Gigi Hadid & Zayn Malik: The Former One Direction Star Who Assaulted His Daughter's Grandmother
He allegedly grabbed her mother and shoved her into a dresser. He pleaded no contest to four harassment charges. Yet he still got 50/50 custody of their one-year-old daughter.
Key Facts
What Happened
On September 29, 2021, former One Direction singer Zayn Malik was alone at the Pennsylvania home he shared with supermodel Gigi Hadid when Hadid's mother, Yolanda, arrived while Gigi was away. What happened next ended the Hadid-Malik relationship and resulted in criminal charges. According to a police report, Malik allegedly grabbed Yolanda Hadid and shoved her into a dresser. He was also accused of calling Gigi to shout insults and telling her to "defend your partner against your f---ing mother in my house."
Malik was charged with four counts of harassment (originally reported as assault). He pleaded no contest, meaning he did not admit guilt but accepted the consequences. He was sentenced to 360 days of probation (90 days per count), ordered to complete an anger management class and a domestic violence program, and was prohibited from having contact with Yolanda Hadid. The plea shocked many who assumed a physical altercation with a partner's mother would result in more severe consequences.
Despite the criminal charges and conviction, Malik and Hadid reached a custody agreement that gave Malik 50/50 custody of their daughter Khai, born in September 2020. This outcome surprised legal observers who expected the harassment conviction to significantly impact custody. However, in many jurisdictions, courts consider whether the violence was directed at the child and the totality of the parent-child relationship.
In a later interview, Malik explained that he pleaded no contest because fighting the charges would have been more stressful for his family. He described his co-parenting relationship with Hadid as "really good" and said having 50% custody allows him to be the father he wants to be. The case raised important questions about how criminal convictions, particularly for domestic violence against extended family members, should factor into custody determinations.
Legal Breakdown: Domestic Violence and Custody
No Contest Pleas and Their Implications
A no contest (nolo contendere) plea means the defendant does not admit guilt but accepts punishment. Unlike a guilty plea, a no contest plea generally cannot be used against the defendant in subsequent civil proceedings. Malik's choice to plead no contest was strategically significant for potential civil liability and custody negotiations.
Domestic Violence Against Extended Family and Custody
Malik's violence was directed at Hadid's mother, not at Hadid or their daughter. While many states have rebuttable presumptions against custody for domestic violence perpetrators, courts typically weigh whether the violence was directed at or witnessed by the child, the severity of the incident, and the parent's subsequent behavior (completing DV programs, anger management).
Custody for Unmarried Parents After Criminal Charges
Because Hadid and Malik were never married, custody was determined outside the divorce framework. Paternity was established, and custody was negotiated directly. The lack of a marital dissolution proceeding meant the criminal case and custody case were handled separately, potentially allowing for different outcomes than might occur in a divorce court.
What This Means for Your Divorce
- →A criminal conviction, even for domestic violence, does not automatically prevent a parent from obtaining custody. Courts evaluate the totality of circumstances.
- →If your co-parent has been violent, document everything and consult an attorney about how criminal proceedings interact with custody determinations in your state.
- →No contest pleas have strategic advantages in some situations, but they still result in a criminal record and court-ordered consequences.
- →Completing court-ordered programs like anger management and domestic violence education can positively influence custody outcomes and demonstrate commitment to change.
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This article is based on publicly available court records, news reports, and legal analysis. It is provided for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. No attorney-client relationship is created by reading this content.
Divorce laws vary by jurisdiction. Always consult a licensed attorney in your area before making legal decisions.