Watch out, Kendall Jenner–there's a new kid on the block. She's just as tall, just as beautiful, just as popular, and she might just knock Kendall off the top spot. Gigi Hadid is the bonafide "it" girl of 2018 that nobody can get enough of.
With her baby blue eyes, darling dimples, effortless street swag, and piercing gaze, the youngest Hadid sister has risen from model to supermodel in the blink of an eye.
Here's how it goes. Gigi goes for coffee? It's an event. Gigi wears leggings and crop tops? Brb, getting leggings and crop tops. Gigi isn't just a model squad member and billboard face, though. This 23-year-old is already designing her own collections–oh, and bringing brands like Tommy Hilfiger back from the grave. If that isn't a skill, we don't know what is.
In 2015, Gigi Hadid had just 1.6 million followers on IG. Her following now sits at over 43 million. Gigi was the 5th-highest paid model of 2017. While Kendall took the top spot with a Forbes reported $22 million paycheque, this isn't about 2017. It isn't even about 2018.
Given that Gigi will undoubtedly be the biggest face of 2019, it's probably time we learned about her. Here are 20 reasons why the rising Gigi Hadid will overtake Kendall Jenner as the highest-paid supermodel in the world.
20 She's Not Kardashian Blood
Believe it or not, being a Kardashian can be a curse; "People didn't take me seriously because of the TV show," Kendall told Glamour.
Kendall Jenner may be the modelling industry's queen bee, but the early days were spent having a lot of doors slammed in her face –precisely because she was a Kardashian.
Gigi has her connections, too–her mom is a Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills cast member. With her real estate developer of a dad, Gigi was moving in all the right circles from an early age. In a Kardashian-dominated age though, the modeling industry was interested in the fresh-faced beauty with zero "K" links.
19 She's In The Kardashian Squad, Though
Oh, have you got a long road to climb as a model without a squad. Taylor Swift may have her girl squad (which Gigi is a member of), but the modeling world also has its equivalent. This pic of Gigi with Kendall Jenner and Hailey Baldwin takes us back to 2016 when the three girls hit NYC for some squad bonding.
On the off-chance we're not making this clear, having an inner circle of BFFs in the modeling world is as important as the job itself. They tag you on Instagram. They tag along to Coachella. Gigi's squad foundations are rock solid. Now she's building on them.
18 Nicki Minaj Is Already Rapping About Her
"Yo, I got the money and the power now." Nicki Minaj doesn't mince her words when it comes to those lyrics. The most powerful woman in hip-hop is now the indisputable Queen, and what Nicki says packs a punch. "That's my word to Bella, Gigi, Dolce Gabbana, DG."–lyrics from Nicki Minaj's 2018 Queen album say it all.
Celeb shout-outs in hip-hop might be a dime a dozen, but it's about whose name that's being dropped that matters.
Kanye West name-drops Louis Vuitton. Cardi B name-drops Balenciaga. Nicki gets straight to it. Gigi and Hadid have her "word"–and Nicki's word counts. The most flattering? Gigi is named alongside Dolce & Gabbana.
17 Nailing The #LeatherGoals
Pulling off leather in your early 20s can go very right or very wrong. When Jennifer Aniston wore a short leather dress in her late 40s, people criticized her. When Lady Gaga wore an all-leather military trench, people called her "too intense." Rocking leather boots with a classic biker jacket here, Gigi 100% pulled it off.
"I feel more recently like I'm really dressing for myself and not for the world. I don't like trying clothes on because that's my job." In her 2017 interview with Vogue, Gigi made it clear that her style is spontaneous. It's Gigi and nobody else. If she "didn't try this look on" and still nailed it... goals.
16 Nailing The #CasualGoals
Casual is so "in" right now, we almost feel for "dressy" (and whichever corner it's sulking in). Whether she's hitting the gym, grabbing a coffee, or being papped at airports, Gigi's casual style knocks the competition out the water.
Which is probably why Gigi is both a Reebok ambassador and responsible for Tommy Hilfiger's sportswear comeback.
"Very athleisure" is how Gigi described her style to Vogue. "I'd always mix my workout clothes with a cool statement jacket and then I'd have my [sneakers] in my purse." Gigi added that "being comfortable" is a major priority. And did you know the athletic look isn't just for show? Gigi boxes like a pro, and she's got the abs to prove it.
15 "Burgers Keep Me Sane"
If we had a dollar for every time we heard models rant about "carrot sticks," we wouldn't need to hit the dollar menu at McDonald's. But Gigi's love of burgers is on a level of its own. She's known for her catchphrase "Eat clean to stay fit, have a burger to sane," and the girl lives it. Gigi posts burger selfies. A burger joint was her first stop after the 2016 Victoria's Secret Fashion Show.
Gigi has eaten burgers live on TV with Jimmy Fallon. Grazia called her "a true burger connoisseur." Gigi even has a list of her favorite burger joints, and after cooking one for Gordon Ramsay, she won her Masterchef crown.
14 "I Wash My Face With The Cheap Stuff From CVS"
In 2017, Kendall Jenner's makeup artist shared "must-have" beauty products that included the $245 La Mer face oil. We also found out that Kendall keeps $240 La Prairie eye cream in her refrigerator.
Gigi? You can pick up her skincare must-have for $10 at CVS.
"Since high school, I've always used CVS skincare," Gigi told Teen Vogue. "I feel if you start using 30 products on your face, the second you don't have those 30 products, your skin will need it."
Neutrogena scrubs and St. Ives products are Gigi's bathroom essentials. "The cheap stuff from CVS" is way more relatable than the designer stuff.
13 She's Got The One Direction Ex-Boyfriend
A high-profile boyfriend isn't a necessity in the modeling industry, but it doesn't hurt. Gigi Hadid and One Direction's former star Zayn Malik were everyone's favorite couple for two years. In 2018, the couple announced their split. While it didn't last, it was pretty perfect while it was going.
We've got KimYe. We had Brangelina. "ZiGi" were the 2018 answer to couples goals, and they were just the cutest. Gigi got herself a "Z" necklace, she starred in Zayn's "Pillowtalk" video, and their Italy pics were so #goals, it hurts. Kendall? She's way more cagey. In 2018, TMZ couldn't decide whether Kendall was dating Ben Simmons or Gigi's brother, Anwar Hadid.
12 She's Got The Supermodel Sister
If we've learned anything, it's that sister squads are everything. The Kardashians don't dare brunch without their sister back up. Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen did it way back in the day. Elle Fanning might not have a career without her sister, Dakota. And Bella Hadid is Gigi's younger sister (by one year).
"Apparently, a lot of magazines are writing about our sibling rivalry, which I don't know where they got that. My sister is my little star," Gigi explained.
Speaking to Vogue, Gigi described herself as "protective" over Bella, who frequently accompanies Gigi on the runway. The modeling industry is digging this duo like nobody's business, and so are we.
11 Slaying The Competition With Her Statement Tees
"A Stylish Way To Avoid Getting Hit On" is how Popsugar described this t-shirt. We'd come up with a description, but we're still laughing. In 2016, a loved-up Gigi used her creativity to advertise her relationship status. It was so good, it rocked the internet. "lol ur not zayn malik" was a look that Gigi's then-boyfriend, Zayn tweeted about with: "Thas ma girl."
When Gigi was dating Joe Jonas, she wore a "G.I." tee– get it...G.I. Joe? The most that we've seen from Kendall in terms of tees is an overpriced Dior one. Kendall's "Bore Me" Louis Vuitton Speedy costs an estimated $20,000.
10 Giving As Much As She Takes
Charity isn't a competition, that much is clear. Kendall Jenner doesn't brag about handing out food to the homeless on Thanksgiving, but we've seen her do it. In 2018, Gigi took time out of her high-paying photoshoots and launch parties to travel to a Bangladeshi refugee camp.
Working with UNICEF, Gigi did all that she could to raise awareness for the Rohingya refugee crisis.
"Check out my new Versace" was decidedly not the vibe from Gigi's Instagram posts. "This morning we visited the @UNICEF Child Friendly Space in Camp 9 of the Kutupalong Balukhali Refugee Camp, which sole purpose is to let kids be kids !!!" In fact, the pics are barely of Gigi herself.
9 "I'm So Goofy And Super Weird"
It's pretty brave to be an international supermodel and voluntarily pose looking goofy. Even more so when your Instagram update is your blurry face half-blocked by a burger from In-N-Out.
"In real life, I'm so goofy and super weird. Like, I'll be dancing around. I can do the best Kourtney Kardashian voice ever," Gigi told WWD. Gigi actually did an impression for them: "Literally, Scott, you're so disgusting..." She uses it to wind Kendall and Kylie Jenner up. "Weird faces or voices" are just more of Gigi's "goofy" traits. The model says that her friends wish the world saw more of it.
8 "Not Being Perfect" Gives Her Freedom
Fool around with a Kourtney Kardashian impression she might, but Gigi's inner thoughts are anything but goofy. "Because my job is based on the way I look, people assume that means that you don't have human qualities."
"Not being perfect has given me the freedom to keep getting better," Gigi notes.
"So many women around the world are expected to be perfect and I know it sounds cliché, but none of us are," Gigi told Elle. Gigi has been criticized for her runway walk. That was before she fronted Reebok's #PerfectNever campaign. "I'm still trying to get better today," she added. Note–better, not "perfect."
7 Fendi Snatched Her Up In A Second
You don't need to be following Gigi on Instagram to know that Fendi is the designer of the moment. Fun fact: Fendi's designer is Karl Lagerfeld – the same guy who designs Chanel. The Fendi monogram has appeared on Nicki Minaj's "Chun Li" cover. It's also in her lyrics: "Fendi prints on, Bentley tints on."
In 2018, Gigi became the face of the iconic Italian luxury brand. A job half done isn't Gigi's style, though. This is. Straight-up acing the Fendi monogram with her sleek jacket, logo prints, and bag, Gigi proved that you don't need to be a Kardashian to be a major brand face.
6 Reebok Wasn't Far Behind
Sports brands used to rely on sports personalities for their campaigns. Adidas now has Kendall Jenner. PUMA has Selena Gomez.
Joining Wonder Woman's Gal Gadot, Ariana Grande, and Hailey Baldwin, Gigi now fronts Reebok campaigns with her sporty vibes, killer abs, and down-to-Earth mentality.
"Lips or kicks?" Gigi was asked during her 37 Questions With Reebok. "Kicks, for sure." Gigi chose "laid-back" over "perfectly polished." She chose "nude" over "glossy." Giggling, she also chose a top-knot over flowing locks, because, as she admitted: "it's easier." Gigi even calls her fellow Reebok spokesperson Ariana Grande her "Reebok sister." Plus, Gigi boxes and runs, so she's perfect for Reebok.
5 Gigi X Tommy (And It Brought Hilfiger Back)
The 90s were full of brands that somehow took a giant back seat (and are now returning with full force). Calvin Klein is back, thanks to Justin Beiber and a Kardashian family campaign. Champion had basically disappeared (and is now an Ariana Grande favorite). But just like Juicy Couture and GUESS, Tommy Hilfiger is back.
Gigi doesn't just model for this sports-centric designer. The red, blue, and white panels have been all over the Gigi x Tommy collections. For a girl in her early 20s, collaborating with a major fashion designer isn't just an achievement. It's a major career path. Kendall? Well, there's the Kendall & Kylie line...
4 Gigi X Victoria's Secret (And Kendall Has Vanished)
Being a Victoria's Secret model is no ordinary status. Join this club, and you're a Victoria's Secret Angel: you get the pink satin robes, the private jet vacations, and all the guy worship in the world. Kendall Jenner's dreams came true when she joined the VS squad for their annual runway show. She has been noticeably absent in recent years, though.
But Gigi had to pull out of the 2017 Victoria's Secret show last-minute: this Hadid face was already booked.
"I'm so bummed I won't be able to make it to China this year," Gigi tweeted: "Love my VS Family!" Gigi still remains an official VS face, though.
3 Kendall Shops, Gigi Cooks
We wouldn't be girls if we didn't like to shop. While it's Forever 21 and Old Navy for most of us, these high earners can afford to go designer. Gigi definitely has her couture looks, but something about this girl is less "in your face" than Kendall's Louis Vuitton bags and Prada Instagram updates.
Cooking is Gigi's "happiness." Gigi also won Masterchef with the "Gigi Burger," but her favorite thing to cook is tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwich dippers. "My grandma loves that," Gigi told Refinery29. Kendall hasn't shown us much cooking, although we do know that her mom's pasta with peas is the first thing she eats coming home.
2 Kendall Relies On Social Media, Gigi Is "Whatever"
No-one is saying that Gigi hasn't used social media to her advantage–we would too. And while Kendall's social is definitely offbeat compared to her sisters, let's face it–it's pretty "me, me, me." Or rather, "not many clothes and me." Gigi's Instagram is way less intense.
"I post pictures that I want to post and say what I want to say. If that's 3 times a day or 3 times per month, then whatever," Gigi says of social media.
Speaking to Vogue, Gigi said that social media helps her "have a voice." The freedom it gives her is more flexible than Kendall's lingerie shots, sultry videos, and designer purchases.
1 She's Just Gigi, And That's More Than Enough
"How To Take A Good Selfie" and "Dancing With Taylor Swift." Those were just part of Vogue's headline when they profiled Gigi Hadid. For those of you who care (and because it totally matters), Gigi's selfie tips are good lighting, being near a window, and if you're outdoors, being in a sunny place but in the shade to avoid being overexposed.
Vogue didn't run a headline about Gigi's beauty, though. They ran an article about Gigi being relevant. She's got the squad goals. She's got a raw energy that makes us want to get up and try boxing. Kendall may still be ruling, but Gigi is catching up (and fast).
Unless you need to scroll back up to see the burger goals one more time, hit share on Facebook and get this legging-wearing, tomato soup-cooking girl out.
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