Anok Yai is a South Sudanese-American supermodel who rose to fame overnight after a photo of her went viral. Known for her stunning looks and trailblazing career, she became the first South Sudanese model to open a Prada show and one of the most sought-after faces in fashion. In this post, we’ll take a quick look at Anok Yai’s bio, age, religion, height, boyfriend, net worth, and body measurements.
Anok Yai : Early Life & Biography
Anok Yai was born on December 20, 1997, in Cairo, Egypt. Her family is of South Sudanese heritage, and she moved to the United States, growing up in New Hampshire. She attended Manchester High School West and later enrolled at Plymouth State University, where she initially studied biochemistry with aspirations outside of modeling.
Her passion for dancing and creating engaging content led her to try TikTok (then Musical.ly), where she gained massive popularity. Today, she is one of India’s leading female influencers.
Anok Yai : Photos
Anok Yai Boyfriend / Husband :
As of 2025, Anok Yai has not publicly confirmed being in a relationship or married. The supermodel keeps her personal life very private and rarely discusses her romantic interests in interviews. While there have been rumors linking her to fellow model Alton Mason and rapper Offset, none of these have been verified by Anok herself. For now, she appears to be single and fully focused on her thriving modeling career and global fashion influence.
Anok Yai Career Highlights :
- Discovered by Chance (2017): Gained fame after a photographer’s picture of her at Howard University went viral.
- Historic Prada Moment (2018): Became the first Black model since Naomi Campbell to open a Prada show.
- Runway Star: Walked for top fashion houses like Versace, Dior, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Valentino.
- Campaign Queen: Featured in global campaigns for Estée Lauder, Balmain, and Alexander McQueen.
- Cover Girl: Appeared on Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, Elle, and i-D covers.
- Trailblazer: Advocates for diversity and inclusion in the fashion industry.
- Top Model Recognition: Listed among the Top 50 Models Worldwide by Models.com.
Anok Yai Net Worth :
From a viral photo at Howard University to the pinnacle of high fashion, Anok Yai’s rise has been nothing short of spectacular. As of 2025, her estimated net worth stands between $5 million and $6 million, a testament to her immense success in the modeling industry.
Yai’s income flows from runway appearances for top designers like Prada, Versace, and Dior, as well as global campaigns with luxury brands including Estée Lauder, Balmain, and Alexander McQueen. Beyond her modeling contracts, she continues to secure high-value brand endorsements and magazine covers, solidifying her position as one of the highest-earning Black supermodels of her generation.
FAQs About Anok Yai :
1. Who is Anok Yai?
Anok Yai is an Egyptian-born, South Sudanese-American fashion model who rose to prominence in the late 2010s.She has walked for major fashion houses, appeared on high-profile magazine covers, and is known for breaking barriers in the modelling industry.
2. How was she discovered?
Her big break came after a photograph of her at a homecoming event went viral on Instagram in 2017.
Shortly after that, she signed with a modelling agency and quickly got major jobs.
3. What historic modelling milestone did she achieve?
In 2018, she became the second Black model (after Naomi Campbell in 1997) to open the runway show for Prada — a landmark moment for representation in fashion.
4. What are her origins and early life like?
- Born in Cairo, Egypt, to South Sudanese parents.
- Her family moved to the United States when she was about three or four years old; they settled in New Hampshire.
- She has spoken openly about social anxiety and experiences of being a dark-skinned immigrant in a predominantly white area during her childhood.
5. What sets her apart in the fashion industry?
- Her walk and presence: she says she deliberately developed a unique runway walk that would be recognisable as her own.
- Her advocacy for diversity and Black hair acceptance in modelling: for example, she chose to wear her natural hair (Afro, cornrows) on runway to challenge norms.
- Her artistic side: She is also a painter and views modelling as one aspect of her creative life.
6. What challenges has she faced?
She has spoken about experiencing racial micro-aggressions even after entering the fashion industry, and about the pressures of being the “only one like me” in many sets.
7. What is her personal ethos or style?
From interviews:
- She says beauty isn’t something you add — “Beauty is more of an essence that you have inside of yourself…”
- She values staying grounded via art, self-reflection, and rituals of her culture (e.g., scenting her home, painting, meditation).
8. What can we expect from her going forward?
While continuing modelling, she is also expanding into other creative fields (like art), and is increasingly viewed as a voice for change in fashion rather than just a model.
9. Quick fun facts about her:
- She studied biochemistry at university before modelling full-time.
- She says she used to draw on pillowcases and hotel hotel room linens when she travelled — now paints on canvases.
- She cites icons like Nina Simone for their strength and self-possession.
10. Why is she important in today’s fashion world?
Anok Yai represents a shift: from being the “exception” to modelling standards to helping redefine what standard-bearing models look like. Her presence signals broader inclusion — of body, hair, skin tone, origin. She is a symbol of transformation.
