The MENA Diaspora’s Rising Stars

The Middle East’s hottest international stars are a showcase of talent and diversity. The whole region is diverse and contains a mix of languages, dialects, religions, skin, and passports; with this diversity comes unimaginable creativity, ingenuity and much more to them than meets the eye. Regardless of their place of birth these international superstars are proud of their MENA roots and helping to empower the next generation of Middle Easter influencers. Here are five MENA stars to keep on your radar.

Huda Kattan (Iraqi-American Owner of Huda Beauty)

There is a new generation of celebrity and this Middle Eastern beauty mogul has taken the world by storm. The true self-made billionaire Huda Kattan’s empire beauty is valued at over 1.2 billion dollars and this 35-year-old is reaching for the top. In an interview with Rachel Strugatz, Kattan said, “We don’t want to be just a big brand. We want to be the biggest brand,” says Kattan. “We want to be like the next Estée Lauder [Companies]. I know that’s a bold statement, but we do.” Growing up in Tennessee, Huda is Iraqi-American and now runs her company, Huda Beauty, out of Dubai. She is one of Instagram’s highest-paid influencers has 35 million followers and counting. Breaking the mold, Huda attended the University of Michigan at Dearborn and worked in finance post-graduation. Deciding she needed a more creative outlet, she used social media to build a cult-like-following and a cosmetics empire. Receiving a thousand, yes one thousand, products a month to review Huda is the one to turn to keep you up-to-date on the newest beauty trends.

The cast of Shahs of Sunset (Persian-American Reality Television Stars)

Think Keeping Up with the Kardashians and add more drama and gold and you’ve got Bravo’s Shahs of Sunset! This reality series follows the lives of Persian-Americans as they traverse life and love in the city of Los Angeles. Jokingly referred to as Tehrangeles or “Little Persia” of its high Iranian population; Reza, Golnessa “GG”, Mercedes, Mike, and their friends and families show the world what it is like to be the most popular Persians in America. While of course giving viewers the fun they expect from reality television the show also hits home on some difficult topics including immigration, interracial relationships, religion, and the Persian diaspora. If you haven’t been a die-hard fan since day one, it is time to binge-watch before Season 8 starts.

Belly (Palestinian-Canadian Rapper)

Born in Jenin, Palestine, Ahmad Balshe grew up in Canada’s capital city. Escaping the violence of his home in the Middle East led him to a life of creativity halfway across the world in Ottawa. Now, Ahmad, better known by his stage name Belly is a Canadian rapper, singer, songwriter, and record producer. His journey was long and not an overnight success story, but he officially broke out mainstream in the last few years after signing with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation music label. True to his roots, Belly is a politically charged and proud to be Middle Eastern. Many of his lyrics discuss Islamophobia, xenophobia, and the problems in the region post 9/11. Honored with prestigious Canadian awards including a SOCAN award, a Juno Award, and three Much Music Video Awards Belly’ star is on the rise.

Amal Clooney (Lebanese-British Lawyer)

The beautiful wife of American actor George Clooney is more than arm candy for her husband. Lebanese-British lawyer, activist, and humanitarian, Amal Ramzi Alamuddin Clooney is turning heads everywhere from the red carpet to the United Nations. Born in Beirut but raised in Europe, Amal has had an incredible career thus far. She is known to have taken charge of many high profile cases—including the defense of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko, Muammar al-Qaddafi’s intelligence chief Abdullah al-Senussi, and WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Julian Assange. More than just a pretty face, Amal is socially and politically active and an advocate for refugees like herself. In Toronto last year she told a sold-out crowd, “I am a refugee…if I had not had a hand extended to me by the UK government when my family was escaping the war in Lebanon, I wouldn’t have been able to grow up in a safe environment, get the education I have, or do any of the things that I have done. I am so grateful to have been able to enter a country that showed compassion to me. I wish that were happening in more places around the world.”

Mena Massoud (Egyptian-Canadian Actor)

 Magic carpets, genies, pet tigers, and gold palaces aside, Egyptian-Canadian actor Mena Massoud captured the world’s heart with his performance in the Disney live-action remake of Aladdin. If this was your first time seeing Massoud on the big screen that’s because this young star is new to the acting scene; playing everyone’s favorite fictional thief was only his second big role. The twenty-seven-year-old was born in Cairo and raised in Canada since the age of three. Like most Egyptian kids he too felt the pressure to be a doctor, lawyer, or engineer but instead took to acting; growing up acting in school plays and eventually studying film and acting at Ryerson University. Look for more magic from Massoud on the big screen in 2020!

Rami Malek (Egyptian-American Actor)

Pride is one of the first things that comes to mind when Egyptian-American Rami Malek talks about his beloved Egypt. Born in Los Angeles to immigrant parents Rami is proud of his heritage and culture. Last year he said, “there’s no ­first-generation, or second-generation removed. I am Egyptian. I grew up listening to Egyptian music. I loved Omar Sharif. These are my people. I feel so gorgeously tied to the culture and the human beings that exist there.” Malek is now a household name with prominent roles on the large and small screen. To date, some of his most notable work includes a guest-starring role in the TV series Gilmore Girls, a role in the Night at the Museum franchise, and a lead role in the USA Network psychological thriller Mr. Robot. His Oscar-winning performance in the film Bohemian Rhapsody, where Malek played Freddie Mercury has put him in a position to be one of Hollywood’s most sought after stars. This platform is allowing him to advocate for himself and other actors of color who are often forced into stereotypical roles. Before agreeing to be the next Bond villain Malek demanded that his character not be a religious fundamentalist or an Arabic-speaking terrorist. Breaking down barriers, stereotypes, and celebrating Egypt every chance he gets is just part and parcel of the incredible Rami Malek’s charm.