A week ago E! entertainment announced that they’ll be adding their first-ever Middle Eastern category to the annual People’s Choice Awards. This ultimate pop-culture award ceremony will now have a ‘Middle East Social Media Star’ group, and the nominees are influencers we know (and love) all too well.
From Karen Wazen, Noor Stars, and Ascia to filmmakers like Omar Farooq, we’re beyond excited that these MENA content creators will be receiving the recognition that they deserve!
Skin-positive content creator Logina Salah was one of the exclusive few that were selected, and Cosmo ME had the pleasure of discussing the nomination, social media fame, and one’s greatest challenges with her.
When asked about how she became an influencer, Logina said that she “blazed” her own path into the social media world. She’s been “an ex make-up artist for the past 15 years, who used to highlight the beauty of mixing colors to balance the beauty standard in the field. I always used to hide under the makeup.”
For context, Egyptian-born and bred Logina was diagnosed with vitiligo, a skin disorder when she was very young. “No one knew what I had [vitiligo] until I decided to post a before and after picture of myself, and after that, I began getting phone calls from people thanking me for that picture and how it changed their perspective on life.”
To read our full interview with the PCA nominee, scroll down below…
Cosmo ME: What are the greatest challenges you’ve faced as a vitiligo advocate?
Logina: Being in the beauty industry was very challenging for me. It was as if I was forcing myself into it [the industry] and I’d always feel unaccepted. I would hear stories or comments from others like “you work in beauty and you aren’t even beautiful, how come?”
C: What more do you think the beauty industry could do to accommodate those with vitiligo?
L: The beauty industry is being remodelled by many exciting changes that will continue to affect grooming habits and shape cultural perceptions of beauty for years to come.
Brands making the most headway are those actively listening and responding to the changing needs and demands of their customers.
C: What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?
L: No one ever made a difference by being like everybody else so just be yourself and be confident. People see you the way you see yourself.
C: What was your first dream?
L: As a teenager, it was like a dream for me to see people accepting different people and letting them blend in with the community with equal opportunities and chances as everyone else.
C: What would you say to your 16-year-old self if you could speak to her now?
L: Young lady, I know you are lonely, I know it’s tough, I know you are doubting yourself and you think you aren’t good enough. But, believe me, and trust the process, find your message, and know that everything happens for a reason, out of every mess there is a disguised blessing. There is a hidden gem out of every negative situation.
Embrace and love who you are, accept your flaws, and turn them into points of strength. God is preparing you for a beautiful life ahead, but he is making you strong first. The doors of opportunity will open, the moment you believe and love who you are so don’t ever give up.
C: How did you feel being nominated for a People’s Choice Award?
L: As a mother and body-skin positivity influencer (I’d actually like to call myself a body-normative advocate.) I feel blessed that my voice is heard and I am recognized here. I’m thankful that I managed to help some people get comfortable on social media.
The official voting window for the People’s Choice Awards is from 27 October to 17 November. Fans can vote up to 25 times per day, per category, per method (http://www.votepca.com/me or Twitter).
Don’t forget to tune into the People’s Choice Awards on December 8 at 3:00 am KSA exclusively on E!, via the region’s leading entertainment network, OSN Streaming, from December 9 at 12:00am KSA.