Gigi Hadid acknowledges Zayn Malik as Khai turns 5 in rare birthday post and events unfold as fans praise 'normal' party

Gigi Hadid celebrated Khai's fifth birthday with a family-forward Instagram post that included a rare nod to the child’s father, Zayn Malik. The Vogue cover model wrote in the caption: "Celebrating you is the Best Day Ever, every year. Happy 5th Birthday to the light of my life! You are truly everything✨✨⚡️⚡️⚡️ so lucky & proud to be your mama!!!!!!!" A follower asked if Khai's dad would be there, prompting Hadid to reply: "She was with us both on her birthday!!" The exchange underscored the co-parenting arrangement Malik shares with Hadid after their six-year relationship ended in 2021.

Photos released Monday show the celebration staged outdoors with arts-and-crafts tables, balloons and a multi-colored, heart-shaped cake that read "Happy 5th birthday Khai!!" in red icing. A carousel post also included a shot of wooden tables where partygoers could color. In a Stories share, Hadid posted a photo of Khai riding a horse, wearing riding boots she wore as a child, with the caption "Riding in my old boots."

Fans praised the party for its simplicity and 'normal' feel. "I love how natural it is, like a real kid's birthday. It's really beautiful," one commenter wrote, a post with more than 10,000 likes. Others echoed the sentiment: "Nothing super over the top, just real and raw and I appreciate that!" and "Finally a real normal kid birthday party without luxury brands."

Separately, Hadid has discussed her co-parenting arrangement with Malik in a Vogue feature earlier this year, saying they plan custody schedules months in advance and support each other with "love, and a feeling of camaraderie" in what she described as a cooperative phase of their partnership. The two have not shared Khai's face publicly, though Hadid has said she doesn't believe posting nothing would be genuine; she wants to balance privacy with keeping fans engaged. Since the couple's split, Hadid has been linked to Bradley Cooper, a relationship reportedly sparked after they met at a kid's party where Khai and Cooper's daughter were guests in October 2023.

Khai's birthday comes amid ongoing public interest in their co-parenting approach; fans will watch for more glimpses of Khai as she grows.