Red Flags We Can't Ignore In Bella Hadid And Adan Banuelos' Relationship

Supermodel Bella Hadid's relationship with professional horse trainer and noted cowboy Adan Banuelos has all the makings of a classic rom-com. The pair come from wildly different worlds but happened to cross paths at a horse show. The result? A romance straight out of a Hallmark movie. They made their relationship Instagram official with a Valentine's Day post in February 2024 and, the next month, Hadid purchased property in the Fort Worth area, ostensibly to be closer to Banuelos, sealing her commitment in real estate. 

But while the couple's nearly opposite lifestyles have made for a fairy tale courtship, they could be major red flags. So far, Hadid and Banuelos have fast-tracked their relationship. Their enthusiasm is a great sign, but it can obscure their major lifestyle differences. While conventional wisdom says that opposites attract, too many differences can leave a couple disconnected and in conflict. If Hadid and Banuelos hope to make their giddy up love go the distance, they'll need to figure out a way to reconcile their divergent lifestyles.

A relationship that progresses quickly can be a sign a couple is getting dangerously caught up in the whirlwind of romance, without taking time to properly assess their long-term compatibility. Often, jumping quickly into a commitment can mean a person is more excited about a fantasy vision of their partner and relationship than the reality of them, since true understanding and intimacy is best reached over time.

Bella Hadid and Adan Banuelos have been progressing their relationship at a spirited clip, with Hadid reportedly buying property in Baneulos' home state of Texas just one month after announcing the relationship publicly, and six months after the earliest rumors that the pair were linked. The old adage "when you know, you know" might be more fairy tale than reality, as making a big lifestyle commitment with a new partner can place tremendous strain on a relationship that may not yet have a robust foundation in conflict resolution. Of course, there's no one size fits all schedule for making such a move, but a drastic change, particularly one with a financial commitment as entangling as a real estate purchase, is best undertaken after both partner's have taken time to share expectations and goals for the relationship.

While Adan Banuelos is a celebrity within his own professional realm — his website reports he "has already amassed over five million dollars in earnings" — there are a few differences that might create unhealthy power inequities within the relationship. Perhaps most glaringly, supermodel Hadid is more famous than the Banuelos, which could cause professional resentment. A study published in the American Psychological Association (APA) Journal of Personality and Social Psychology shows that men's self-esteem might take a hit when their partners succeed. "This research found evidence that men automatically interpret a partner's success as their own failure, even when they're not in direct competition," said study author Kate Ratliff, according to the APA website.

Fortunately, Banuelos' public support of Hadid, including coaching her burgeoning rodeo career and appearing at her Orabella launch, suggests that he is happy to see her shine. But some partners struggle to manage the insecurity that arises when one half of the couple is succeeding. Hadid also commands an impressive estimated net worth of roughly $25 million, which likely places the couple on unequal financial footing and create tension.

But while Hadid might have the metaphorical "upper hand" is some ways, she's also seven years younger than Banuelos. A multi-year age gap is not inherently problematic, but it could sometimes be a red flag. Large age differences may signal differing levels of emotional maturity — all the more relevant since Hadid has been forthright about mental health struggles that could leave her more emotionally vulnerable.

Though Hadid is no stranger to the equestrian world, Adan Banuelos' rodeo lifestyle in Texas is light years away from her insanely glamorous life. Banuelos appeared on the "Along for the Ride" podcast, sharing how Hadid has integrated into his very different life, reporting the model seemed happy moving into his 5th-wheel trailer. "She did do the 5th wheel, happily," Banuelos revealed. "It was badass". While it can be beneficial for couples to encourage each other to try new things, these lifestyle differences could hint at a karmic relationship, as the opposites that are so attractive during early dating can become incompatibilities over time. Different preferences — or even wildly divergent professions — could cause conflict, or even make it challenging for the pair to spend time together. "Opposites attract but don't burn long," relationship therapist Shadeen Francis told Well+Good. "Because, while it may be fun and hot exploring what can feel like another world, its is more likely to be a temporary romance rather than a long-lasting love."

The couple's current lifestyle suggests that Hadid is making the bulk of the concessions, including purchasing a home in Texas and embracing the rodeo lifestyle. While there's value in flexibility and a willingness to embrace all the new opportunities that a partner presents, too much accommodation can sometimes be the result of people pleasing, and risk a loss of self. If the couple can figure out how to thrive as individuals within their relationship, then their shared love of horses could be the foundation of an exciting future.