Bella Hadid is once again sparking conversation online after sharing a dreamy new yacht-side bikini snap, though not everyone was focused on the supermodel’s glamorous setting. The 29-year-old model took to Instagram to post a series of sun-soaked photos from the water, including one image showing her from behind in a tiny brown bikini while holding an iced coffee aboard a yacht.
Bella Hadid Compared To A ‘Skeleton On A Boat’
“Morning coffees before work shall never feel the same from this point forward,” Hadid captioned the post, while tagging friends and family members, including sister Gigi Hadid and mom Yolanda Hadid. While many followers flooded the comments with praise, calling the model a “mermaid” and complimenting her glowing look, others had a far more critical reaction to her slim frame.
The post quickly sparked debate online, with some critics making harsh remarks about Hadid’s appearance. “Skeletons on a boat, it must be almost Halloween,” one person commented, earning dozens of likes.
See The Photos!
Elsewhere, fans came to Hadid’s defense, with several calling her a “mermaid” and praising the laid-back beach aesthetic of the photos. “Love you u looking mermaid,” one supporter wrote, while another simply commented, “Mermaid.”
Another viewer admitted they couldn’t stop revisiting the post, writing, “As I scrolled I liked this like 5 times.”
Bella Hadid Has Opened Up About Body Image Struggles
The mixed reaction comes as Hadid has previously spoken candidly about the emotional toll beauty standards and public perception have taken on her over the years.
Back in a 2022 interview with Vogue, the supermodel admitted she often struggled with insecurity growing up, even comparing herself to her older sister Gigi Hadid. “I was the uglier sister. I was the brunette. I wasn’t as cool as Gigi, not as outgoing,” Bella recalled. “That’s really what people said about me.”
Hadid also opened up about quietly struggling behind the scenes during the height of her modeling career. “For three years while I was working, I would wake up every morning hysterical, in tears, alone,” she shared. “I wouldn’t show anybody that.”
Hadid Keeps Focused On Work
Despite the online criticism, Hadid has remained booked and busy, balancing her modeling career with major fashion campaigns and partnerships.
Most recently, the model stepped into a major new role with Prada Beauty as the global face of the brand, while also walking in Prada’s Fall 2026 ready-to-wear show for the first time. “The whole look leans into what some might call imperfections, and that’s exactly the point,” celebrity makeup artist Tonya Riner previously told WWD of Hadid’s look. “It’s not about perfection. It’s about letting individuality take the lead.”
Bella Hadid Has Previously Been Open About Health Struggles
The criticism surrounding Hadid’s latest bikini snap also comes after the model has been candid about her ongoing health battles. Last year, Hadid opened up about living with chronic illness, sharing a glimpse into the emotional toll that comes with managing Lyme disease.
“The medical anxiety is soooooo real,” Hadid admitted on Instagram Stories while reposting content about the realities of chronic illness. She thanked influencer Alexandra Wildeson for perfectly capturing the “daily situations” she faces, adding, “Thank you for putting every one of my thoughts and daily situations into one swipe. The truuuuuth!”
In another post shared at the time, Hadid reposted a meme about the frustrations of chronic illness, poking fun at the reality of constantly dealing with symptoms. The message read: “When your chronic illness is chronic illness-ing and someone says ‘it’s always something with you’ like… yes… one might say the illness is… chronic.”
Hadid has been vocal for years about her Lyme disease diagnosis and the physical and emotional challenges that often come with it, previously stepping back from work to focus on her health.