Living the American dream! Gigi Hadid has landed her very first Vogue cover. The model, 21, graces the August 2016 issue alongside decathlete Ashton Eaton just in time for the 2016 Summer Olympics, in Rio de Janeiro.
“An ultimate dream come true, I am beyond humbled. Shooting my first American @voguemagazine cover, in my hometown, was so surreal,” Hadid, who stunned in an aqua knit Versace dress and a Jennifer Fisher earring, mused in a Thursday, July 14, Instagram. “And to be able to share it with Olympic Gold Medalist and my new friend #AshtonEaton is such an honor. I couldn’t think of a cover I’d rather be on than the one celebrating athletes. Being an athlete has brought so much pride and joy to my life and has instilled the work ethic that still drives me every day.”
She also gave thanks to Vogue’s editor in chief, Anna Wintour; photographer Mario Testino; stylist Tonne Goodman and her fans. “This one’s dedicated to my biggest inspirations to work hard, my family, to all my coaches throughout my life 🏐🐎 and of course to the fans that have stuck by me from the start!!! Feeling extremely blessed. x,” Hadid, the daughter of Mohamed and Yolanda Hadid concluded. While she’s been on the covers of Teen Vogue, Vogue Paris and British Vogue, the American edition stands out as one of her most major fashion accomplishments yet.
Hadid revealed that she played volleyball in high school, and still reflects on her time on the court. “I mean, I trained like a professional athlete,” she said. “That’s why I think I get along so well with athletes, although people cannot imagine me as a volleyball player. I’m just a lot more intense than you assume. I’m very competitive.”
Her active history is how she was able to relate to her fellow cover star, Eaton. Gigi’s dad, Mohamed Hadid, was an Olympic skier. And Bella Hadid, who’s an equestrian, had dreams of making it to the Olympics as well. Gigi and Eaton, 28, frequent the same juice shops in Santa Barbara, where the Vogue photo shoot took place. Eaton trains at the same high school that one of Gigi’s ex-boyfriends graduated from. They also share a similar mind-set that propels them to win.
“I pretty much just go day by day,” Hadid said. “It keeps me a lot more focused and less stressed out. A calm mind-set — you know, refreshing your brain after every play.”
And it’s paid off. Donatella Versace praised Hadid’s undeniable growth within the industry. “For me, she symbolizes a new generation of young women who are totally in control of their own destiny, women who will shape the 21st century on their own terms,” Versace said in the interview.
