Bleached hair, a fresh-looking tan and a hockey jersey were enough to send the internet into overdrive after Bella Hadid appeared to make her new relationship public this week. Almost immediately, fans joked that the famously liberal model had undergone a “MAGA makeover.”
The scene marked a striking change of image for Hadid, a vocal supporter of Palestine and transgender rights, who was photographed cuddling up rinkside in Denver with Colorado cowboy Nathan Lacy, whose political views have not been publicly confirmed.
“Bella Hadid be like ‘Free Palestine,’ ‘Abolish ICE’ while hanging out with her MAGA besties,” one critic posted. Another quipped that she had gone “full MAGA Barbie.”
The speculation continued even after Hadid, 30, explained that her new blonde look was actually a Spirit Halloween wig. Lacy has also never publicly identified himself politically, but online observers had already drawn their own conclusions.
The relationship has attracted even more attention because Lacy is the second cowboy Hadid has dated in succession. Her reported decision to spend $5.5 million on a property in his small Colorado hometown of Crested Butte this week has also left some locals wondering about the unexpected pairing.
“A lot of people have questioned how that works because she seems the total opposite,” one Crested Butte insider told Our News Outlet. Their theory? “Maybe she will change him.”
The romance represents a striking change for the famously liberal model, a prominent supporter of Palestine and trans rights, who spent the evening cuddled up rinkside in Denver with alleged conservative cowboy Nathan Lacy (Source: Bella Hadid/Instagram)
Hadid and Lacy were seen together at the game last week
Despite sharing one affectionate Instagram post, Hadid has said very little about the man now at the center of public curiosity.
“She kept him private and only told a small circle of close friends and family about him,” a second source said.
In fact, the pair’s relationship appears to have been developing quietly for much of the past year.
Hadid was first photographed with 38-year-old Lacy in Milan in February, only weeks after ending her two-year relationship with cowboy Adan Banuelos.
Banuelos has never publicly discussed his political beliefs, so whether he leans Republican remains unknown. That did not stop fans from speculating that political differences may have contributed to the breakup, particularly because rodeo culture is often viewed as politically traditional.
By Labor Day weekend, Hadid and Lacy had been seen shopping for groceries together in Crested Butte.
This week, Hadid appeared to confirm the romance on Instagram with a carousel of affectionate photographs from the Colorado Avalanche’s game against the Detroit Red Wings. She did not tag or identify Lacy in the post.
“Colorado girl at heart, growing up here since I was young,” she wrote, describing the evening as the “best night ever!!!!”
Her apparent new life in the Rockies has been kept almost as private as her relationship.
“A lot of people have questioned how that works because she seems the total opposite,” one insider told Our News Outlet (Source: Bella Hadid/Instagram)
Hadid was photographed with Lacy in Milan earlier this year
“She recently moved to Colorado, which she also kept fairly quiet,” a source told us. “She wanted to be closer to Nathan.”
Her new property is in Crested Butte, a ski town with a population of roughly 1,692, where Lacy’s family has reportedly lived for five generations. According to the local source, Hadid stayed nearby while the purchase was completed.
“He had been living in an apartment in town, although I don’t know whether he will move into her house,” the source said. “I believe she stayed with him while she waited for the closing.”
Despite her apparent time in town, Hadid’s well-known family has not been spotted there. “I’ve never seen or heard of any of her relatives visiting,” the insider added.
The couple’s presumed political contrast has also become a talking point.
Voting records first reported by Our News Outlet indicate that Lacy has been registered as a Republican since 2009. His father, Bill Jr., is also listed as a Republican, while his mother appears to be registered as a Democrat.
“His family is deeply involved in ranching, and in this part of Colorado that generally means they are very, very Republican,” the Crested Butte source said.
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Fans have additionally examined screenshots that seemingly show Lacy’s sister, Rachael, following President Donald Trump, First Daughter Ivanka Trump and the late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk on Instagram. Rachael, an equestrian and friend of Hadid’s, is believed to have introduced the couple.
“His family is deeply involved in ranching, and in this part of Colorado that generally means they are very, very Republican,” the source said (Source: Bella Hadid/Instagram)
Fans are questioning Hadid’s decision to date another cowboy after she split from Adan Banuelos, her boyfriend of two years, in early 2026 (Banuelos and Hadid pictured in September 2024)
Hadid’s new home is in Crested Butte, the Colorado ski town of about 1,692 residents where the Lacy family has lived for five generations
Lacy’s Instagram account is private, and he has not publicly shared his political views. Hadid, by contrast, has been outspoken about her own positions for years.
The model, whose father Mohamed Hadid is Palestinian, supported Joe Biden in 2020 and has repeatedly criticized the Israeli government. In January, she called for the abolition of ICE, describing the agency’s immigration-enforcement actions as “outrageous, dangerous, horror movie-like behavior.”
Only days after appearing to confirm her relationship with Lacy, Hadid also announced on Instagram that she was donating $50,000 to Tents of Hope’s Winter Tent Kits for Gaza. She said the contribution would help provide 100 families with waterproof tents, blankets and mattresses.
Still, the political questions surrounding Lacy have reportedly created no tension among those closest to Hadid.
“Her mother Yolanda is delighted for Bella,” the source said. “She has always supported the people Bella chooses to date, and that will not change because of his political affiliation.”
Lacy, who works as an estimator and project manager for the family business, is also described by locals as far removed from the stereotypical rebellious cowboy.
“He is definitely not a bad boy or a player,” the Crested Butte insider said. “He is kind, polite and fairly quiet. I rarely see him out. He has a few close friends and mostly keeps to himself.”
“She kept him private and only told a small circle of close friends and family about him,” a second source said of Hadid’s relationship with Lacy (pictured with mother Yolanda, Hadid and sister Gigi in 2021)
Hadid, whose father Mohamed is Palestinian, supported Joe Biden in 2020 and has been a vocal critic of the Israeli government (pictured together in 2019)
“She is not stepping away from modeling. She remains very busy, working hard and booking jobs,” the source said
The reported romance follows a difficult year for Hadid. In June, she revealed that she was still struggling with a severe flare-up of Lyme disease, a condition she has dealt with since her teenage years.
“After everything she experienced earlier this year, and the fact that she is still dealing with it, she wanted to return to a sense of normality with someone who makes her happy,” the second source said.
“From what I’ve heard, Nathan has been there for her and has become a real source of support.”
Those close to Hadid say the relationship has had a positive effect. “Bella is very happy,” the insider added. “She has a real glow, and people can tell Nathan is part of the reason.”
That does not mean Hadid is abandoning her modeling career for ranch life. She opened the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in New York only last month.
“She is not taking time off from modeling. She is still working hard, booked and busy,” the source said. “She travels around the country for work, so she is not living in Colorado full time.”
“But the family will spend the holidays together and make time to be with one another.”
Hadid also appears to have little interest in pursuing a high-profile celebrity romance. Her older sister Gigi, 31, previously dated singer Zayn Malik, with whom she shares six-year-old daughter Khai, and has been romantically linked to Oscar-nominated actor Bradley Cooper since 2023.
“She has never been interested in dating someone famous,” the source said. “She is very different from Gigi.”
“Bella would much rather have a quiet life away from the spotlight than be photographed every time she leaves the house.”
Our News Outlet has contacted representatives for Hadid for comment.
