Platinum-blonde hair, a fresh spray tan and a hockey jersey were enough to send the internet into overdrive after Bella Hadid publicly debuted her new boyfriend this week. Fans quickly dubbed the look her “MAGA makeover.”
The scene marked a striking contrast for the famously liberal supermodel, a prominent supporter of Palestine and transgender rights. Hadid spent the evening tucked beside the rink in Denver with Colorado cowboy Nathan Lacy, whom some online users have characterized as conservative.
“Bella Hadid be like ‘Free Palestine,’ ‘Abolish ICE’ while hanging out with her MAGA besties,” one critic wrote. Another accused her of going “full MAGA Barbie.”
The internet had already reached its conclusions, despite Hadid, 30, later explaining that the bleached hair was a Spirit Halloween wig and Lacy has never publicly outlined his political views.
Lacy is also Hadid’s second cowboy partner in succession. Her reported decision to spend $5.5 million on a home in his small Colorado hometown of Crested Butte this week, apparently to be nearer to him, has left even local residents wondering how the relationship works.
“A lot of people have questioned how that works because she seems the total opposite,” one Crested Butte insider told the Daily Mail. Their conclusion? “Maybe she will change him.”
The evening represented a sharp contrast for the famously liberal supermodel, a vocal supporter of Palestine and trans rights, who was photographed beside the rink in Denver with alleged conservative cowboy Nathan Lacy (Source: Bella Hadid/Instagram)
Hadid and Lacy were seen together at the game last week
Aside from one affectionate Instagram post, however, Hadid has said very little about her new relationship.
“She’s kept him a secret and didn’t tell too many people about him except her close friends and family,” a second source said.
In reality, the romance appears to have been unfolding quietly in public for much of the past year.
Hadid was first seen with Lacy, 38, in Milan in February, just weeks after ending her two-year relationship with cowboy Adan Banuelos.
Banuelos’ political views remain unknown because he has never discussed them publicly. That did not prevent fans from speculating that “differing political views” may have contributed to the couple’s split. Rodeo, one observer noted, is widely viewed as “traditional.”
By Labor Day weekend, Hadid and Lacy were photographed shopping for groceries together in Crested Butte.
This week, Hadid made the relationship Instagram official with a series of affectionate photographs from the Colorado Avalanche’s game against the Detroit Red Wings. She still did not identify or tag Lacy.
“Colorado girl at heart, growing up here since I was young,” she wrote, calling it the “best night ever!!!!”
Hadid’s apparent new life in the Rocky Mountains has been kept almost as private as her relationship with Lacy.
“A lot of people have questioned how that works because she seems the total opposite,” a Crested Butte insider told the Daily Mail (Source: Bella Hadid/Instagram)
Hadid was photographed with Lacy in Milan earlier this year
“She moved to Colorado recently, which is also something she didn’t tell too many people,” a source said. “She wanted to be closer to Nathan.”
Her new property is in Crested Butte, a ski town with a population of just 1,692. The Lacy family has lived there for five generations, and a local source said Hadid had somewhere comfortable to stay while the purchase was completed.
“He was living in an apartment in town, but I don’t know if he will move in with her,” the source said. “I think she was staying with him until she closed on her place.”
Despite spending time in the area, Hadid’s famous relatives have not been a familiar sight. “I’ve never seen or heard of any of her family visiting,” the insider added.
Then there is the question of politics.
Voting records first reported by the Daily Mail show that Lacy has been a registered Republican since 2009. His father, Bill Jr., is also registered as a Republican, while his mother appears to be a Democrat.
“I know his family is big in the ranching world and in our part of [Colorado] that usually means very, very Republican,” the Crested Butte source said.
Fans have also examined screenshots that appear to 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.
“I know his family is big in the ranching world and in our part of [Colorado] that usually means very, very Republican,” the source said (Source: Bella Hadid/Instagram)
Hadid’s relationship with another cowboy has prompted questions following her 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 1,692-person ski town where Lacy’s 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.
The model, whose father Mohamed is Palestinian, endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and has repeatedly criticized the Israeli government. In January, she called for ICE to be abolished, describing the agency’s actions as “outrageous, dangerous, horror movie-like behavior.”
Just days after announcing her relationship, Hadid also revealed 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, according to the local source, Lacy’s presumed politics have created little tension in Crested Butte.
“Her mom Yolanda is thrilled for Bella,” the source said. “She’s always supported anyone she dates and that isn’t going to change given his political party.”
Lacy, an estimator and project manager at his family’s company, is hardly viewed locally as a rebellious figure.
“He’s definitely not a bad boy or player,” the Crested Butte insider said. “Nice, polite. Pretty quiet. I have rarely seen him out—he has a few close friends and, other than that, keeps to himself for the most part.”
“She’s kept him a secret and didn’t tell too many people about him except her close friends and family,” a second source said of Hadid’s relationship with Lacy (pictured with Hadid, her mother Yolanda and sister Gigi in 2021)
Hadid, whose father Mohamed is Palestinian, endorsed Joe Biden in 2020 and has been an outspoken critic of the Israeli government (pictured together in 2019)
“She’s not taking a break from her modeling career. She’s very much still working hard and booked and busy,” the source said
The relationship follows a difficult year for Hadid. In June, she said she had been unable to “shake off” a severe flare-up of Lyme disease, which she has battled since her teenage years.
“After what she went through earlier this year, something she’s still battling, she wanted to just get back to normal life and with someone who makes her happy,” the second source said.
“What I’ve heard is Nathan is helping her and has been a rock.”
Those close to the situation say Hadid is doing well. “Bella is very happy,” the insider said. “She has a glow about her and you can tell it’s because of Nathan.”
That does not mean she is leaving the fashion world behind. Hadid opened the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show in New York just last month.
“She’s not taking a break from her modeling career. She’s very much still working hard and booked and busy,” the source said. “She travels around the country for work, so she’s not completely living there full time.
“But during the holidays, the family will be celebrating together and spending time together.”
Hadid is also not seeking a high-profile celebrity romance. Her sister Gigi, 31, previously dated singer Zayn Malik, with whom she shares six-year-old daughter Khai, and has been in a relationship with Oscar-nominated actor Bradley Cooper since 2023.
“She’s never been one to want to date someone famous,” the source said. “She’s the complete opposite from her sister Gigi.
“She’d rather have a quiet life away from it all than be photographed every time she steps outside.”
The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Hadid for comment.