Credit @chanelayan
It’s been more than 17 years since the Real Housewives franchise began in a gorgeous southern California community called Orange County. In 17 years, the franchise has introduced us to housewives from 10 cities across the country. As of 2022, there’s an 11th city on the list of housewives, and it’s the first international city introduced to the network. The Real Housewives of Dubai is fresh, new, and filled with the same beautiful people and questionable drama as any other franchise. One of the newest wives fans will get to know is Chanel Ayan. Who is the woman who made history as the first black supermodel in Dubai?
1. Where is Chanel Ayan From?
The gorgeous new housewife has a spectacular heritage. She was born and raised in Kenya. However, she is also Somali and Ethiopian and quite proud of her heritage and life. She doesn’t speak often of her childhood or her family – she may simply want to provide them with their own level of privacy – but we imagine her family is beautiful given her own genes.
2. What Does She Do for a Living?
The question is, what doesn’t Chanel Ayan do for a living? She’s a supermodel who has worked for some of the world’s most notable brands and designers. However, she is also a business owner. She’s the founder and owner of a talent agency. Additionally, she’s collaborated with celeb makeup artist Toni Malt to create a skincare and makeup line. Her goal in life is to help women feel beautiful, confident, and gorgeous in their own skin.
3. Is She Married?
If you think it’s silly to ask if a real housewife is married, you’ve obviously never watched a real housewives franchise. Many of the ‘wives’ are unmarried women. Chanel Ayan, however, is married. She and her husband have been married for more than 22 years. His name is Lucas Salves. In addition to her role as a wife, she’s also the mother of their son Taj.
Credit @chanelayan
4. Who is Cookie?
If you follow her online or watch her on the show, you’ll notice she is frequently with a young man she refers to as Cookie. Cookie is actually her son, Taj. She chooses to call him by his nickname. One thing you should know about this woman is that she’s a good mom whose son comes before anyone else.
5. She’s a Jet Setter and World Traveler
At the age of 18, she left Kenya. She knew she would pursue a modeling career, and Kenya was not the place for her to do this. Instead, she left her own home and traveled across the world. She did not immediately head to Dubai, however. She settled in Brazil to become a model, proving the perfect move for Chanel Ayan.
6. How Long Has She Been in Dubai?
She was raised in Kenya. She lived in Brazil. She traveled the world to model, and now she resides in Dubai. It’s a trendy city, and it’s been growing in popularity for the past few years. However, Chanel Ayan and her husband moved to Dubai long before it was trendy. She’s been in the city for almost 20 years. It was approximately 2004 when she and her husband lived in Dubai.
7. She Made History
Chanel Ayan is a woman who is making history. She is the very first black supermodel in Dubai. She’s also making history in her own hometown, too. She’s the first person from her Kenyan village to do something this big in life, and she is proud of herself. She’s done major things and worked hard to make it happen.
Credit @chanelayan
8. What Does her Husband Do?
Why, he’s a model, of course. It is a family business. Her husband is from the United States, but she did meet him while he was in Brazil. When he is not modeling, he is an artist. His work is important to him, and he also understands his wife’s work. They are respectful of one another and the life they lead together.
9. Her Son is Following her Footsteps
Cookie’s mom is a woman who has walked major fashion show runways, and she’s worked with clients such as Tiffany, Louis Vuitton, and Versace. She’s graced the covers of many magazines, and now her own son is doing the same. He’s recently posed for a campaign that’s featured in Vogue’s Arabia version, and it’s a huge deal.
10. She’s Incredibly Wealthy
Considering her net worth alone, you’ll find that Chanel Ayan is worth $2 million. She’s not counting her husband’s net worth with her own. She worked hard to earn her net worth and is proud of everything she’s done as a woman, wife, mother, and business owner.