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Gigi Hadid Talked About Her And Zayn Malik's "Custody Schedules" For Coparenting Their Daughter, And The Insight Is Fascinating

Ziya Jaffrey
·3-min read

Gigi Hadid opened up about how she and ex Zayn Malik coparent their daughter Khai, and it’s genuinely healing my little heart.

Gigi Hadid in glamorous, sequined strapless gown with sleek hairstyle and layered gold necklaces, posing on a red carpet
Gigi Hadid in glamorous, sequined strapless gown with sleek hairstyle and layered gold necklaces, posing on a red carpet

For context, the former One Direction star and supermodel dated on and off for six years, and share 4-year-old daughter Khai, who was born in September 2020. The couple broke up in 2021, after reports of an altercation between Zayn and Gigi’s mother, Yolanda Hadid.

Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik holding hands, wearing sporty casual outfits. One has a red pullover; the other wears an oversized blue hoodie with graphic text
Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik holding hands, wearing sporty casual outfits. One has a red pullover; the other wears an oversized blue hoodie with graphic text

Zayn filed a no-contest plea to four charges of harassment in 2021 after he “adamantly denied” striking Yolanda in a public statement.

During Gigi and Zayn’s relationship, they were everyone’s fave couple — or maybe it was just me. But since their split, they’ve both been pretty private about where they stand with one another, and how they coparent their daughter.

Gigi Hadid in a red gown with a deep neckline and large hoop earrings, walking on the runway at a fashion show
Gigi Hadid in a red gown with a deep neckline and large hoop earrings, walking on the runway at a fashion show

Now, in a new interview with Vogue, Gigi got candid about being a mom and the importance of community when it comes to Khai. Speaking about her split time with her daughter, she shared, “Zayn and I do our custody schedules months in advance.”

Gigi Hadid posing with a playful hand gesture, wearing a textured sweater at a public event
Gigi Hadid posing with a playful hand gesture, wearing a textured sweater at a public event

“I have no regrets, ever, being like, ‘I can’t make that job. I have Khai that week.’ That’s just the boundary I’ve set,” she continued. “That doesn’t mean that it doesn’t change here and there, but we help each other out and have each other’s backs.”

Gigi Hadid wearing a black leather jacket, white shirt, and white knit hat waves while walking outdoors, accompanied by a man in casual attire
Gigi Hadid wearing a black leather jacket, white shirt, and white knit hat waves while walking outdoors, accompanied by a man in casual attire

Gigi explained that she and Zayn operate with “love and a feeling of camaraderie” in coparenting. She then spoke about accepting that their relationship will always be subject to public scrutiny, saying, “There is the hard part of the world knowing this much, and thinking they know everything. And at the end of the day, we’re not interested in giving everyone our whole story.”

Gigi Hadid walking hand-in-hand with Zayn Malik. The woman wears a chic army-style outfit, while the man sports a casual leather jacket and jeans look
Gigi Hadid walking hand-in-hand with Zayn Malik. The woman wears a chic army-style outfit, while the man sports a casual leather jacket and jeans look

“What we are interested in is raising our daughter together,” she shared, “with so much respect for each other. And not just as co-parents, but what we’ve been through together.

Gigi Hadid walking indoors; the person on the left wears a striped jacket, and the person on the right wears a flowing long dress
Gigi Hadid walking indoors; the person on the left wears a striped jacket, and the person on the right wears a flowing long dress

Alongside meticulously planning her and Zayn’s schedules around Khai, Gigi also revealed the importance of her village to raising her daughter. Gigi, who splits her time between New York and Pennsylvania, spoke about the community she has away from the city, saying, “Khai is protected by our friendships here. And that means a lot to me.”

Gigi Hadid in elegant strapless gown with intricate pattern and layered necklaces, looking to the side at a formal event
Gigi Hadid in elegant strapless gown with intricate pattern and layered necklaces, looking to the side at a formal event

Last year, Zayn spoke about his and Gigi’s decision to raise Khai in Pennsylvania and the reasons why they prioritize their daughter’s privacy. “I’m just trying to keep her grounded and enjoying the Earth rather than all the noise that comes with it,” he said in an interview with L’Officiel in 2024.

Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik walking outdoors with masks, one with a stroller. The person on the right wears a coat and scarf; the other, a jacket and jeans
Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik walking outdoors with masks, one with a stroller. The person on the right wears a coat and scarf; the other, a jacket and jeans

Zayn shared that he fell in love with Pennsylvania’s “landscapes and serenity” and revealed that he and Khai “spend a lot of time outside” together. “Hopefully we can create some amazing memories here,” he said.

Zayn Malik with tattoos in a casual t-shirt sits on a couch, speaking into a microphone during an interview
Zayn Malik with tattoos in a casual t-shirt sits on a couch, speaking into a microphone during an interview

Oh, to be Khai Malik, enjoying the Pennsylvanian wilderness with the combined Hadid and Malik blood running through my veins. Talk about winning the genetic lottery. You can read Gigi’s full interview here, and I’d also love to hear your thoughts in the comments.

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