Celebrities nowadays wear the pride of their Arab heritage on their sleeves, and we couldn’t be more excited and proud.
You know we love a good plot twist, and this time, it’s all about uncovering those low-key Arab roots in some of Hollywood’s biggest names.
From pop stars to actors and even influencers, here are some celebs who are secretly repping the Middle East.
Get ready to be seriously impressed.
Simi and Haze Khadra
Simi and Haze Khadra, the stylish DJ duo and fashion icons, are making waves in the fashion and music scenes and proud of their Palestinian roots! Born to Palestinian parents and raised between Riyadh and Dubai, these twins have a genuinely global upbringing that is reflected in their eclectic style and artistry.
IG Handle: @simihaze
Fai Khadra
If you’ve ever scrolled through Instagram and spotted this cool guy hanging out with the Kardashian-Jenner clan or attending the hottest events, you’ve probably wondered, “Who is Fai Khadra?” Well, let us spill the tea: Fai is not just a stylish socialite and model, but he’s also proudly Palestinian and brother to Simi and Haze Khadra.
Weesa
Born to a Korean mother and Moroccan father, Weesa is a member of the Japanese boy group Psychic Fever, which is part of the larger entertainment agency LDH Japan. Psychic Fever is known for its blend of pop, R&B, and dance music, high-energy performances, and slay members.
IG Handle: @psyfe_official
Bella Hadid
Supermodel and our queen Bella Hadid is not just a fashion icon—she’s also a proud Dutch-Palestinian! Bella, whose father, Mohamed Hadid, is of Palestinian descent, has been vocal about her Arab heritage and the importance of staying connected to her roots. She often shares her cultural pride on social media, highlighting her connection to her father’s homeland and supporting Palestinian causes.
IG Handle: @bellahadid
Gigi Hadid
Just like her sister Bella, Gigi is also proudly repping her Dutch-Palestinian roots. Gigi has always embraced her heritage, often speaking about how it’s shaped her identity and career.
IG Handle: @gigihadid
Huda Kattan
Iraqi American makeup mogul, businesswoman, and content creator Huda Kattan, also known as Huda Beauty, needs no introduction. Her beauty brand is famous world-over, and her name has since become amongst the most recognised in the beauty industry. Whilst she’s well known for her roots in the region, elsewhere in the world, many beauty lovers are yet to catch on to Huda’s Arabic roots.
IG Handle: @huda
Mona Kattan
Just like her sister, she owns another beauty empire, but this time it is all about fragrance and named KAYALI, where Mona curates unique scents, and everyone and their moms praise her for the long-lasting sillage of her perfumes. Known regionally for her brand as well as her role in Dubai Bling, lovers of KAYALI across the world are slowly but surely learning of Mona’s Arab roots, too.
IG Handle: @monakattan
Alia Shawkat
Actress Alia Shawkat, known for her role in Arrested Development, is of Arab descent through her father, Tony Shawkat, who is Iraqi. Despite being born and raised in the U.S., she has often spoken about her pride in her heritage and the importance of diversity in the entertainment industry.
Salma Hayek
Iconic actress Salma Hayek has Arab heritage through her father, Sami Hayek DomĂnguez, who is of Lebanese descent. She often expressed pride in her Lebanese roots and has visited Lebanon, where her people were so welcoming.
IG Handle: @salmahayek
Jenna Dewan
Actress Jenna Dewan is known for her iconic role in Step Up with her ex-husband, Channing Tatum. This queen is of Lebanese and Polish descent.
IG Handle: @jennadewan
Amal Clooney
British lawyer, or should we say British-Lebanese lawyer Amal Clooney, was born in Beirut in Lebanon. She moved to the UK, fleeing the Lebanese Civil War, and grew up in London to pursue an academic career. Besides becoming the most respected lawyer in the world, she is prominently involved in human rights.
DJ Khaled
“I call this one… CHANDELIER!” DJ Khaled yells out loud, sitting on a couch, flexing his audience with his watch. Little did we know that the music producer is Palestinian. He is proud of his Palestinian heritage and often speaks about his cultural background in interviews and on social media.
IG Handle: @djkhaled
Steve Jobs
Co-founder of Apple Inc. Steve Jobs, who had Arab heritage through his biological father, was born in San Francisco, California, to Joanne Schieble, an American of Swiss and German descent, and Abdulfattah “John” Jandali, a Syrian immigrant. Jandali was born in Homs, Syria, and came to the United States to study.
Loren Asad
Loren Asad is Palestinian, but she was born and raised in the States and currently resides in Texas. She has been posting lifestyle content on her IG since 2013.
IG Handle: @lorenasad
Imaan Hammam
Imaan Hammam is a Dutch supermodel of Moroccan and Egyptian descent. She is known for her stunning beauty and her impact on the fashion industry.
IG Handle: @imaanhammam
Guys ICYMI, Erewhon is in Dubai… (well, kinda)