Gigi Hadid emotional about challenges starting her modeling career.
Gigi Hadid became emotional recalling the intense criticism she endured after her 2015 Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show debut, revealing how challenging and overwhelming the early spotlight on her career was.
Gigi Hadid Tears Up Reflecting on Early Modeling CriticismNew York:
Supermodel Gigi Hadid, one of the most recognized faces in fashion today, recently opened up about the emotional challenges she faced at the start of her career. During a candid conversation in an interview, Gigi became emotional while recalling the intense scrutiny and criticism she endured after her debut on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway in 2015.
For someone who has walked countless runways, graced the covers of international fashion magazines, and collaborated with top designers, it may be hard to imagine that Gigi once felt deeply uncertain about her place in the industry. But her vulnerability during the interview revealed a very human side to a figure often seen as untouchable glamour.
“It was really hard,” Gigi said, fighting back tears. “When I first started modeling, I felt like every move I made, every outfit I wore, every picture of me was being dissected. People were so quick to judge.”
Her words underscore a truth that many young models face in the hyper-visible world of fashion: the journey to success often comes with relentless public scrutiny. The pressure can be especially magnified for models in high-profile shows like Victoria’s Secret, where millions of fans, photographers, and critics are watching every step.
In 2015, when Gigi made her Victoria’s Secret debut, she was just 19 years old. Though her career had already begun to gain momentum with campaigns and magazine shoots, walking for the iconic lingerie brand put her on a global stage in a way she had never experienced before. With millions following the show online and through traditional media, every detail of her performance became fodder for social media commentary.
“I remember just feeling very exposed,” she admitted. “You think you’re prepared for it, but until you actually experience that level of scrutiny, you don’t realize how intense it is. Some days, it felt almost impossible to believe in myself.”
Despite the challenges, Gigi also emphasized that the criticism, while painful, was a catalyst for growth.
“Looking back, I know that those experiences made me stronger. I learned to develop a thick skin, but also to stay true to myself,” she said. “It taught me that I can’t let other people’s opinions define who I am or how I feel about my work.”
The Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show has long been a rite of passage for models, a platform that can catapult careers but also subject participants to intense public evaluation. For Gigi, the experience was transformative not just professionally but personally. She learned resilience, self-confidence, and the importance of surrounding herself with supportive people who believed in her, even when others doubted.
Her reflection comes at a time when the fashion industry is increasingly acknowledging the mental health challenges models face. Issues like body image pressures, social media scrutiny, and the constant judgment of public appearances have been highlighted more openly in recent years. Gigi’s honesty about her early struggles contributes to this broader conversation, reminding fans and aspiring models that behind the glamour, there are real people navigating uncertainty, fear, and self-doubt.
Even now, years into her career, Gigi remains grounded and empathetic toward newcomers to the industry. She often shares advice about self-care, self-belief, and finding one’s voice amidst noise.
“I want young models to know that it’s okay to feel nervous, it’s okay to feel judged, but don’t let it consume you,” she said. “Use it as motivation, not as a reason to shrink away from your dreams.”
As she continues to dominate runways, campaigns, and magazine covers, Gigi Hadid’s journey from a nervous teenager on a high-profile stage to a confident, accomplished model serves as both inspiration and a reminder of the emotional cost behind the spotlight. Her tears in the interview were not a sign of weakness, but a testament to her growth, resilience, and the humanity behind the glamour.
In a world where models are often seen as untouchable figures of perfection, Gigi’s candidness about her early struggles with criticism and public scrutiny brings a refreshing authenticity, showing fans that even the most successful stars face moments of doubt and vulnerability — and can emerge stronger for it.