# Chanel Ayan

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**Chanel Ayan** (formerly **Ayan Pillott**; born 7 June 1978) is a Somali model, businesswoman and television personality. She has worked with a number of top designers including [Chanel](/source/Chanel), [Tiffany & Co.](/source/Tiffany_%26_Co.), [Cartier](/source/Cartier_(jeweler)), [Valentino](/source/Valentino_(fashion_house)) and [Dolce & Gabanna](/source/Dolce_%26_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](/source/Bravo_(American_TV_network)) reality series *[The Real Housewives of Dubai](/source/The_Real_Housewives_of_Dubai)*, which she joined in the show's first season.[1]

## Early life

Ayan was born in [Malaba](/source/Malaba,_Kenya), 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. She is very close with two of them, Ifrah and Sadiq.[2]

At the age of 5, both Ayan and her sister Ifrah experienced forced [genital mutilation and female circumcision](/source/Genital_modification_and_mutilation#Female) 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](/source/S%C3%A3o_Paulo), in order to pursue a career in modelling.[7] Then, shortly after moved to [New York City, United States](/source/New_York_City) with [Elite Models](/source/Elite_Models), then finally moved to [Dubai, United Arab Emirates](/source/Dubai) in 2005.[8]

Ayan has modelled for several fashion houses such as [Chanel](/source/Chanel), [Dior](/source/Dior), [Moschino](/source/Moschino), [Cartier](/source/Cartier_(jeweler)), [Dolce & Gabbana](/source/Dolce_%26_Gabbana), [Tiffany & Co.](/source/Tiffany_%26_Co.), [Valentino](/source/Valentino_(fashion_house)), and [Louis Vuitton](/source/Louis_Vuitton).,[9] while also having worked in an advertising campaign for [Emirates](/source/Emirates_(airline)) and the [Dubai Tourism Company](/source/Dubai_Holding), becoming the first black person to do so.[8].[citation needed] She has also appeared the covers of [Forbes](/source/Forbes), [Elle magazine](/source/Elle_(magazine)) and [Harper's Bazaar](/source/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](/source/Beyonc%C3%A9), [Lady Gaga](/source/Lady_Gaga) and [Nicki Minaj](/source/Nicki_Minaj).[11]

In 2021, she became head of runway from [Miss Universe UAE](/source/Miss_Universe_UAE).[12]

In 2022, Ayan was announced to be part of the first season of *[The Real Housewives of Dubai](/source/The_Real_Housewives_of_Dubai)* along with Nina Ali, Caroline Brooks, Dr. Sara Al Madani, Lesa Milan and [Caroline Stanbury](/source/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 Notes 2022–2024 The Real Housewives of Dubai Main cast 2022 Watch What Happens Live! Guest, 4 episodes 2023 The Real Housewives of New Jersey Episode: "Teresa Gets Married" 2025 The Traitors Season 3 contestant

## Personal life

While in Brazil, she met her husband Chris Pillott, from [Idaho, United States](/source/Idaho), when she was 19. The pair got married in a private ceremony in Brazil.[15] Together they have a son, born in 2005, named Taj Pillott.[16]

In an interview with [Vanguard](/source/Vanguard_(Nigeria)), 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](/source/Coco_Before_Chanel), feeling that she connected with different aspects of [Coco Chanel's](/source/Coco_Chanel) 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](/source/Ubah_Hassan), who is one of the stars of *[The Real Housewives of New York City](/source/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"](https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/pictures/real-housewives-of-dubai-everything-we-know-so-far/is-caroline-stanbury-joining-the-cast/). 17 May 2022.

1. Pandey, Bibek (March 20, 2023). ["All We Know About RHODubai Star Chanel Ayan Family"](https://thefamilynation.com/chanel-ayan-family). *The Family Nation*. Retrieved September 24, 2023.

1. Malec, Brett (August 18, 2022). ["RHODubai's Chanel Ayan Opens Up About Surviving Forced Genital Mutilation at Age 5"](https://www.eonline.com/news/1342388/rhodubais-chanel-ayan-opens-up-about-surviving-forced-genital-mutilation-at-age-5). *E! News*. Retrieved September 24, 2023.

1. Ushi, Nalede. ["'Real Housewives of Dubai' star Chanel Ayan says she survived female genital mutilation at 5"](https://eu.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/tv/2022/08/18/real-housewives-dubai-chanel-ayan-female-genital-mutilation/10355963002/). *USA Today*. Retrieved September 24, 2023.

1. Brody, Lanae. ["'RHODubai' Star Chanel Ayan Tearfully Reveals She Was Circumcised at Age 5: 'I'm Starting to Heal'"](https://people.com/tv/rhodubai-recap-chanel-ayan-reveals-she-was-circumcised-at-age-5/). *People*. Retrieved September 24, 2023.

1. Vena, Jocelyn (August 19, 2022). ["Chanel Ayan Reflects on the Traumatic Events of Her Childhood: "I'm a Survivor""](https://www.bravotv.com/the-daily-dish/rhodubai-chanel-ayan-discusses-undergoing-forced-genital-mutilation#:~:text=Ayan%20first%20opened%20up%20about,calls%20%E2%80%9Ca%20barbaric%20practice.%E2%80%9D). *Bravo TV*. Retrieved September 24, 2023.

1. Tempera, Jacqueline (May 31, 2022). ["Chanel Ayan Reflects on the Traumatic Events of Her Childhood: "I'm a Survivor""](https://www.womenshealthmag.com/life/a40152960/chanel-ayan-real-housewives-of-dubai/). *Women's Health*. Retrieved September 24, 2023.

1. Onikoyi, Ayo (September 30, 2019). ["Chanel Ayan: Middle East's number one black model unscripted"](https://www.vanguardngr.com/2019/09/chanel-ayan-middle-easts-number-one-black-model-unscripted/). *[Vanguard](/source/Vanguard_(Nigeria))*. Retrieved September 24, 2023.

1. Widjojo, Conchita (June 1, 2022). ["Chanel Ayan of 'The Real Housewives of Dubai' on Her 'Big' Personality and Style"](https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/chanel-ayan-real-housewives-of-dubai-big-personality-style-1235192866/). *WWD*. Retrieved September 24, 2023.

1. Sen, Sushmeta (May 27, 2022). ["Who is Chanel Ayan from RHODubai? Meet the first black supermodel to feature in Dubai magazine"](https://www.sportskeeda.com/pop-culture/who-chanel-ayan-rhodubai-meet-first-black-supermodel-feature-dubai-magazine). *SK Pop*. Retrieved September 24, 2023.

1. Muia, Sylvia (June 28, 2022). ["Kenyan-born model stealing the show in 'Real Housewives of Dubai'"](https://nation.africa/kenya/life-and-style/lifestyle/kenyan-born-model-stealing-show-real-housewives-of-dubai--3862728). *Nation*. Retrieved September 24, 2023.

1. Pearson, Emma (October 15, 2021). ["Miss Universe UAE audition: glamour, joy and heartbreak"](https://www.thenationalnews.com/lifestyle/fashion/2021/10/15/miss-universe-uae-audition-glamour-joy-and-heartbreak/). *National News*. Retrieved September 24, 2023.

1. Team TV Deets (1 November 2021). ["'Real Housewives Of Dubai' Cast Revealed: Meet The Rumoured Housewives"](https://tvdeets.com/real-housewives-of-dubai-cast-revealed-meet-the-rumoured-housewives/). *TV Deets*. Retrieved 22 March 2022.

1. Harano, Lauren (June 1, 2022). ["Chanel Ayan Opens Up About Being Dubai's First Black Supermodel"](https://www.bravotv.com/the-real-housewives-of-dubai/style-living/chanel-ayan-on-being-dubais-first-black-supermodel). *Bravo TV*. Retrieved September 24, 2023.

1. Bajracharya, Sapana (April 3, 2022). ["Who Is Chanel Ayan Husband Luca Salves? Everything To Know About The Real Housewives Cast"](https://pimiso.com/chanel-ayan-husband-luca-salves-family-details-and-net-worth-2022). *Pimiso*. Retrieved September 24, 2023.

1. Raga, Pippa (July 13, 2022). ["'RHODubai' Star Chanel Ayan's Son Is Following in Her Modeling Footsteps"](https://www.distractify.com/p/chanel-ayan-son). *Distractify*. Retrieved September 24, 2023.

1. Huamani, Kaitlyn (July 16, 2023). ["RHONY's Ubah Hassan Reveals Advice She Received from Cousin and 'RHODubai' Housewife Chanel Ayan (Exclusive)"](https://people.com/rhony-ubah-hassan-reveals-advice-from-cousin-rhodubai-star-chanel-ayan-exclusive-7561468). *[People](/source/People_(magazine))*. [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20230716193348/https://people.com/rhony-ubah-hassan-reveals-advice-from-cousin-rhodubai-star-chanel-ayan-exclusive-7561468) July 16, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 1, 2023.

## External links

- [Chanel Ayan](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13467093/) at IMDb
- [Chanel Ayan](https://www.instagram.com/chanelayan) on Instagram

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Chanel Ayan](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanel_Ayan) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chanel_Ayan?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.