All About Marc Kalman, Bella Hadid's Ex-Boyfriend
Bella Hadid seemed to subtly debut a new romance on her Instagram on July 8, 2021. The then-24-year-old model shared a photo of her and art director Marc Kalman cuddled up at the end of a IG gallery, featuring shots of herself in France. The post was taken down after their split.
“Time of my life ⏳🫀🍾,” she wrote. “Healthy, Working and Loved ❤️🔥🌹” Kalman embracing Hadid in the last photo:
Kalman’s addition was noticed by fans and media outlets alike, who speculated she was making their private romance Instagram official. Their France outing was not the only time they sparked dating rumors, after all.
E! reported a day after the photo spread that Hadid and Kalman really are a full fledge couple. “Now that they have become more serious, she has been excited to be seen with him,” a source close to Hadid told the outlet. Page Six reported on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 that Hadid and Kalman actually secretly dated for a year.
The couple enjoyed another year together before Entertainment Tonight reported they broke up in spring 2023.
So who is Kalman and what is his history with Hadid? Here, what to know about the man who had Hadid’s heart for years.
Kalman is an art director who has famously worked with Travis Scott for years.
There’s a Kardashian connection between Kalman, who has worked as an art director for Kylie Jenner’s boyfriend Travis Scott and Hadid, who is close with Kylie’s sister Kendall Jenner.
Kalman is well-known for his work with Scott in the music industry and has a prolific portfolio site depicting his various projects, from doing album art for Scott to creating branding for Milk Studio’s Made Fashion Week.
Kalman and artist Corey Damon Black, who work together on Scott’s branding, did an interview with 1985 where they spoke a little about their work. The piece primarily served as a profile on the two, with writer Periel Aschenbrand describing Kalman as a good listener, a “young Fabien Baron, Charles Saatchi and Steve Jobs all rolled into one,” and “more cautious and calculating” than Black.
Black spoke about his working relationship with Kalman, saying, “Marc manages my impulses. When I’m working on something, Marc is, like, the only person I will talk to. I go into a cave. I don’t want to hear what anyone else thinks.”
When asked how Black and Kalman bring their art to the internet, Kalman and Black offered the same answer, “With value and with respect.”
Kalman is private on social media, although he and Hadid follow each other.
Kalman and Hadid didn’t share much about their relationship publicly. Kalman had his Instagram set to private when news first broke.
Hadid did follow him though, and he followed Hadid.
Daily Mail first linked Kalman and Hadid romantically in June 2021.
On June 5, 2021, The Daily Mail ran a video of Hadid getting lunch with her “rumored beau” Kalman. It was the first time any media outlet linked the two together romantically. The video came after unverified Instagram gossip account DeuxMoi ran a post claiming Hadid had a new boyfriend earlier in the year.
After Hadid posted her Instagram with Kalman, DeuxMoi ran an update on their relationship, where DeuxMoi claimed that Hadid has quietly been involved with Kalman for some time. Of course, Hadid hasn’t verified this, so make what you will of the gossip.
DeuxMoi wrote, “She has been with him for a while. He is the same guy I was referring to when I told you guys she had a BF months ago.”
Page Six was told that Hadid and Kalman actually have been seeing each other for a year, since July 2020.
Kalman has appeared in photos with Hadid since July 2020, usually behind her or beside her. A source explained to Page Six, “They hid it [their dating] well. If they went out, he would come out first, get the car, and then she would get into the car. They would drive to a location, and he’d drop her off but not get out and go park the car. They were very diligent about not being seen on a public street at the same time.”
Bella Hadid with Marc Kalman behind her on July 2, 2020. He has the light brown hair and is wearing a navy top.
Hadid and Kalman made a point to never show any PDA. “Not once, and most of the time they were with other people, which of course made it difficult to prove that they were dating.”
Bella Hadid and Marc Kalman on November 23, 2020. The photo agency described Kalman as a “friend” of Hadid’s.
E! was told by a source a day after their 2021 debut that Hadid is “completely smitten” with Kalman—and their relationship is serious.
Hadid posting Kalman to her Instagram was a deliberate next step in their relationship. A source close to Hadid spoke to E! about their bond on July 9, 2021, describing Hadid as “completely smitten” with Kalman.
“[They] have been trying to keep it super low-key and private,” the source started. But things are changing now that they’re IG official: “Now that they have become more serious, she has been excited to be seen with him. She is truly so happy right now.”
Hadid and Kalman met in New York City through work.
Hadid and Kalman didn’t meet at any Kardashian party; their work in the fashion industry connected them. E!’s source explained that Kalman and Hadid “had met before in New York City while working. He has been the creative behind many fashion projects and they have crossed paths several times.”
Hadid’s family and friends all approved of her and Kalman.
Hadid took her time after her August 2019 breakup with The Weeknd to be single for a bit, E!’s source said, but eventually, she “felt she was finally ready for a new relationship.”
The source didn’t specify when exactly she and Kalman started dating, but the insider revealed that he has met Hadid’s family and friends.
Hadid’s mom Yolanda, sister Gigi, and Gigi’s boyfriend Zayn are among those who have met Kalman and were charmed by him, the source said: “She’s introduced him to her family and they all think he’s a great guy. He’s hung out with Gigi, Zayn and Yolanda on several occasions and they all approve and love him.”
Hadid and Kalman were photographed making out multiple times in France during the Cannes Film Festival.
Kalman was with Hadid while the model attended the Cannes Film Festival in July 2021. Paparazzi photographed them on two different outings making out, so they really aren’t hiding their relationship from anyone anymore. One day after Hadid posted a photo of her and Kalman kissing, the two were snapped making out on a boat as they traveled the French Riviera.
On Monday, July 12, Kalman and Hadid were photographed kissing while having lunch in Cannes.
Kalman and Hadid went sightseeing in France together in 2022.
Hadid and Kalman are enjoyed France again together a year later, this time with some friends in Antibes. There were photos taken of them sightseeing on Saturday, May 28, 2022, after stopping for lunch at the Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc.
Walking along the beach and tide pools, Hadid seemed to stop to take photos and then look at the results, with Kalman peering over her shoulder. She wore a white cut-out bathing suit under long white shorts with a tan leather belt. Kalman was wearing a polo with khaki slacks.
The couple was in France for a few weeks to enjoy the 2022 Cannes Film Festival.
Kalman and Hadid walked hand-in-hand while shopping in Paris in July 2022.
Kalman visited Hadid in France, where she was modeling for Paris Fashion Week in the Balenciaga show. The two love birds were seen walking hand-in-hand on Saturday, July 9, as they explored vintage stores in the city.
Hadid was wearing an off-the-shoulder black dress printed with the phrase “The One” over a white tank. She accessorized with black heels and a black leather bag with a gold chain handle slung over her shoulder, plus sunglasses. Kalman was wearing a hoodie with seemingly no shirt underneath, keeping the hood up most of their trip. It had the “Parental Advisory” label across the lapel. He had on a large silver necklace, leather shoes, and dark blue jeans.
Hadid and Kalman made each other laugh while walking through Tribeca together.
The couple were photographed leaving Sadelle’s where they reportedly had a birthday brunch for Hadid, who had then turned 26 on October 9, 2022. They were in good spirits as they walked through the streets in New York City.
Hadid wore a long grey coat over a denim dress, underneath which she wore black pants and a pair of black flats. The art director was wearing a graphic patterned shirt and jeans. In some photos, Hadid can be seen carrying several bouquets of flowers.
Hadid shared a mirror selfie with her boyfriend on Instagram in January 2023.
On January 5, 2023, Hadid shared a carousel of photos that including a mirror selfie with Kalman in which they are both in their bathing suits. The rest of the images she shared showed some beach time, including what appear to be paparazzi photos taken of the model while she was enjoying a waterski out in the ocean.
In the photo, Hadid is wearing a yellow and red bikini with a pair of khaki shorts and carrying a quilted tote bag over one shoulder. Kalman is in black shorts with white stripes, and they look fresh from the beach.
Kalman and Hadid broke up in spring 2023.
Hadid and Kalman managed to keep their breakup private for months. On July 19, 2023, a source told Entertainment Tonight that the couple quietly ended things in the spring. “They were very in love, but the relationship ultimately ran its course and they decided to end things,” the source said. “Bella is a very nice person, but struggles with the pressures of fame. She has been trying to take care of herself since their split.” The outlet also revealed that day that she had quietly been on medical leave for the last four months, receiving daily treatment for her Lyme disease.
Senior News and Strategy Editor
Alyssa Bailey is the senior news and strategy editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage of celebrities and royals (particularly Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton). She previously held positions at InStyle and Cosmopolitan. When she’s not working, she loves running around Central Park, making people take #ootd pics of her, and exploring New York City.
