Before the Rhode skincare empire and the paparazzi-filled walks through Beverly Hills, there was just a girl named Hailey Rhode Baldwin living a life that was surprisingly quiet. Honestly, most people assume she was born directly onto a runway or into a tabloid headline. But young Hailey Bieber spent most of her formative years tucked away in suburban New York and Arizona, far from the Hollywood glare her last name might suggest.
Her story isn't the typical "child star" narrative. It’s more of a "homeschooled ballerina who accidentally became a supermodel" kind of vibe.
The Ballet Career That Almost Was
Long before she was the face of Saint Laurent, Hailey’s entire world revolved around point shoes and tight buns. She wasn't just a casual dancer; she was serious. For about 12 years, she trained daily, eventually attending the prestigious American Ballet Theatre school in New York City during her summers.
She lived for the discipline. The structure of ballet—the repetition, the physical toll—is actually what she credits for her work ethic today. But then, the thing every dancer fears happened. A foot injury basically ended her professional dreams. It wasn’t a dramatic, slow-motion fall on stage, but it was enough to make her realize that a career in professional dance wasn't going to happen.
Looking back, it’s kinda wild to think about. If her foot hadn't given out, we might be watching her at the Lincoln Center instead of seeing her on the cover of Vogue.
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Homeschooling and the "No Public School" Rule
One of the most relatable—and slightly isolating—parts of being a young Hailey Bieber was her education. Her parents, Stephen and Kennya Baldwin, were pretty strict about her upbringing. She didn't go to the local high school. In fact, she didn't go to public school at all.
Her parents gave her a bit of an ultimatum: either attend a private Christian school or stay home and be homeschooled. Hailey chose the latter. Why? Because the school they wanted her to attend was far away, and as a teenager, the idea of staying home seemed like the lesser of two evils.
She’s been pretty open lately about what that was like. She felt she missed out on the typical social milestones—like learning how to talk to boys or navigating the cafeteria drama. Most of her socializing happened at her dance classes. Aside from her sister, Alaia, her circle was small and focused. It kept her "normal" for a long time, but it also made her feel like a bit of an outsider once she finally stepped into the spotlight.
That Awkward First Meeting With Justin
We’ve all seen the clip. It’s 2009, and a 12-year-old Hailey is standing backstage at The Today Show with her dad. She has her arms crossed. She looks, quite frankly, like she’d rather be anywhere else on the planet.
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Her dad, Stephen, introduces her to a 15-year-old Justin Bieber, who was just beginning his "Baby" era. Justin flips his hair. Hailey gives a polite, barely-there handshake. There were no sparks. There was no "love at first sight." In her own words, she didn't even think he was that cool at the time. She was a fan of his music—sure—but she wasn't a "Belieber" in the way the rest of the world was.
They didn't become best friends overnight. They were just two kids in the same industry circle whose parents happened to know each other. It took years of run-ins at church and mutual friend groups before they even considered dating.
The Pivot to Modeling
When the ballet dream died, Hailey had to figure out a "Plan B" fast. She was 17 when she signed with Ford Models. Unlike some "nepo babies" who get handed a campaign immediately, she actually had to prove she could work.
She made her runway debut in 2014 for Topshop and Sonia Rykiel. Shortly after, she was shooting for Teen Vogue and American Vogue. It’s important to remember that during those early years, she wasn't "Hailey Bieber." She was the "quiet Baldwin." She spent a lot of time in London and Paris, living in model apartments and doing the grind that most people don't associate with her now.
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Key Early Career Milestones
- 2014: Signed with Ford Models and walked her first major runway.
- 2015: Appeared in her first Ralph Lauren campaign alongside Cody Simpson.
- 2016: Made the jump to IMG Models, which really signaled her transition from "commercial girl" to "high fashion staple."
- 2017: Became the face of L'Oréal Paris.
Faith as a Foundation
Growing up in the Baldwin household meant a heavy emphasis on faith. They were—and are—an Evangelical Christian family. For Hailey, church wasn't just a Sunday morning thing; it was her entire community.
As a young woman in New York, she found her home at Hillsong NYC. This is where she really started to find her own identity outside of her family. It was also where she and Justin reconnected as adults. They shared the same values and the same struggle of trying to be "good" in an industry that often celebrates the opposite.
She has admitted that she felt a lot of pressure to be a "good girl" or a "goody-two-shoes" because of her upbringing. It took her a long time to realize that she didn't have to be perfect to be worthy.
What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception about young Hailey is that she was a "social climber." If you look at the timeline, she was actually incredibly private. She wasn't out at the clubs at 14. She was at home, doing schoolwork and icing her feet after dance.
She didn't even start "working" until she was 17, which is actually late by industry standards. She’s often said that she felt like she grew up "quicker than most" because she started a career so young, but in reality, she had a much more sheltered childhood than her peers in the Kardashian or Jenner circles.
Actionable Insights for Aspiring Creatives
If you’re looking at Hailey’s early journey for inspiration, here are the real takeaways:
- Pivot when necessary. Hailey didn't let the end of her ballet career define her. She took the discipline she learned in the studio and applied it to a completely different industry.
- Focus on the craft, not the fame. She spent years doing smaller catalog work and minor runways before she became a household name. Consistency matters more than a "big break."
- Find your "why." For Hailey, her faith and her family values kept her grounded when the industry got chaotic. Having a non-negotiable foundation is key to longevity.
- Network naturally. She didn't force a relationship with the people she met backstage. She let friendships evolve over years, which eventually led to both personal and professional success.