Is Bella Hadid actually any good in ‘The Beauty’?
Bella Hadid, the supermodel turned actress, is stirring up buzz with her guest role in Ryan Murphy’s latest FX horror romp, The Beauty. Playing a top-tier catwalker whose flawless features get gruesomely botched by a sinister beauty shot, Hadid steps into the spotlight amid high expectations and her nine-month red carpet hiatus. But as critics and fans dissect her inherently provocative performance—raved about by co-stars Evan Peters and Rebecca Hall—questions linger: Does she deliver the goods, or is this just another pretty face in a twisted tale?
Early buzz from the screening
At the glitzy New York premiere on January 14, where Bella Hadid dazzled in a sheer red Schiaparelli gown, insiders got a peek at the first two episodes of The Beauty. Co-stars like Evan Peters praised her “raw vulnerability”, hinting at a performance that transcends her modeling roots. While full reviews are pending the January 21 FX debut, early whispers suggest Hadid nails the horror of beauty’s dark side, blending supermodel poise with genuine terror.
Diving deeper, Bella Hadid’s role as a botched beauty icon echoes the twisted transformations in Ryan Murphy’s American Horror Story playbook—think coven witches gone wrong. Sources from the MoMA event, as reported by Vogue and People, note her scenes evoke a chilling empathy, drawing on real-world pressures of the fashion world. It’s a bold pivot, proving she’s not just window dressing in this sci-fi nightmare.
Yet, skepticism lingers among fans on X, with some calling her acting debut potentially underwhelming amid high expectations. Still, with the series’ trailer shattering FX view records, per Screen Rant, Bella Hadid’s turn could redefine her career. If she channels that catwalk ferocity into on-screen depth, this might be the role that silences doubters for good.
What co-stars reveal
Bella Hadid’s co-stars aren’t holding back on the praise, with Evan Peters telling E! News her scenes pack a “provocative punch” that elevates the horror elements. Rebecca Hall echoed this, noting Hadid’s ability to convey the terror of beauty’s toll with surprising depth, drawing from her real-life runway experiences to ground the character’s descent into chaos.
Film and TV coverage
Dipping into early viewer sentiments from the MoMA screening, as covered by Vogue, attendees buzzed about Bella Hadid’s transformation from glamorous icon to grotesque victim, calling it a standout amid the series’ body horror twists. This nod to vulnerability suggests she’s tapping into uncharted emotional territory, far beyond her modeling persona.
While full critics’ takes await the FX premiere, these initial reactions position Bella Hadid as a revelation in The Beauty, potentially flipping the script on model-to-actor transitions. If the hype holds, her performance could mark a career-defining moment, blending allure with raw intensity.
Public sentiment on X
Bella Hadid’s performance in The Beauty has sparked mixed vibes on X, with some users dubbing it “underwhelming” based on trailer glimpses, citing her shift from modeling as a tough sell for thriller fans. Yet, others hail her as a “total performer”, praising brief clips that showcase her emotional range and questioning skeptics’ biases.
Diving into the buzz, posts from X highlight Bella Hadid’s ability to channel real-world beauty pressures into her role, echoing sentiments from the MoMA premiere where attendees noted her chilling transformation. This early feedback suggests she’s nailing the horror, even if full episodes haven’t dropped yet.
As the January 21 premiere nears, Bella Hadid’s turn could sway opinions, with viral trailer views fueling hype. If she delivers on the promise of depth amid body horror, it might quiet doubters and affirm her acting chops in Ryan Murphy’s twisted universe.
Critical takes emerging
Bella Hadid’s turn in The Beauty is generating cautious optimism from early screenings, with outlets like Vogue noting her chilling transformation that captures the horror of vanity’s downfall. While full reviews are slated post-January 21 premiere, these glimpses suggest she’s leveraging her supermodel savvy for authentic emotional depth, potentially marking a strong acting pivot.
Delving into news coverage from People and Daily Mail, Bella Hadid’s portrayal of a botched beauty queen resonates with real industry critiques, blending glamour with grotesque decay in a way that echoes Ryan Murphy’s signature style. Insiders praise her for infusing the role with vulnerability, hinting at a performance that could elevate the series beyond its viral trailer hype.
Ultimately, based on premiere reactions and co-star endorsements, Bella Hadid appears to deliver a compelling debut, silencing initial doubts with raw intensity. If the full series sustains this momentum, her work in The Beauty might just prove she’s more than a pretty face in Hollywood’s horror landscape.The verdict awaits
With The Beauty‘s full FX debut looming on January 21, early raves position Bella Hadid as a genuine standout, channeling her supermodel grit into a raw, terrifying descent. While skeptics murmur, the consensus leans yes—she’s acing this horror pivot, potentially launching her as Hollywood’s next scream queen.

