Why Bella Hadid Is Thanking Gigi Hadid's Ex Zayn Malik

Bella Hadid is sending her love for Gigi Hadid and Zayn Malik in one direction.

The supermodel recently commended the former couple—who split in 2021—for raising such a "sweet, generous, spirted, perfect angel" in their daughter Khai Malik as co-parents.

Sharing photos of herself and Khai in honor of the little one's fourth birthday, Bella wrote on her Instagram Stories Sept. 19, "Auntie loves you more than all the birds in the sky and all of the sand on the beaches."

She added in a sweet aside, "@gigihadid x @zayn my favorite collab thank you from the bottom of my [heart emoji]."

But the love didn't stop there. Bella went on to call Khai the "best girl," sharing pictures of her niece visiting a stable, petting a horse and painting an equine figurine.

"Horse girl, artist," the 27-year-old continued. "Daughter of the year."

However, Khai's interests reaches beyond just horses. As Gigi noted in a birthday tribute of her own, "She loves animals (fantastical ones too), music, baby yoda, all things nature & bugs, Descendants, anything squishy or miniature, and if possible- will be in the water from dawn til dusk."

In fact, the Guest in Residence founder helped Khai ring in her latest milestone with a massive cake shaped like Baby Yoda—a.k.a. Grogu from the Star Wars franchise—at a backyard bash.

"Khai- it is my life’s greatest joy and pride to be your mama!!!!" she captioned images from the party on Instagram. "Thank you for the four best years of my life- you remind me to live life to the fullest every day, in the most simple & beautiful ways."

Likewise, Khai has made a major impact on Zayn.

"Happy birthday to the most important person in my life, I love you more than words allow me to express, beyond proud to call you my daughter," the One Direction alum wrote on his own Sept. 19 birthday tribute. "Grateful for every second I get to spend next to you, as you become the incredible person I know you already are."

He added, "Four years ago today my life changed forever and I wouldn’t be the man I am today without you."

To see Khai's cutest moments through the years, keep reading.

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