Chanel Ayan

Last updated
Chanel Ayan
Born (1978-06-07) 7 June 1978 (age 46)
Malaba, Kenya
NationalityKenyan
Occupations
  • Model
  • businesswoman
  • television personality
Years active1996–present
Known for The Real Housewives of Dubai
Spouse
Chris Pillott
​
(m. 1995)​
Relatives Ubah Hassan (cousin)
Modeling information
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Hair colorBlack
Eye colorBrown

Chanel Ayan (formerly Ayan Pillott; 7 June 1978) is a Kenyan-born, Somali supermodel, businesswoman and television personality. She has worked with a number of top designers including Chanel, Tiffany & Co., Cartier, Valentino and Dolce & Gabanna. She is the founder of Ayan Beauty and Ayan Skin, her brand of makeup, alongside makeup artist Toni Malt. Ayan is also known for starring in the Bravo reality series The Real Housewives of Dubai , which she joined in the show's first season. [1]

Contents

Early life

Ayan was born in Malaba, Kenya, a small town along the Kenya-Uganda border. Due to her father's alcoholism, she was raised mostly by her mother, attending school in both Kenya and Uganda as a child. She grew up with five other siblings, with two being named Irfah and Sadik, the two of which, she is very close to. [2]

At the age of 5, both Ayan and her sister Ifrah experienced forced genital mutilation and female circumcision against their will so they would "remain virgins until marriage," a practice that is still very prominent in some parts of Africa, Asia and the Middle East. [3] The mutilation occurred when Ayan's aunt and grandmother brought both her and her sister to a house, where they were tied to a bed and circumcised. [4]

At the age of 14, her father unsuccessfully attempted to sell her into marriage, however, this was prevented by her sister. [5]

Ayan uses her platform to shed light on what she believes is "a barbaric practice." She refers to herself as a "survivor" that was "utterly betrayed by her culture." [6]

Career

At the age of 18, Ayan relocated to São Paulo, Brazil, in order to pursue a career in modelling. [7] Then, shortly after moved to New York City, United States with Elite Models, then finally moved to Dubai, United Arab Emirates in 2005. [8]

Ayan has modelled for several fashion houses such as Chanel, Dior, Moschino, Cartier, Dolce & Gabbana, Tiffany & Co., Valentino, and Louis Vuitton., [9] while also having worked in an advertising campaign for Emirates and the Dubai Tourism Company, becoming the first black person to do so. [8] She has been featured on the cover of three versions of Vogue: Vogue Arabia, American Vogue and Vogue Italia.[ citation needed ] She has also appeared the covers of Forbes, Elle magazine and Harper's Bazaar. She also made history by being the first ever black supermodel to feature on the cover of a Dubai-based magazine. [10] Ayan is also the "muse" for Amato Couture, being dressed in outfits made for artists such as Beyoncé, Lady Gaga and Nicki Minaj. [11]

In 2021, she became head of runway from Miss Universe UAE. [12]

In 2022, Ayan was announced to be part of the first season of The Real Housewives of Dubai along with Nina Ali, Caroline Brooks, Dr. Sara Al Madani, Lesa Milan and Caroline Stanbury, with its premiere taking place on June 1, 2022. [13] After the success of the shows first season, Ayan launched her makeup brand AYAN Beauty alongside her makeup artist Toni Malt. [14]

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNotes
2022–present The Real Housewives of Dubai HerselfMain cast
2022 Watch What Happens Live! HerselfGuest, 4 episodes
2023 The Real Housewives of New Jersey HerselfGuest, S13 E16: "Teresa Gets Married"
2025 The Traitors Herself Season 3, Contestant

Personal life

While in Brazil, she met her husband Chris Pillott, from Idaho, United States, when she was 17. The pair got married in a private ceremony in Brazil. [15] Together they have a son, born in 2008, named Taj Salves. [16]

In an interview with Vanguard, Ayan changed her name from "Ayan Pillott" to "Chanel Ayan" when she entered the modelling industry. This name was chosen after being inspired by the true story of Chanel, called Coco Before Chanel, feeling that she connected with different aspects of Coco Chanel's life, like how her father lived in the same town, without her knowledge or how she was raised in an orphanage, because her father moved on, forgetting about her. [8]

She is a cousin of fellow model Ubah Hassan, who is one of the stars of The Real Housewives of New York City . [17]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waris Dirie</span> Somali model, author, actress, and activist (born 1965)

Waris Dirie is a Somali model, author, actress and human rights activist in the fight against female genital mutilation (FGM). From 1997 to 2003, she was a UN special ambassador against FGM. In 2002 she founded her own organization in Vienna, the Desert Flower Foundation. She has won numerous awards recognizing her work on eradicating FGM, including the Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur (2007).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shalom Harlow</span> Israeli model and actress (born 1973)

Shalom Harlow is a Israeli model and actress. She began her career in the early 1990s and by the end of the decade was at supermodel status. In 2007, Forbes listed her as thirteenth in the list of the World's Top-Earning Supermodels. She has also appeared in films such as In & Out (1997) and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003) and hosted MTV's House of Style alongside fellow model Amber Valletta.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenya Moore</span> American actress, author, and entrepreneur

Kenya Summer Moore is an American television personality and beauty pageant titleholder who won Miss USA 1993. She was a former main cast member on the reality TV series, The Real Housewives of Atlanta, from 2012 to 2023.

Karen Mulder is a Dutch fashion model. She is known for her work with Versace, Dior, and Chanel during the 1980s and 1990s. Mulder was featured on the cover of Vogue and was also a Victoria's Secret model, making her one of the original "Angels" and the first from both the brand and from her country. In the early 2000s, she began to speak out about the dark side of the modeling industry and the dangers faced by underage girls and young women.

Kristen McMenamy is an American model known for her unconventional, androgynous appearance. Originally a long-haired redhead, she reinvented her look in the early 1990s by having her hair cut short and dyed black, and her eyebrows shaved off. Her career was boosted by the advent of the grunge fashion trend.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chanel Iman</span> American model

Chanel Iman Robinson is an American model who has worked as a Victoria's Secret Angel. Vogue Paris declared her as one of the top 30 models of the 2000s.

The Real Housewives is an American reality television franchise that began on March 21, 2006, with The Real Housewives of Orange County. Each installment of the franchise documents the personal and professional lives of a group of affluent women residing in a certain city or geographic region. Eleven different series have been produced in the United States, and there are 21 international adaptations in addition. The American series is broadcast on Bravo; previously the Miami installment aired for a time on Peacock.

<i>The Real Housewives of New York City</i> New York-based reality television series in the United States

The Real Housewives of New York City, abbreviated RHONY, is an American reality television series that premiered on Bravo on March 4, 2008. Developed as the second installment of The Real Housewives franchise, it has aired fifteen seasons and focuses on the personal and professional lives of several women residing in New York City.

Ubah Ali Hassan is a Somali-Canadian model, businesswoman, and television personality. She has worked with a number of top designers including Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Rachel Roy, and Oscar de la Renta. She is the founder and CEO of Ubah Hot, her own personal brand of hot sauce. Hassan is also known for starring in the Bravo reality series The Real Housewives of New York City, which she joined in the show's fourteenth season. In addition, she is involved in philanthropic work.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cynthia Bailey</span> American model, reality television star, and actress

Cynthia Denise Bailey is an American model, reality television personality, and actress. Born and raised in Alabama, she moved to New York City at the age of 18 to pursue a modeling career. There, she signed a five-year contract with Wilhelmina Models, and subsequently appeared as a model in various magazines and advertising campaigns. She worked as a runway model in Paris and Milan.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Imaan Hammam</span> Dutch fashion model (born 1996)

Imaan Hammam is a Dutch fashion model. As of 2024, she has appeared on the cover of Vogue 22 times, four times on the American edition. She currently ranks on models.com's "Industry Icons" and was ranked on its "Top Sexiest Models" lists. As of 2021, she has appeared on The Big Four covers of Vogue. Hammam is one of the most in-demand and one of the highest-paid models of her generation and currently ranks under ''Money'' and ''Supers'' on models.com.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Soo Joo Park</span> Korean American model (born 1986)

Soo Joo Park is an American fashion model and musician. She became the first Asian-American woman to be a L'Oréal spokesmodel. She is also known for her work with Chanel and is a Global Ambassador for the brand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anok Yai</span> African fashion model

Anok Yai is an American fashion model. She is the first model of South Sudanese descent and the second black supermodel after Naomi Campbell to open a Prada show. She has made several appearances on i-D and international Vogue covers, including American Vogue three times. Models.com ranks her as one of the "New Supers" of this generation, and since 2023, she was chosen by both the industry and fans as "Model of the Year" and USA Top Model 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phaedra Parks</span> American television personality and attorney

Phaedra Creonta Parks is an American television personality, attorney, activist, businesswoman, author, actress, and mortician.

<i>The Real Housewives of Dubai</i> Dubai-based reality television series in the United Arab Emirates

The Real Housewives of Dubai, abbreviated RHODubai, is an American reality television that premiered on Bravo since June 1, 2022. Developed as the eleventh installment of The Real Housewives franchise, it has aired one season and focuses on the personal and professional lives of several women living in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caroline Stanbury</span> British television personality

Caroline Alice Stanbury is a British businesswoman and reality television personality. She is best known for appearing as an original main cast member on Bravo's reality television series Ladies of London from 2014 until 2017 and The Real Housewives of Dubai since its premiere in 2022.

<i>The Real Housewives of Dubai</i> season 1 Season of television series

The first season of The Real Housewives of Dubai, an American reality television series, is broadcast on Bravo. It premiered on June 1, 2022, and was primarily filmed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The season was produced by Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh, Lauren Eskelin, Jamie Jakimo, Brandon Panaligan, Glenda N. Cox, Chelsey Stephens, Giovanni Wilson and Andy Cohen.

<i>The Real Housewives of Dubai</i> season 2 Season of television series

The second season of The Real Housewives of Dubai, an American reality television series, is broadcast on Bravo. It premiered on June 2, 2024, and was primarily filmed in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The season was produced by Steven Weinstock, Glenda Hersh, Lauren Eskelin, Jamie Jakimo, Brandon Panaligan, Glenda N. Cox, Chelsey Stephens, Giovanni Wilson and Andy Cohen.

References

  1. ↑ "'Real Housewives of Dubai': Everything to Know About Bravo's 1st International Series in the Franchise". 17 May 2022.
  2. ↑ Pandey, Bibek (March 20, 2023). "All We Know About RHODubai Star Chanel Ayan Family". The Family Nation. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  3. ↑ Malec, Brett (August 18, 2022). "RHODubai's Chanel Ayan Opens Up About Surviving Forced Genital Mutilation at Age 5". E! News. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  4. ↑ Ushi, Nalede. "'Real Housewives of Dubai' star Chanel Ayan says she survived female genital mutilation at 5". USA Today. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  5. ↑ Brody, Lanae. "'RHODubai' Star Chanel Ayan Tearfully Reveals She Was Circumcised at Age 5: 'I'm Starting to Heal'". People. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  6. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (August 19, 2022). "Chanel Ayan Reflects on the Traumatic Events of Her Childhood: "I'm a Survivor"". Bravo TV. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  7. ↑ Tempera, Jacqueline (May 31, 2022). "Chanel Ayan Reflects on the Traumatic Events of Her Childhood: "I'm a Survivor"". Women's Health. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 Onikoyi, Ayo (September 30, 2019). "Chanel Ayan: Middle East's number one black model unscripted". Vanguard. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  9. ↑ Widjojo, Conchita (June 1, 2022). "Chanel Ayan of 'The Real Housewives of Dubai' on Her 'Big' Personality and Style". WWD. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  10. ↑ Sen, Sushmeta (May 27, 2022). "Who is Chanel Ayan from RHODubai? Meet the first black supermodel to feature in Dubai magazine". SK Pop. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  11. ↑ Muia, Sylvia (June 28, 2022). "Kenyan-born model stealing the show in 'Real Housewives of Dubai'". Nation. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  12. ↑ Pearson, Emma (October 15, 2021). "Miss Universe UAE audition: glamour, joy and heartbreak". National News. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  13. ↑ Team TV Deets (1 November 2021). "'Real Housewives Of Dubai' Cast Revealed: Meet The Rumoured Housewives". TV Deets. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  14. ↑ Harano, Lauren (June 1, 2022). "Chanel Ayan Opens Up About Being Dubai's First Black Supermodel". Bravo TV. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  15. ↑ Bajracharya, Sapana (April 3, 2022). "Who Is Chanel Ayan Husband Luca Salves? Everything To Know About The Real Housewives Cast". Pimiso. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  16. ↑ Raga, Pippa (July 13, 2022). "'RHODubai' Star Chanel Ayan's Son Is Following in Her Modeling Footsteps". Distractify. Retrieved September 24, 2023.
  17. ↑ Huamani, Kaitlyn (July 16, 2023). "RHONY's Ubah Hassan Reveals Advice She Received from Cousin and 'RHODubai' Housewife Chanel Ayan (Exclusive)". People . Archived from the original on July 16, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.