Chanel Ayan
Born
Ayan Pillott

(1978-06-07) 7 June 1978
Malaba, Kenya
NationalityKenyan
Occupations
  • Model
  • businesswoman
  • television personality
Years active1996–present
Known forThe Real Housewives of Dubai
Spouse
Luca Salves
​
(m. 1995)​
RelativesUbah Hassan (cousin)
Modeling information
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Hair colorBlack
Eye colorBrown

Chanel Ayan (born Ayan Pillott; 7 June 1978) is a Kenyan-born, Somali and Ethiopian 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]

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. 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

Year Title Role Notes
2022–present The Real Housewives of Dubai Herself Main cast
2022 Watch What Happens Live Herself Guest, 4 episodes
2023 The Real Housewives of New Jersey Herself Guest, S13 E16: "Teresa Gets Married"

Personal life

While in Brazil, she met her husband Lucas Salves, 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]

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.
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