their co-parenting arrangement in a Porter magazine interview, saying, “I think when you are a parent, you have to be intentional, because now, I literally have half the time.” She continued, “I work when my daughter is with her dad [Zayn Malik], and that’s the time I have. And the jobs I choose to fill that time with have to be ones that are fulfilling to me. I will literally fit in as many jobs as I can on those days. I’m sometimes a crazy person, but if it means a lot to me, then I do it.”

“I’ve seen so many photos of myself. There’s no need to go do an editorial if I feel like it’s a waste of everyone’s time,” she added. “I want to do things that are new and feel exciting; where everyone is going to leave feeling fulfilled and that they did something fun that day.”

She also revealed that Khai, who turns three this month, is already contributing to the fashion world by being a fit model for her cashmere line, Guest in Residence. “Oh, also we have a kids’ collection coming soon!” she said. “Khai and her best friend are our fit models. They come into the office, Khai tries on one dress, and then she’s like, ‘Do you want to go to the donut store?’”

Malik also spoke earlier this summer on the podcast Call Her Daddy about co-parenting with Hadid. “Co-parenting is good,” he began. “Yeah. We have a really good relationship for Khai. She’s the, you know, the main importance. Yeah. So yeah it’s going well. I think, from me [and my perspective], yeah.” He said later in his interview that he is “hands on with my child every chance I can be. If I could get 60 percent [of time with her], I would have it, yeah.”

Senior News and Strategy Editor

Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she’s not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.