A supermodel and a cowboy sounds more like the title of a matchmaking reality show than a real life situation, but supermodel Bella Hadid really did find love at the rodeo.
Hadid met cowboy (yes that’s his actual job) Adan Banuelos in early 2024 and were ready to ride into the sunset together.
However, recent reports from Entertainment Tonight claim the couple has now gone their separate ways.
“Bella is still processing the breakup since it was a very serious relationship,” a source told ET.
“Bella’s doing her best to stay positive and distract herself since their split. She’s been staying busy with work and spending time with close friends.”
Neither have commented on the matter.
Who is Adan Banuelos?
Adan Banuelos is a Mexican-American cowboy and horse trainer. In 2017, the now 36-year old was the youngest member ever to be inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association Riders Hall of Fame.
It means he’s not just any cowboy. Banuelos is A-list cowboy.
How did Bella Hadid meet boyfriend Adan?
Banuelos confirmed the pair met at a horse show.
“If it wasn’t for horses, I’d have never met the love of my life,” Banuelos told W in September 2024.
Hadid was reportedly at the show with her mother Yolanda when she crossed paths with Banuelos. The mother-daughter duo were there to support Yolanda’s then-fiancé, Joseph Jingoli, compete in the show.
Hadid has long been a keen horsewoman and was ranked nationally at one point, even hoping to ride professionally at the 2016 Olympics.
“It’s a passion that her whole family shares,” Banuelos said. “I was just a lucky guy that said hi. I didn’t really know who I was saying hi to. I just knew, she’s gorgeous. And if I would’ve known, I probably would’ve stuttered my way right out it.”
Speaking with Elle magazine in May 2025, the model spoke about the moment she met Adan. She said it was just a casual weekend in Texas, moving cows and spending time on trail rides.
“Then, the next day, I meet my boyfriend. I saw him walk in, and it was like a gust of fresh air.
“So he basically came in, walked into the exhibit hall, which is where we do all of the show stuff. I was getting a cowboy hat fitted. I just saw him and I was like that’s the…I always wanted the cowboy.
“And he’s pretty gorgeous, let me tell you something.”
During her time dating Banuelos, Hadid’s style has been influenced by their shared love of rodeo.
Hadid later moved to Fort Worth in Texas, which is where Banuelos lives.
“After 10 years of modeling, I realised I was putting so much energy and love and effort into something that… wasn’t necessarily giving it back to me,” she told Allure magazine about her motivation for leaving the city.
And surely a certain handsome horse handler also had a tiny bit to do with it.
Instagram Official
Hadid made her relationship with Banuelos Instagram official in February 2024.
The supermodel, known for her high-profile life and runway success, introduced her new boyfriend through subtle hints on social media before hard launching the relationship with a snapshot shared on Valentine’s Day, captioned “My Valentine.”
Since then her Instagram feed has been packed full of equestrian activities, with Hadid often seen cheering Banuelos at rodeo events.
But it’s not always Banuelos in the saddle and Hadid seems as comfortable on a horse as posing for a shoot. It’s a sentiment Banuelos echoed in an interview with W.
“She’s very natural, very good at it,” he said. “All animals, not only horses, love her. Her lifestyle is a lot of fashion and it looks glamorous and this and that, but at heart, she’s a cowgirl.”
Who else has Bella Hadid dated?
Marc Kalman (2020 – 2023)
Bella Hadid and Marc Kalman’s relationship was markedly more private compared to her previous ones, with both opting to keep details of their romance away from the public eye.
News of their relationship first became public in July 2021 and it is believed they broke up in 2023 when Hadid first alluded to her relationship with Banuelos on her Instagram Stories.
Drake (2017)
Rumours swirled around Hadid and Canadian rapper Drake in 2017, speculating a brief romantic connection.
While neither party confirmed the relationship, fans speculated that Drake’s song Finesse, which includes lyrics that fans believe reference Hadid, might be a nod to their rumoured fling.
The rumours gained traction when Us Weekly reported that Drake threw Hadid a 21st birthday party.
The Weeknd (2015 – 2019)
Hadid’s relationship with Canadian singer The Weeknd (Abel Tesfaye) is perhaps her most publicised romance.
The couple first started dating in 2015, making their debut as a couple at Coachella. They had an on-and-off relationship, with their busy schedules often cited as a reason for their breaks.
They initially split in 2016, when Tesfaye engaged in a year-long relationship with Selena Gomez. In spite of this, they reconciled in 2018, but eventually called it quits again in 2019.
“They are in different places right now, physically and mentally,” a source told E! News.
Their relationship was filled with public appearances, including at the Met Gala, and several (somewhat shady) mentions in The Weeknd’s songs post-relationship.
