Today we’d like to introduce you to Fenani Ahmed
Hi Fenani, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story is one of breaking barriers. As a child, I was always drawn to fashion, magazines, and different forms of media. But as much as I loved them, I never saw anyone who looked like me. Growing up, I was made to believe that to be beautiful enough for the screen, a magazine cover, or a designers runway, you had to be white and blonde. I never thought of myself as ugly, but I felt unseen, as though my existence didn’t fit the beauty standards the world celebrated. It was rare enough to see a person of color in these spaces, but a hijabi? That was unheard of. And it left me with one question–why?
Even from a young age, I knew I wanted to model, to express myself, to act, and to be on a big screen. More than that, I wanted to show the world that hijabis were beautiful too. But as I grew up, I faced the same struggles many people of color do. Microaggressions, hate, and unsolicited comments. Being visibly muslim already made me a target, but to be a hijabi, a person of color, and a woman? The criticism followed me everywhere. So, instead of stepping into the spotlight, I watched from the sidelines.
But I wasn’t just watching, I was studying. What did these white models and actors have that I didn’t? I spent years trying to answer that question, never finding an answer, but in the process, I learned more about myself, I learned how my different feautures made me who I am, I learned how to act, I learned how to move and pose. I would spent hours practicing in my room, replicating what I saw on TV and movies, I staged fashion shows for my family, I gave mock speeches, and I learned how much I loved being in front of the camera.
It was in high school, through competitive speech, that I truly found my voice. Christal Ruppert my speech coach showed me that performing wasn’t just about memorizing words, it was about making people feel something. The ability to act, to convey raw emotions, to ove an audience only deepened my love for storytelling. I always worked tirelessly, perfecting my craft, pushing myself beyond my limits. And through that, I grew into my voice. I stopped shrinking myself. I stopped shying away from the spaces I deserved to take up.
By the time I stepped into modeling last year, I had already heard the doubts. “You won’t make it.” “There’s no place for someone like you in this industry.” Instead of discouraging me, their words fueled me. I worked harder, I pushed myself further. And then came the moment I’ll never forget. Stepping inot the studio for the first time. The lights, the camera, feeling for the first time that I was truly made for this. Knowing that someone would see this and feel heard.
Now, I don’t shy away from my dreams. My goals are big, and I am relentless in proving myself and achieving every single one of them. But this isn’t just for me. This is for every girl who wears a hijab and wonders if she belongs. This is for every child who has ever felt unseen, unheard, or unrepersented. I want them to know that they belong in every space they dream of.
My journey hasn’t been easy. I’ve faced bullying, islamaphoia, and countless people telling me what I couldn’t do. But I refused to let their words define me. And I owe it all to my mom, throughout it all, throughout my crazy rants, my dreams, the fashion shows I’ve put on for her, she’s been there. Not once has she ever told me I couldn’t do anything, or that I couldn’t be anything. Whether it be driving me, uplifting me, or just being there. She is my ultimate motivation.
I am who I am now not just as a model, but as proof that we don’t have to fit in the mold. We are meant to break it. And I plan to do just that.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Chasing a dream that the world tells you isn’t meant for you comes with it’s own set of struggles. From a young age, I faced the harsh reality that there was little to no representation for hijabis in the fashion and entertainment industries. Growing up, I dealt with microaggressions, unsolicited comments, and outright hate. Not just for wearing the hijab but for daring to believe I could belong in these spaces.
Being a visibly muslim women of color meant I had to work twice as hard to be taken seriously. Beyond that, the challenges weren’t just external. There was also an internal battle of learning to believe you are more then enough. Years of seeing beauty standards that excluded people like me makes you question wether or not you have what it takes to be in the entertainment or fashion industry.
The biggest challenge has been breaking through the barriers that were never meant to be crossed. The modeling industry wasn’t built with hijabis in mind, but that doesn’t mean we don’t belong. Every rejection, every dismissive comment, every person who told me I couldn’t has only made me more determined to prove that I can. I’ve had to create my own opportunities, push through doors that weren’t meant to open for me.
Because of my ambitions, I have become incredibly busy. I have more then one dream, and I know I will accomplish all of them. This can get exhausting but I refuse to settle. As a full time university student, I value my education. I have dreams to be on the cover of a fashion magazine, to bring representation in entertainment industries and more. This can prove difficult to multi manage but I hold myself to such a high regard I know it is possible.
The road hasn’t been smooth, but I wouldn’t change a thing. Every struggle has shaped me into the person I am today. Someone who refuses to be overlooked, who embraces her identity, and who is determined to make sure no other person ever has to question if they belong.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a model and an aspiring actor, passionate about storytelling in all its forms, whether it’s through fashion, film, or social media. Modeling has given me the space to express myself in ways I never imagined, and acting has allowed me to step into different worlds and emotions, further fueling my love for performance.
I’m most proud of how much I’ve grown as a creative in such a short time. Every shoot I’ve done has been a learning experience, and seeing my progress both in front of the camera and behind the scenes has been incredibly rewarding. Beyond modeling and acting, I recently started a YouTube channel to document my journey. From balancing classes, auditions, and shoots to sharing bits of my personality and humor, it’s my way of giving people a real, unfiltered look into my world. On TikTok, I share more short-form content, from fashion and makeup to silly rants and everyday moments.
What sets me apart is my mindset. I step into every space knowing it will be me. Not in an arrogant way, but with the determination that if there’s no place for me, I will create one. My hijab isn’t something I hide or compromise; it’s a core part of who I am. I don’t accommodate myself to fit into the industry’s mold. I bring my own presence, my own identity, and I make it work on my terms. Representation isn’t just about being seen; it’s about being seen as you are, without dilution, without erasure. That’s what I bring to the table, and that’s what I hope to inspire in others.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
My biggest piece of advice is to never put your dreams on hold for the “right moment.” There is no perfect time, no perfect version of yourself that you need to become before you start chasing what you want. If you wait until you feel ready, you’ll be waiting forever.
I wish I knew that sooner. For so long, I let fear and doubt hold me back. I thought I needed to fit a certain mold or wait until I had everything figured out. But the truth is, you grow by doing. You learn by trying. The only way to get better, to make a name for yourself, to break into spaces that weren’t built for you, is to start now.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fenaniahmedd/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fenaniahmed
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@fenaniahmedd?_t=zt-8sc0qhdli9m&_r=1
