4 days ago
Bella Hadid Shares Her Dream To Open A Palestinian Restaurant With Her Dad
Photo: Getty
Bella Hadid is never one to shy away from talking about her heritage – and it was no different for her recent appearance on Chicken Shop Date.
Sitting down with journalist and host Amelia Dimoldenberg, between the awkward flirting and spicy dips the satirical show is known for, Bella gave a sweet and heartfelt nod to her Palestinian roots — through food, of course.
The supermodel opened up about growing up in a half-Dutch, half-Palestinian household – her mother Yolanda Hadid is from the Netherlands and her father, Mohamed Hadid is from Palestine, where he had to flee during the Nakba in 1948.
When Amelia asked which parent was the better cook, Bella didn't hesitate in her reply: 'My dad.'
'Growing up, it would be like spreads of just like most… he doesn't cook for four people. If anybody that's Arab knows, Arab parents cook for 50 people,' she explained.
She went on to reflect on how much her father's cooking means to her.
'That's the most beautiful part about my dad,' she said. 'My dream for him, always, would be to open a restaurant… take care of his heritage and, like, you know, the legacy of who we are as people and what our food is to the world.'
Throughout the years, Bella has continuously embraced her Palestinian heritage and also been one of the most high profile celebrities speaking up for the ongoing Israeli bombardment of Gaza. Photo: Getty
Just recently, the 28-year-old stepped out in Paris, where she was greeted by fans and fellow Palestinians who were chanting 'Free Palestine'.
The moment was caught on camera and posted on TikTok, where the Orebella founder was given a Palestinian flag, and with much passion, she waved it proudly.
'It's part of culture; thank you for giving the flag–I would give my shirt!' she humorously said in TikTok while sharing examples of how her father, Mohamed Hadid, raised her to give gifts.
But let's pause for a moment and reflect back on a joint restaurant run by Bella and her dad? Yes, please.
Bella, if you're reading this – we'd like a reservation for two.
