Supermodel Bella Hadid has opened up about the professional and emotional impact of her ongoing battle with Lyme disease, saying the illness forced her to turn down virtually all work for nearly a year and made her feel “disposable,” according to a recent interview published by Vogue Italia.
Hadid, 29, spoke candidly about the toll that stepping away from her career for Lyme disease treatment took on her sense of self‑worth, and how the experience has changed the way she approaches her work. She discussed the conversation with her sister, Gigi Hadid, in which she explained learning to set boundaries and say “no” as a key lesson.
Diagnosed with Lyme disease at age 16, Hadid said that prolonged treatment last year led her to decline “every job for almost a year,” a decision that came with heavy emotional costs in an industry that typically demands constant visibility and productivity.
Despite the challenges, the model said the break helped her reconnect with her personal life, especially while living in Texas with her animals, and helped her reframe her career goals. “Being able to be in Texas with my horses and my dog, having a real life, and then going back to work makes it more fulfilling,” she was quoted as saying.
Hadid also highlighted that she is now more selective about the projects she takes on, choosing work that aligns with her wellbeing and that she approaches with people she trusts and respects.