Bella Hadid Is Single: The 'Mystery Cowboy' Is Just a Friend's Brother

The internet's detective work kicked into overdrive this week when eagle-eyed fans spotted Bella Hadid cozying up with an unidentified man, sparking instant speculation about a brand-new romance. But before the rumor mill could spin any further, an insider stepped in to set the record straight.

Who Is Nathan Lacy, Anyway?

After online sleuths identified the so-called "mystery cowboy" as Nathan Lacy, a source speaking to TMZ — and reported on by Just Jared — clarified that there is absolutely nothing romantic going on between the two. Nathan is an artist and fellow horse lover, but more importantly, he is the brother of Bella's close friend Rachael Lacy. The pair were spotted together back in February when Nathan joined Bella in Italy during Milan Fashion Week, which, when you consider that Ralph Lauren sailed into Milan with a Lake Como Spring 2027 show around the same season, made the Italian fashion circuit an especially buzzy place to be. A friend tagging along for a glamorous European adventure? Completely understandable.

A Summer of Rest and Recharge

Far from being swept up in a whirlwind new relationship, Bella is reportedly doing the opposite — slowing down and savoring some much-needed peace. The source shared that she has been spending the summer in Colorado, surrounded by friends and family, soaking up the kind of low-key downtime that is genuinely hard to come by when you live your life in the spotlight. After a stretch of very public personal challenges, a quiet mountain summer sounds like exactly the right prescription.

The Chapter With Adan Banuelos

For those catching up: Bella's last confirmed relationship was with Adan Banuelos, a 36-year-old Texas-based cowboy and professional horse trainer. The two began dating in October 2023, and their shared passion for equestrian life made them a surprisingly endearing couple to follow. By January of this year, however, reports surfaced confirming that the relationship had come to an end. Since then, Bella has kept her personal life largely private — which, honestly, tracks for someone who has been prioritizing her health above all else.

Health, Healing, and Moving Forward

It's worth remembering that Bella's journey over the past couple of years has been about far more than romance. She has been openly navigating the ongoing challenges of her chronic illness, and in a recent post she opened up about the physical and mental "hardships" that come with her condition's flare-ups. If you missed it, her tearful Lyme disease health update was a deeply moving reminder of the resilience she brings to every aspect of her life. Choosing rest, community, and the wide open Colorado outdoors this summer feels very much in line with that healing-forward mindset.

The Takeaway

Bella Hadid is single, she is surrounded by good people, and she is taking care of herself — and that is genuinely a beautiful thing. Not every man in a supermodel's orbit is a love interest, and sometimes a trip to Milan Fashion Week is just a trip to Milan Fashion Week. Here's to Bella enjoying every moment of her Colorado summer, horses included.

Related on Ni4o: Bella Hadid Shares Tearful Lyme Disease Health Update