The Zayn Malik, Gigi Hadid love story through the years

Fans of Zayn Malik and Gigi Hadid had more to celebrate than just the latter’s birthdaylast week. The couple are now expecting their first child together and fans couldn’t be more thrilled. The rumour mill was abuzz from January of this year that the former One Direction band member has rekindled his romance with fashion model Hadid after the duo were spotted holding hands in New York City on January 12 while celebrating Malik’s birthday. Their much-publicised relationship has been through many highs and lows, with many fans ‘devastated’ after the couple confirmed they had parted ways in 2018. With the spark renewed between the two once, Gulf News tabloid looks back on their journey from being friends to lovers.

November 2015: The first time fans heard of a romance brewing between the two was when US Weekly reported Malik and Hadid were spotted leaving singer Justin Bieber’s American Music Awards party together. They were again photographed by the paparazzi holding hands, leaving a restaurant, a few days later.

January 2016: Malik went on record the couple were just good friends, but set rumour mills buzzing again when he roped in Hadid for his music video ‘Pillow Talk’ that came out the same month. The couple also exchanged flirty banter on Twitter. “You seen the video babe? Someone’s Looking (refering to himself),” tweeted Malik. Hadid soom replied: “Nah musta missed it, Jokes.. I wasn’t looking at myself, trust me [sic].”

April 2016: The couple did their first photoshoot together in Naples for Vogue magazine where he was referred to as her real-life boyfriend. The couple also took things public the following month when the attended the prestigious MET Gala together and sent Twitter into frenzy.

June 2016: In June, break up rumours surrounding the couple started to surface but Hadid denied them during her interview with Elle magazine when she answered a rapid round of questions and tried to include him in the answer. When she was asked “night in or out.” She answered “Night in. Cook. Paint. Play with my dog. Hang out with my boyfriend. Watch movies. Just chill.” She later posted a picture on Instagram with named Nutella jars.

December 2016: In a radio interview with SiriusXM Hits 1, Malik revealed how he and Hadid starting dating, saying he just straight up asked her out.

September 2017: It was time to meet the parents and the couple went on a vacation to meet Hadid’s mother Yolanda Hadid. Yolanda even posted a picture on Instagram with the couple cuddling.

October 2017: Malik and Hadid took things to the next level as they dressed up in superhero outfits for Halloween - Malik went as Spider-Man, while Hadid was the Cat Woman.

March 2018: Shortly after his birthday in January, stories started to filter out that all wasn’t well between them. By March, Malik revealed the couple had indeed parted ways. “Gigi and I had an incredibly meaningful, loving and fun relationship and I have a huge amount of respect and adoration for Gigi as a woman and a friend. She has such an incredible soul. I’m grateful to all of our fans for respecting this difficult decision and our privacy at this time, we wish this news could have come from us first. We love you all,” Malik tweeted. Hadid also confirmed the same on Twitter, posting: “Breakup statements often seem impersonal because there is really no way to put into words what two people experience together over a few years ... not only in the relationship, but in life in general, I’m forever grateful for the love, time, and life lessons that Z and I shared. I want nothing but the best for him and will continue to support him as a friend that I have immense respect and love for. As for the future, whatever’s meant to be will always be. xG.”

April 2018: But the parting appeared short-lived as they were spotted together once again, kissing in public in New York City. In June, Malik said they were adults and did not need to label their relationship.

January 2019: Break-up rumours emerged once again. E! News said they had been spending time apart and a source informed them that they were on a break since early November. An insider also told E! News each was focused on their careers. Yet, the same month, British daily The Sun posted images of Hadid leaving Malik’s house, claiming they might be together again, but Hadid was soon seen dating ‘The Bachelorette’ star Tyler Cameron by August.

November 2019: The new romance petered out for Hadid and friends were saying she was talking things out with Malik. A source told E! News she has always had a soft spot for Malik and they have a lot of history together.

December 2019: Hadid posted on social media a video of her trying out a recipe by Malik’s mother, captioning the image: “Sunday in the kitchen: about to marinate the chicken for one of my favorites! @mammamalik’s Chicken Curry Pasta Salad.” Many people took this as a sign that the two may have started talking again.

January 2020: They were spotted leaving New York City’s Il Buco linking arms after celebrating his birthday with Bella Hadid, Yolanda, and Dua Lipa who is dating Anwar Hadid. This suggests that the two are back together.

May 2020: Hadid confirms to US talkshow host Jimmy Fallon on May 1 that she and Malik are expecting their first child together. The couple celebrating Hadid’s 25th birthday with him in quarantine on her mother’s Pennsylvania farm last weekend. “Obviously, you know, we wish we could’ve announced it on our own terms, but we’re very excited and happy and grateful for everyone’s well wishes and support,” Hadid told Fallon via video-link. She is quarantining in New Hope, roughly 30 miles outside Philadelphia with Malik, her mother Yolanda Hadid, sister Bella and friend Leah McCarthy. But Hadid - who has modeled for Chanel and Victoria’s Secret among others - said it was a “nice silver lining to be able to be home, be together, and really experience it day by day.” - With staff inputs