The trailer for Bella Hadid’s upcoming sci-fi horror series, *The Beauty*, shows her character Ruby smashing a mirror and a chef’s facial features with a frying pan before racing through Paris on a motorcycle, with tears of blood streaming down her face.
Beyond the screen, the 29-year-old supermodel has been walking runways, dealing with health challenges, and engaging in horseback riding, which seems to help her embody both strength and vulnerability in her new role.
“It’s action-packed,” said an insider in the entertainment industry to Page Six. “It’s fast and dark. She truly sets the tone for the series.”
*The Beauty* is co-produced with Ryan Murphy and will debut on FX, HULU, and Disney+ on January 21st, marking a new chapter for Hadid. After years in fashion, she appears eager to embrace acting. She previously made a guest appearance on *Yellowstone*, playing a trainer and girlfriend to the show’s creator, Taylor Sheridan, and now she’s stepping into a more significant role.
“She enjoys collaborating with creators like Ryan and is keen to discover interesting projects in TV and film,” the source added. “She thrives on set. I saw her in *Yellowstone*, but this time, she has taken it to another level.”
“Acting is my dream, and I want to keep doing it after this,” Hadid mentioned to *The Hollywood Reporter*. “I’ve brought my artistic side and creativity into modeling, but ultimately, I love performing and the variety of characters I can embody.”
Outside of her professional life, Hadid seems to be embracing a quieter existence as a modest cowgirl in Texas.
In 2023, she met Adan Banuelos, a professional cutting horse trainer, at a horse show, and their shared passion for horses connected them. “He’s one of the best in the business,” said a source. “Bella has a profound love for horses, and they make a wonderful pair.”
Hadid, who began her equestrian journey in Los Angeles, is now involved in Western riding, particularly cutting, which involves separating cattle from a herd. She seems to appreciate stepping away from the fast-paced life of New York and Los Angeles.
“Bella isn’t well-known in the cutting circuit. She doesn’t feel the need to be ‘on,’” a source explained.
“She couldn’t be more humble and is genuinely excited to spend hours watching shows,” the insider noted, mentioning that she has impressed Banuelos with her riding skills. “Cutting is uniquely challenging. Her dedication took many by surprise.”
She’s open about her struggles, often sharing her journey with her followers. In 2023, she spoke on Instagram about nearly 15 years of invisible suffering.
“Trying to make myself and my loved ones proud, the toll of time and work has affected me in hard-to-describe ways. Feeling that sadness was perhaps the most confusing thing ever… But if you’re struggling, it does get better.”
Banuelos has supported her during tough health moments, going on long trail rides when she needed comfort.
Their relationship feels like a refreshing change from her previous high-profile relationship with musician The Weeknd.
Banuelos expressed his contentment: “It’s refreshing to escape the crowd and form real connections.”
Hadid has been in the public eye for much of her life but has faced battles with depression. “Mental illness isn’t a straight path; it’s a roller coaster with its ups and downs,” she reflected in an Instagram post from 2021. “But there’s always light at the end of the tunnel.”
As a teenager, she was the shy equestrian daughter of Yolanda Hadid and sister of model Gigi Hadid, appearing on *The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills* before starting her modeling career at 16. At that time, she, along with her mother and brother, was diagnosed with Lyme disease.
Last September, Hadid shared a poignant photo while hospitalized for chronic neurological Lyme disease, apologizing to fans for her absence online. “Sorry for being MIA, I love you all,” she wrote on Instagram.
A month later, she made a comeback at the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show, stunning in lingerie and angel wings.
While she looked as radiant as ever, concerns arose regarding her emaciated appearance as she struggled with the weight of her wings.
Recently, at the premiere of *The Beauty* in a red Schiaparelli dress, Hadid displayed a vibrant energy that caught attention. “She was the standout on the red carpet. The crowd went wild, and she stayed late for selfies with fans,” one attendee shared.
During the event, Hadid shared her enthusiasm for her role. “Talking to Ryan was about stepping outside my comfort zone. I said, ‘Ryan, I want to look haggard,’ and I never wanted to be just another girl-next-door,” she remarked to *Entertainment Tonight*.
“He inspired me to become a different version of myself—a version I’d always wanted to explore. The adrenaline and rush of stunts are thrills I cherish,” she admitted, though she expressed feeling “nervous” about her performance.
After enduring numerous hardships, Hadid seems to be flourishing, a source close to her and Banuelos told Page Six. “While Lyme disease is an ongoing battle, she’s quite happy and as healthy as can be.”
Page Six has reached out for comment.
