They were the original “it” couple of the Instagram era. Before the TikTok houses and the high-fashion dynasties took over our feeds, Cody Simpson and Gigi Hadid were the blueprint.
Honestly, it feels like a lifetime ago. Back in 2013, Cody was the Australian “surfie” pop star with the blonde quiff, and Gigi was just starting to transition from “Real Housewives daughter” to the runway titan we know today. They were young, incredibly tanned, and seemingly inseparable. But then, as quickly as they became the face of Malibu cool, they were over.
Why?
It wasn't some dramatic, scandalous cheating story. It wasn't a "bad blood" situation (though Gigi did eventually star in that Taylor Swift video). It was something much more mundane and, frankly, a bit more relatable: the crushing weight of being famous before you've even figured out who you are.
The Surfboard Era: How Cody Simpson and Gigi Hadid Started
It all began with a Guess ad. Seriously.
Cody Simpson has gone on record saying he first spotted Gigi in a Guess store window. He was 16. She was 18. Talk about a Hollywood meet-cute. Through a mutual friend, he managed to get an introduction, and they hit it off immediately.
For a while, they actually kept it on the down-low. Imagine that in today's world. Eventually, Cody decided to lean into the romance by casting Gigi in his "Surfboard" music video. If you watch it now, the chemistry is pretty undeniable. It wasn't just for the cameras; they were genuinely head-over-heels.
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They spent two years as the king and queen of young Hollywood. They traveled to Dubai with Selena Gomez and Kendall Jenner. They did high-fashion shoots for Mario Testino. They were the couple every teen wanted to be. But behind the scenes, the cracks were starting to show—mostly because the world wouldn't stop watching them.
Why Did They Break Up? (Twice)
It’s easy to forget that Cody Simpson and Gigi Hadid actually split twice. The first time was in May 2014. The official reason? Busy schedules. The unofficial reason? Cody was 17 and feeling the pressure.
- The long-distance struggle: Gigi was in New York building her modeling empire. Cody was in LA or on tour.
- The "flirting" rumors: During Cody’s stint on Dancing with the Stars, people kept trying to link him to his partner, Witney Carson.
- The age gap: It was only two years, but at 17 and 19, that feels like a decade in terms of maturity and life goals.
They got back together, obviously. You don't just walk away from that kind of "puppy love" the first time it gets hard. But the second breakup in May 2015 was the real deal.
The Paparazzi Problem
Cody has been incredibly open about this in recent years. In a 2022 interview, he admitted that the "highly publicized" nature of the relationship made him deeply uncomfortable.
He hated the paparazzi. He hated that every dinner date was a photo op. He felt like he was "straying away" from his actual self just to fit into the Hollywood mold. While Gigi seemed to navigate the spotlight with a natural grace, Cody wanted to retreat.
"I love my ex-girlfriend, I always will. It was an amicable, mutual decision... but the highly publicized thing made me uncomfortable." — Cody Simpson, DuJour.
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Gigi’s rep at the time put out a classic PR statement about them "growing on their own paths," but the truth was simpler. They were two ambitious kids who loved each other but couldn't survive the circus.
Where Are They Now in 2026?
It’s been over a decade since they called it quits, and their lives couldn't look more different.
Gigi Hadid is, well, Gigi Hadid. She’s a mother now. She’s navigated high-profile relationships with Zayn Malik and Leonardo DiCaprio. In early 2026, she’s still making headlines—not for her boyfriends, but for her "bixie" hair transformations and her continued dominance in the fashion world. She’s turned into a seasoned pro who knows exactly how to handle the media attention that once spooked Cody.
Cody’s journey has been a wilder ride. He didn't just stay in pop music. He pivoted to competitive swimming, nearly making the Australian Olympic team before retiring from the pool in 2024.
Now, in 2026, Cody is having a major "full circle" moment. He’s recently returned to Los Angeles to sign a new record deal and is starring in musical theater productions like Guys and Dolls. He’s dating fellow swimmer Emma McKeon, and by all accounts, he’s found the "low-key" life he was craving back in 2015.
Was there ever any "Bad Blood"?
Honestly, no. That’s the most refreshing part of the Cody Simpson and Gigi Hadid story.
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Even after the split, Gigi wrote on Twitter (now X) that she "loves Cody to death." They’ve remained supportive of each other from a distance. When Cody started his swimming career, Gigi was one of the many people cheering him on. There were no messy "diss tracks" or shady Instagram captions.
It was just a case of right person, wrong time.
What We Can Learn From the Simpson-Hadid Split
If you're looking for a takeaway from this Hollywood throwback, it's about the importance of protecting your own identity within a relationship.
Cody felt he was losing himself. He chose his own peace of mind over a "power couple" status. That’s a move many adults struggle to make, let alone an 18-year-old in the middle of a career peak.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the "Surfboard" music video: It’s a literal time capsule of 2014 aesthetics.
- Follow Cody’s 2026 music comeback: He’s officially back in the studio as of this year.
- Check out Gigi’s latest Maybelline campaigns: She’s currently sporting a blunt black bob that is 180 degrees away from her "Cody era" beach waves.
The story of Cody and Gigi serves as a reminder that sometimes, "breaking up to focus on yourself" isn't just a PR line—it’s a survival tactic. They both seem a lot happier for it today.