What Does a Baddie Do on Valentine's Day?

Everything is romantic when you’re you know you're worth.

As Hugh Grant famously said in arguably the most celebrated romcom ever, “Love actually is… all around.” And maybe that’s true. But in today’s world, with so much tension and division (not to mention the ongoing disconnect between men and women), finding a genuine “match” feels harder than ever, even with a seemingly endless supply of dating apps.

But in 2026, do we need to search for love, when we already contain so much love for ourselves?

As the most love-filled day of the year approaches, I asked six of the baddest baddies I know, what they’re doing for Valentine’s Day, what makes them a baddie, and what being a baddie really means to them.

WHAT’S YOUR PROFESSION? A full-time insatiable celebrity icon.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A BADDIE IN 2026? It’s twenty-twenty sex need I say more…?

WHY ARE YOU A BADDIE? I’m a doll.

HOW DOES IT FEEL SERVING FACE ALL THE TIME? It’s like Stockholm syndrome with the patriarchy.

WHAT’S THE BEST DATE YOU’VE EVER BEEN ON? When I take myself to the V&A.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY? Watching the roster resurrect one by one…

WHAT’S YOUR PROFESSION? Part time fashion icon, part time cry baby.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A BADDIE IN 2026? Baddies in 2026 are characterised by two key traits. First, they’re unashamedly themselves, and so they’re not afraid to indulge in experimentation, or their curiosities. Secondly, they care about things going on in the world, are allies to the marginalised, and work to uplift the underrepresented. A true baddie wants world peace!

WHY ARE YOU A BADDIE? I’m out here doing me. I dress the way I want to, and do my makeup the way I like. I’m also someone that has opinions and cares about things in the wider world.

HOW DOES IT FEEL SERVING FACE ALL THE TIME? I feel like a diva. Sometimes I think of younger me and what her reaction would be if she saw us now. She’d be shook to her core, so I know I’m slaying.

WHAT’S THE BEST DATE YOU’VE EVER BEEN ON? Probably one of the ones I made up in my head, with a man that doesn’t exist.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY? I’m going to get my glam on, put on a cute outfit, take myself out for a wander and eat some yummy food.

WHAT’S YOUR PROFESSION? Content creator and artist.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A BADDIE IN 2026? Prioritising yourself over anyone, especially over men. Learning to decentre men as much as possible. Strengthening your relationship with yourself and nurturing your relationships with those closest to you.

WHY ARE YOU A BADDIE? Because I know my worth, love myself and just wanna have fun xoxo

HOW DOES IT FEEL SERVING FACE ALL THE TIME? (I definitely don’t lol)

WHAT’S THE BEST DATE YOU’VE EVER BEEN ON? Probably the first date with one of my ex’s where we didn’t leave each others side for nearly three days.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY? I’ve booked a hot mat pilates class - it’s true single-girl self love at its finest! I’m also going to a first date in the evening, which I think is a big slay because dating someone new on Valentine’s Day is almost so cringe, it’s not cringe anymore - and makes the date more fun.

WHAT’S YOUR PROFESSION? I work in social media at your favourite-ever digital magazine and because I’m a stereotypical creative, I also recently started a girls-first creative agency with my best friend called “Girlstrip”.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A BADDIE IN 2026? A baddie is a person who cooks everything on high to save time, tries her best and gets shit done.

HOW DOES IT FEEL SERVING FACE ALL THE TIME? I don’t know life any other way, unfortunately. Serving face really is a do or die affair.

WHAT’S THE BEST DATE YOU’VE EVER BEEN ON? I dated this guy last year who always thought two steps ahead of me. He picked out everything before I even had a second to think about it. It all felt so tailored to me and my needs. It meant I never had to sweat the small stuff. Bro was so thoughtful, I lowkey wanted to live in his pocket. He kinda got me.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY? Fuck all. I usually take myself to the cinema, so I’ll probably do that and get something to eat

WHAT’S YOUR PROFESSION? I’m a creative director and stylist working across fashion Gen-Z brands, direct social-first content to high-res campaigns and PR activations.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A BADDIE IN 2026? It’s about resilience—showing up for your goals even when you’re exhausted.

It’s tough out here, and it’s only getting tougher. Being a baddie now takes top-level discipline. You have to want it badly enough to do the work even when you’re tired. You can be exhausted but still show up.

WHY ARE YOU A BADDIE? Because of my mindset. I have strong discipline and believe in authenticity. I care about having a point of view. It’s the combination of discipline, personality, confidence, and a slightly quirky, playful approach to fashion and attitude.

HOW DOES IT FEEL SERVING FACE ALL THE TIME? Unrealistic. Social media pushes this idea that if you’re a baddie, you have to be tea all the time, but that’s not realistic.

WHAT’S THE BEST DATE YOU’VE EVER BEEN ON? I haven’t had my best date yet. I’m in my #singleera for real.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY? I’ll be working becauyse when you’re seriously locked in, sometimes Valentine’s Day is just a work day.

WHAT’S YOUR PROFESSION? I’m a fashion designer, writer and brand strategist

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE A BADDIE IN 2026? Being a baddie in 2026 is recognising what you actually want, not what you think you want.

This year, I’m taking a creative sabbatical and exploring new paths, including a fashion film residency in Italy. I’m ready for my dolce vita era.

WHY ARE YOU A BADDIE? Because I’m still here! I started a fashion brand in my early 20s, went all in, burned out, took financial hits, got my heart broken twice, spiraled through a few identity crises—and somehow came out this year clearer on what I actually want - that’s the baddest thing about me, I always come back smarter.

HOW DOES IT FEEL SERVING FACE ALL THE TIME? I struggle to feel hot in winter, but I’ve learned the key is staying true to my style and actually getting dressed most days.

WHAT’S THE BEST DATE YOU’VE EVER BEEN ON? My favourite dates are those electric first ones. You start as strangers, and then somewhere in the middle there’s that shift when you realise this person might actually matter. Admittedly, they’re usually intense experiences, but I can’t deny how much I’ve loved those first dates - I can deal with the drama later.

WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR VALENTINE’S DAY? I’m going for a Galentine’s dinner with my friend Miriam - an amazing screenwriter/director. Valentine’s Day is always framed as celebrating romantic love, but the older I get, the more I realise friendship is the relationship that holds everything else up. It’s the love that shows up consistently, through every era, every heartbreak, and every reinvention.