Bella Hadid and The Weeknd's relationship timeline: 'After Hours' lyrics hints at reunion of on-and-off couple
The Weeknd's key speciality of sadness incorporated with seductiveness in his songs echoes his love life. The Weeknd, whose real name is Abel Tesfaye, has been in an on-and-off relationship with supermodel Bela Hadid for quite some time now. He even went on to date Selen Gomez for a while, when he and Bella 'were on a break', which justifiably surmounts to Bella Hadid's evident resentment for Selena.
Bella Hadid and The Weeknd have broken up and reconciled numerous times since they came together in 2015. Let's have a look at their complete relationship timeline from 2015 to 2021.
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2015: Bella Hadid and The Weeknd started dating
Back in April 2015, E! reported that Hadid, then 18, and The Weeknd, then 25, are dating after they were spotted together at Coachella. "They were hanging out in Coachella and were flirting lots. They have many things in common and really enjoyed each other's company. She loves his music as well. They are hanging out for sure now, " a source said.
In September 2015, the couple was photographed leaving the Alexander Wang show hand in hand, as they celebrated New York Fashion Week together. Later, in October 2015 The Weeknd confirmed that he originally connected with Hadid when he asked her to be on the artwork for his album 'Beauty Behind the Madness'. "My motive was literally to work with her. However, when she denied, I was like, ‘All right, cool—we can meet up face-to-face,'” he said in a profile with Rolling Stone. The singer also revealed that he'd bought Hadid a Yorkie named Hendrix for her 19th birthday. “But I’m probably going to end up taking care of it,” he said.
In the same interview, The Weeknd revealed he was attracted to how hardworking Hadid is and the bond she shares with her family. “It (the relationship) just kind of fell into my lap. If this had happened two years ago—well, she couldn’t. (Hadid would have been 16.) But if I’d met someone two years ago, I probably would’ve fucked it up. But I’m more—how do I say it?—clear-thinking now.”
Their relationship was almost officially confirmed when the couple was spotted in Soho with Bella's sister Gigi and mom, Yolanda. Yolanda had even shared a snap of Bella and The Weeknd on Bella's birthday. In December 2015, Hadid appeared in the music video for The Weeknd's song, 'In the Night.'
2016: The first breakup rumors
E! reported that the couple was allegedly on a break amidst the holidays. "Their schedules got very busy, and it really cut into their relationship. They are still in each other's lives though, just not in the same exclusive capacity," a source told the outlet.
Their breakup rumors proved to be false when Hadid and The Weeknd made their red carpet debut together at the Grammy Awards in 2016. The Weeknd won two Grammys that night. Hadid later talked to Glamour about the evening, and said, "It was a big night for him. He has worked so hard, and he did so well that night. As a girlfriend I wanted to be there to support him. Seeing him so happy when he won a Grammy made me so happy."
In the same interview, Hadid also said, "I’m dating Abel. I don’t see him as The Weeknd. I’m proud of The Weeknd and the music he makes, but I really love Abel." The couple kept making public appearances together throughout the year. They were spotted at Daily Front Row’s Fashion Los Angeles Awards in March 2016 and a Lakers game in April 2016. The couple made their Met Gala debut as a couple in May 2016.
The duo then took a trip to Tokyo in October 2016 and celebrated Bella's 20th birthday together. In November 2016, People reported that the couple had broken up. "Their schedules have been too hard to coordinate and he is focusing on finishing and promoting his album. They still have a great deal of love for one another and will remain friends," a source told the outlet.
In December 2015, The Weeknd performed on the same Victoria's Secret stage as Hadid. Talking about the situation, Hadid told E! News, "This is his second year performing, and I think he's going to kill it. There is no awkwardness. He is my best friend, and I am excited because I am walking during his performance."
An E! source hinted, "Getting back together is possible in the future. He has been really supportive with her."
2017: The Weeknd's highly publicized affair with Selena Gomez
Bella and The Weeknd's reconciliation plans got a stroke when the latter was spotted kissing Selena Gomez in Santa Monica, which was followed by Hadid unfollowing Gomez on Instagram. A People source explained, "Bella and Abel’s split wasn’t dramatic." But the model was "hurt and pissed that he’s moved on so quickly with Selena." The Weeknd and Selena Gomez had met through Taylor Swift. An Us Weekly insider claimed, "Bella has reached out to Abel a few times and told him Selena is using him. He thinks she’s just jealous and isn’t listening to her."
In October 2017, People reported that The Weeknd and Gomez had broken up after 10 months of dating. “She and Abel have been going back and forth for a few months about their relationship. It’s been hard with him being on tour and her shooting in New York. That wasn’t easy on them.”
Not less than two weeks after his split with Selena Gomez, The Weeknd was seen leaving Bella's NYC apartment in November 2017. "Bella and Abel have been in contact since Abel and Selena split, but they are not back together. Abel reached out to Bella asking to hang out and catch up, and she decided to see him and see where things go. She knows that if they don't date again, they can at least be good friends," a source told E! News.
2018: The Weeknd and Bella Hadid officially got back together
The couple was spotted kissing at Coachella in April 2018. The couple then made the relationship Insta official by re-following each other in July 2018. E! claimed that the duo was "exclusively dating" and "in a great place." "Abel realized once he started dating around, that he actually is still in love with Bella, and they reconnected," a source told the outlet. They also attended Kylie Jenner's 21st birthday together.
In November 2018, Us Weekly reported that The Weeknd asked Hadid to move into his NYC apartment and she agreed. Sources told the outlet that the couple was "madly in love with each other. A proposal is on the horizon."
2019: Bella Hadid and The Weeknd split again
In August 2019, E! reported the news of the couple's breakup. "They are in different places right now, physically and mentally. Bella is prepping for her fashion week commitments and Abel is working on his music and his upcoming acting debut." Apparently, the pair hadn't "spent quality time together in months," a source was quoted by the outlet.
In October 2019, E! reported that Hadid and The Weeknd reconciled for a second time hours after he made an appearance at her 23rd birthday party in New York. "Abel met up with Bella last night for her third birthday celebration at L'Avenue. He was with her the entire night and they left together to go back to the apartment they both shared. You could tell that they were definitely in love and they both looked very happy being around each other," a source told the portal.
However, sources seemed to be divided over whether the couple had reconciled or not. While some claimed they did, some said The Weeknd attended Hadid's birthday party just 'as a friend.'
2020: The Weeknd wrote a song about his relationship with Bella Hadid
Fans speculated that the third song of The Weeknd's new album 'After hours', had some Hadid references, with the lines being 'my heart belongs to you / I'll risk it all for you I won't just leave / This time, I'll never leave,' possibly projecting towards his earlier breakup with the model.
There were rumors about the couple "being in touch" but there was no confirmation on their reconciliation. In February 2021, The Weeknd was rumored to be dating Spanish singer-songwriter Rosalía, but he was quick to refute them, stating that he won't be wouldn't be bringing a plus-one to his Super Bowl performance.