Wondering about Bella Hadid’s boyfriend? You’re far from alone. First came a cropped photo of the supermodel holding hands with a man at the rodeo; then a shot of them embracing while looking away from the camera; and then all those carousels of Hadid on ranches in Texas (a far cry from her normal haunts of New York City or Los Angeles).
Tabloids, including TMZ, quickly surmised that the man in question was rodeo star Adan Banuelos. But Hadid herself remained tight-lipped until Valentine’s Day, when she posted a picture of Banuelos on her Instagram story with the caption “My Valentine.” The following month, she attended the 2024 American Performance Horseman in Arlington, Texas, where she loudly cheered in the crowd for Banuelos; later, the two hugged lovingly in front of the cameras.
So who, exactly, is Banuelos, the man dating one of the most in-demand models in history? Below, find everything you need to know.
Thirty-five-year-old Banuelos is a remarkably successful rodeo star and equestrian. His talent? Cutting—the rodeo competition in which a horse and rider must separate a cow from a herd of cattle. He was inducted into the National Cutting Horse Hall of Fame in 2017 and has made over seven million dollars in winnings.
Last year, Banuelos’s life and career were the subject of a short film called Horse Sense, which noted that his mother had continued to ride until she was seven months pregnant with him. “This has been a passion of mine since before I can remember,” he told W at the film’s premiere. “Without a doubt, there was never anything else that I was going to do.”
The same story noted that Banuelos and Hadid first met at a horse show, where both Banuelos and Joseph Jingoli, Hadid’s stepfather-to-be, were competing. (Jingoli and Hadid’s mother, Yolanda, have been engaged since 2022.)
Just like the Hadids, talent runs in the Banuelos family: his father, Ascencion Banuelos, was the first Mexican-American inducted into the National Cutting Horse Association Hall of Fame.
Banuelos resides in the Fort Worth area, with his horse training facility, Adan Performances Horses, located in nearby Weatherford. In October 2023, TMZ captured Banuelos and Hadid walking around the Fort Worth Stockyards—a historic neighborhood complete with Western outfitters, a Luchesse store, and famous honky-tonk bars. A few months later, in March 2024, it was reported that Hadid had bought a house in Fort Worth herself, and was based there more or less full-time.
Not only does Banuelos ride horses, but he also trains them and their riders. It seems he’s even taught his famous girlfriend: In January 2024, Hadid posted a video of her performance in a cutting event (on a stallion named Tito) to her Instagram. “Never stop trying new things. I feel lucky enough to have the opportunity to keep learning in life,” she wrote.
Although a famous athlete, Banuelos does not have a Wikipedia page. He also does not post personal photos to his Instagram, dedicating it solely to content from his competitions. Bella Hadid’s boyfriend definitely has his own thing going on.
Banuelos shared a video of Hadid on horseback at a cutting competition in December 2024, writing: “Our trip to Jackson, Mississippi was well worth it! Bella rode 3 horses and qualified to 7 different finals, bringing home her first CHAMPIONSHIP buckle! We continue to be proud of her in (and out) of the arena ♥️.” Aww.
