Hana Cross is in full model mode. The Yorkshire-born, Cotswolds-raised fashion figure is preparing to fly to Los Angeles for work – she’ll be based in the city for the next few months – and is excited about beginning a new era.
Before she jets off, HELLO! catches up with her for an exclusive photoshoot. Hana arrives in style at the grand headquarters of Trinity House – a charity dedicated to safeguarding seafarers. The organisation’s Grade I-listed building is renowned for its historic, luxurious rooms overlooking the Tower of London.
On set, Hana, 28, who has modelled for the likes of Valentino and Missoni, is assured and instinctive, with a clear sense of what works for her and what doesn’t.
It’s a quiet confidence that belies the intensity of her early years in the spotlight. Still very young, she found herself thrust into public view during her nine-month relationship with Brooklyn Beckham, becoming an unexpected fixture in the Beckham family’s orbit before the couple split up in 2019.
Although she has long chosen to maintain a dignified silence on her past romance with Brooklyn, the model has agreed to put some rumours to rest once and for all.
She found herself pulled back into the drama after Brooklyn criticised his family in a series of explosive Instagram posts in January, when the aspiring chef scolded ‘Brand Beckham’ for valuing public promotion and endorsements “above all else” and stated that he did not wish to reconcile with his family.
Recently, there have been speculative reports that Hana was encouraged to sign a non-disclosure agreement by Sir David and Lady Beckham, as well as being approached to contribute to a “tell-all” book about the family – both of which she denies.
© Ekin Can Bayrakdar
© Ekin Can Bayrakdar
Here, she opens up about the pressure of being in the spotlight, how she stays grounded and what she’s most looking forward to in her next chapter.
Hana, in light of the news that brought you back into the conversation surrounding the Beckhams, how are you feeling now?
“It’s a tricky one for me. Since we broke up, which was many years ago now, there’s been a lot of press and a lot of talk. I haven’t really spoken out about Brooklyn or my time with the family since then; I had that chapter in my life and wanted to move on from it.“But with the constant press that comes out, and with my name always being linked back into it, it’s hard not to be mentally drawn back into that part of my life, especially with all this feud stuff coming out. It’s hard because I don’t look back on that as a fond time, on reflection.“I want to say, too, that I’ve never been pressured or received any warning from them not to speak out about it or say anything about the relationship. After it happened, I just wanted to move on and make my own life and my own name for myself.“This whole thing that’s happened, with Brooklyn coming out and writing the Instagram Stories and his statement – it was a bit shocking to me that he did that. It was a surprise. I guess it shocked his family, too… but it summed up a lot of my own experiences as well and the way that their family as a brand does act.“But then, nobody knows what’s going on behind closed doors. But I do think it’s sad that everything had to be put out there on his side, so openly and publicly.”
How was your experience with the family, and do you hope that they can reconcile?
“My time with the family caused me a lot of anxiety, in all honesty. There were a lot of warning signs and things that happened during the relationship that, in hindsight, should have made me think and maybe end the relationship or walk away from it a lot sooner than I did.
“But I was only 20, 21 when we dated, and I had just started modelling, and I came from living on a farm to moving to London and being thrown into a relationship like that. It’s hard to know what’s best to do in that situation. No one really knew, and I didn’t, really. It wasn’t something that I was super-open about, so advice from outside was hard to take.
“In terms of reconciling, I hope that they do, purely because they’re a family and I think family is extremely important. I’m sure that whatever happens can be healed over time. That’s all I can really say on that.”
Have you been in touch with Brooklyn recently?
“No, not for a while. I’ve seen his brothers at Fashion Week events and would share an occasional ‘hi’. We move in similar circles, so it’s hard not to run into people, but no, I haven’t seen him in a while.”
With everything that’s been going on, how do you stay grounded?
“Nothing grounds me more than my horses; riding horses is my happiest place. It always has been, since I was a baby. That’s not for everyone and not everyone has the opportunity to do that, but being outside in nature and fresh air and taking time away from my phone is always my preference for getting back to reality.
“Then when I’m in London, it’s Pilates and matchas with my friends to stay present and de-stress. Those are my go-tos.”
How do you handle the pressure of being in the spotlight in the social-media age?
“The Instagram anxiety is real. I definitely suffer from it myself, and honestly, it’s not just models – a lot of my friends who aren’t in the industry also suffer from Instagram anxiety. Over the years, I’ve managed to tune out a lot of it, but every time I’m posting a story, I’m overthinking it.
“People online are brutal and harsh, and it’s one of those catch-22 things where if you’re choosing to be online and putting yourself out there and wanting it to be a career, unfortunately, that does come with the territory. But if you’re posting and doing what you want and you love it, just hit the block button and keep going.”
What advice would you give to someone starting out in the fashion industry or in the public eye?
“What I usually say is that it’s not easy. You need to have a thick skin and be prepared for knockbacks and criticisms from people and agencies. It’s changed dramatically since I started out when I was about 18; the social-media impact on the modelling industry has been massive.
“The world of influencers has changed a lot of the ways in which brands operate. I struggle to keep up with it myself, so it’s tough for anyone looking to make a career out of it. But if it’s something that you really want to do and you have a passion for it, just go for it.”
When it comes to style, is there one rule you live by?
“Being authentic and having individuality. There are a lot of trends that everyone sees online, and it’s great if you can take inspiration from other people’s style, but having individuality is super-important. You can incorporate that in your own style: I usually do that by mixing my designer and my high-street and my vintage all in one.”
You grew up in the Cotswolds; what does it mean to you and how do you feel about celebrities flocking there?
“It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever been and I can see why people are wanting to move there. With the close proximity to London, it’s a hotspot for celebs and the sort of off-grid living where there’s no paparazzi or public gaze.
“I have a lot of friends who still live there, and I think the locals probably prefer properties to be lived in and supporting the local economy, as I know a lot of these celebs have them as weekend residences. When I get older, I’m hoping to settle there and get back to my farm-girl roots and my horses.”
What are you most looking forward to, career-wise?
“In terms of modelling, I’m planning on spending more time in the US, so that’s exciting for me. But in terms of my own plans, I’ve got my own project under way. It’s to do with combining my love of fashion and horses and Western lifestyle, though I can’t say much about it yet, just because it’s just starting out.
“I love modelling and travelling, but I have a separate passion for fashion. As I get older, too, I’m wanting to build something of my own, so I want to build that this year.”
Finally, do you have any life lessons that you can share?
“It’s important to be grateful for all the opportunities you get. And just be yourself. It’s very easy, in this modelling world, to try to be like everyone else and fit in. But there’s beauty in individuality, and trusting your gut is usually right.
“Just put yourself out there and try something new or do something you wouldn’t usually do. I did skydiving recently; that was the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done and I had a major fear of heights. Honestly, I’m never doing that again!”
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