In celebrity relationships, few couples captured the public’s imagination quite like Dua Lipa and Anwar Hadid. Their romance, which spanned over two years from 2019 to 2021, was a perfect blend of pop stardom and high-fashion glamour. The British singer, known for hits like “Don’t Start Now” and “Levitating,” found love with the youngest member of the famous Hadid modeling dynasty, creating a power couple that graced red carpets and social media feeds worldwide.
Their relationship began in the summer of 2019, shortly after Lipa’s split from chef Isaac Carew. What started as a casual connection through mutual friends quickly blossomed into one of the most photographed romances in entertainment. The couple’s stylish appearances at events like the American Music Awards and their intimate social media posts gave fans a their seemingly perfect relationship.
However, by December 2021, the fairy tale had come to an end. Reports emerged that the couple had decided to take a break, with sources citing the pressures of their demanding careers and conflicting schedules. The split left fans wondering what went wrong between two people who appeared so deeply in love. Their breakup marked the end of an era for celebrity couple enthusiasts and sparked countless theories about the real reasons behind their separation.
Understanding the dynamics of their relationship requires examining not just their public appearances, but the behind-the-scenes challenges that ultimately proved insurmountable for the young couple.
The Beginning: How Dua Lipa and Anwar Hadid Met
The origin story of Dua Lipa and Anwar Hadid’s romance reads like a modern fairy tale. According to reports, their connection began through music and mutual friends in the entertainment industry. Anwar, who was pursuing his own musical career alongside modeling, had shown his work to Dua, who was already friends with his sister Gigi Hadid.
The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. In early June 2019, after Lipa’s relationship with Isaac Carew ended, Anwar seized the opportunity to reach out to the pop star for a date. Sources revealed that the pair “went out, had a good time, and liked each other enough to run it back.”
Interestingly, Dua later revealed that she was actually the one who made the first move, sliding into Anwar’s DMs after they met at a barbecue. This bold move by the confident pop star set the tone for their relationship, showing that both were equally invested in pursuing their connection.
Their first public appearance together was at Gigi Hadid’s birthday party in Malibu in June 2019, where they were spotted getting cozy. This was followed by appearances at a London music festival in July, confirming that their summer romance was heating up.
Timeline of Their Relationship: From Summer Fling to Serious Romance
Summer 2019: The Honeymoon Phase
The couple’s relationship moved quickly from casual dating to serious romance. By September 2019, they had made their first public appearance together at the Marc Jacobs show during New York Fashion Week. The fashion world took notice as the stylish pair became front-row fixtures at major events.
Reports emerged that the couple had moved in together after just a few months of dating, with sources telling The Sun that “Dua and Anwar are spending all of their time together, so it just made sense for them.” Their New York apartment became their love nest, providing a base for Dua’s American career while keeping Anwar close to his family.
November 2019: Red Carpet Official
The couple made their official red carpet-debut at the American Music Awards in November 2019. Their coordinated outfits and obvious chemistry made them an instant hit with photographers and fans alike. This appearance marked their transition from a private couple to a public power duo.
2020: Pandemic Brings Them Closer
The COVID-19 pandemic proved to be a blessing in disguise for the couple’s relationship. Forced to quarantine together, Dua and Anwar found themselves with unprecedented time to deepen their connection. In April 2020, Lipa told People magazine: “It’s been really great—easy and fun and chill. We’ve been making the most of this because we got all this extra time that we weren’t expecting to just hang out. It’s been an absolute blast, and we’re learning so much more about each other.”
The couple celebrated their first anniversary in June 2020 and took their relationship to the next level by adopting a puppy named Dexter together. This step showed their commitment to building a life together and their readiness to take on shared responsibilities.
2021: Cracks Begin to Show
Despite their apparent happiness, 2021 brought new challenges. By January, Lipa told Rolling Stone that she felt “very comfortable” in her relationship with Hadid, but sources later revealed that the couple had not been seen together publicly since November 2021.
The Real Reasons Behind Their Split
Conflicting Schedules and Career Demands
The primary reason cited for Dua Lipa and Anwar Hadid’s breakup was their conflicting schedules and the demands of their respective careers. As Lipa prepared for her highly anticipated Future Nostalgia tour and worked on her next album, she found herself traveling between London and Los Angeles for recording sessions. Meanwhile, Anwar remained based in New York, creating a geographical divide that proved difficult to bridge.
A source told The Sun in December 2021: “Traveling so much and being apart is proving tough.” The couple had reportedly not been seen together for nearly two months before their official split was announced.
The Pressure of Public Scrutiny
Living their relationship in the public eye brought its own set of challenges. Every appearance was scrutinized, and every social media post was analyzed for clues about their relationship status. This constant attention may have added pressure to an already strained situation.
Family Dynamics and External Influences
Some fans and media outlets speculated about the role of family dynamics in their breakup, particularly regarding Anwar’s mother, Yolanda Hadid. Social media users suggested that the Hadid family’s involvement in their children’s relationships might have created additional stress. However, these remain unconfirmed theories rather than established facts.
Life After the Breakup: Moving Forward Separately
Dua Lipa’s Focus on Independence
Following the split, Dua Lipa embraced her single status with characteristic confidence. In a June 2022 interview with Vogue, she stated: “The next chapter of my life is about truly being good with being alone.” She threw herself into her work, launching her lifestyle platform Service95 and preparing for her extensive world tour.
A source close to the singer revealed that she was “laser-focused” on her career, stating: “She has been preparing nonstop for her tour and working on her next album.” The source added, “The show is very high-energy and has revitalized Dua and given her a sense of stability after all of her ups and downs with Anwar.”
Anwar Hadid’s Response
Anwar Hadid maintained a lower profile following the breakup, focusing on his modeling career and music. While he didn’t publicly address the split directly, there were reports of him struggling with the end of the relationship. Some social media activity suggested he was not taking the breakup well, though he has since moved forward with his life and career.
The Legacy of Their Relationship
The romance between Dua Lipa and Anwar Hadid represented more than just another celebrity couple. Their relationship showcased the intersection of pop culture and high fashion, with both bringing their unique styles and influences to create memorable public moments.
Their coordinated fashion choices, from casual street style to glamorous red carpet looks, influenced trends and inspired fans worldwide. The couple’s aesthetic became a reference point for young couples looking to emulate their effortless style.
Despite its end, their relationship demonstrated the possibility of finding a genuine connection in the celebrity world, even if external pressures ultimately proved too much to overcome.
