Bella Hadid, chilling for weeks at the family farm in Bucks country, covers the August 2020 issue of ELLE magazine. Mom-to-be, sister Gigi Hadid captures Bella for the first digital issue of ELLE US.

The overall focus of the August issue is ‘Friends and Family’, as multiple influencers like the Hadid sisters, Ashley Graham and her adorable baby boy, Isaac, captured by her husband, Justin Ervin; and Yara Shahidi posing for her father, Afshin, reflect on our evolving values and life priorities during the pandemic.

Veronique Hyland interviews Bella in ‘Bella Hadid, Live From Quarantine’.

Social Purpose in Bella Hadid’s Social Media Platform

Race relations and a focus on Black Lives Matter are center stage throughout ELLE’s August 2020 issue content. Hyland asked Bella the question:

ELLE: Like many prominent people, you have been using your platform to raise awareness about the Black Lives Matter movement. You recently wrote on Instagram, “I’ve been sitting here listening. Understanding. Educating myself. Making calls to demand justice. Donating. And reaching out to friends just in case they feel hurt or lost this week.” As a public figure, what do you see as your responsibility to younger people who look up to you?

“I have so much responsibility to use my platform for good, especially as I get older,” she told the magazine. “I want young girls and boys to know that it is okay to use your voice and demand justice for what is important to you. I want them to know it’s okay to be empathetic and gentle, but to be strong and speak your truth at the same time.”

Do Black Models Feel Welcome in the Fashion Industry

Bella also addresses the very real question about fashion’s embrace of models of color at a time when we’re seeing more of them than ever.

“I hate that some of my Black friends feel the way they do. Even if they’re sitting front row, they’re not feeling accepted. Our industry is supposed to be about expression and individuality, but the reality is that [many people] still discriminate because of exactly [those differences].”

Bella Hadid on Her Social Media Followers

It’s easy to forget that the Hadid sisters have been actively protesting for years. They were particularly active in 2017, when Trump issued his so-called Muslim ban, refusing visa from seven predominantly Muslim countries.

ELLE: What makes you decide to speak up about a given issue, and do you feel any nervousness about speaking out and possibly alienating your audience? Do you feel that the importance of expressing your beliefs outweighs losing a few followers here and there?

I don’t want any of my followers to feel alienated by my posts, but there are things that I must speak up about. One post can educate a lot of people, and most of the time, what I write resonates with my followers and they realize that they are not alone. I hope people can feel empowered by that. If I am passionate about something, I will talk about it, and talk and talk and talk. For me, it’s not about losing followers or gaining followers, it’s about educating people and giving a platform to the voices that need to be heard