From Steve Jobs To Yara Shahidi Here Are 13 Celebrities You Didn’t Know Were Arab
Bazaar Arabia shares the genealogical Arab celebrity discovery…
There are numerous exceptionally talented celebrities who you may not know have Arab DNA running through their veins. From award-winning actors to top models, here is a compilation of international A-list celebrities who have a connection to Arab roots.
Bella Hadid and Gigi Hadid
Bella and Gigi Hadid stand among the most famous celebrity sister duos in the modelling industry and hold a prominent presence within the fashion world. They have walked runway shows for a plethora of prestigious fashion houses and have assumed ambassadorial roles for top-tier brands. Unknown to some, the sisters are actually half-Palestinian due to their father Mohamed Hadid being born in Palestine and coming from a Palestinian Muslim family. As proud Palestinian-Americans, the sisters have consistently demonstrated their support and solidarity for Palestine on multiple occasions.
Yara Shahidi
Harper’s Bazaar Arabia’s April 2023 cover star Yara Shahidi was born to an African-American mother and an Iranian-American father. The actress has had stellar performances in various successful films and is best known for her portrayal of Zoey in the American sitcom, Black-ish. Not only is she a brilliant actress but the star also graduated from Harvard University, one of the most prestigious Ivy League private institutions in the US.
Shakira
Hips Don’t Lie singer Shakira reigns as one of the most prominent figures in the global music scene. Her unique vocal talent and incredible belly-dancing skills stand as a testament to her rich Arab and Latina heritage. The multifaceted artist’s Lebanese lineage stems from her father, who has made sure to keep their cultural heritage prominent throughout her lifetime.
Christian Louboutin
Renowned for designing the highly-coveted red-sole stilettos, Christian Louboutin’s fashion label holds a position among the elite footwear lines in the fashion world. Not only is the designer a master at his craft, but he also bears Arab heritage. Christian’s Egyptian lineage stems from his biological father and although it may not have played a prominent role in his life, the designer has always felt a connection to it.
Amal Clooney
Distinguished Lawyer Amal Clooney was born in Beirut, Lebanon, and proudly embraces her Arab heritage. While her upbringing unfolded in the UK, the essence of her Lebanese roots continue to hold a significant place in her life. On top of her remarkable legal career, the successful lawyer is married to Hollywood heartthrob George Clooney, and it is undeniable that the striking couple forms a powerful and influential duo.
DJ Khaled
DJ Khaled, born Khaled Mohammed Khaled, is a professional DJ and distinguished record producer. His exceptional musical talent has propelled him to collaborations with renowned artists such as Drake, Nicki Minaj, and Jay-Z, along with other big names within the music industry.
Ariana Grande
Pop singer, songwriter, and actress Ariana Grande has made a name for herself in the Hollywood industry due to her unbelievable vocal prowess. While she has been consistently outspoken about her Italian heritage, Ariana was surprised to find out she has Arab roots. Upon taking a random DNA test, it turns out the singer has Arab lineage from Algeria, Morocco, or Tunisia.
Jenna Dewan
Jenna Dewan catapulted her stardom from her beginnings as a backup dancer for high-profile celebrities like Janet Jackson. She later soared to fame for her standout performances in films such as Step Up. It’s possible that her great rhythm finds its roots in her heritage, as her father, former Notre Dame football player Darryll Dewan, holds Lebanese and Syrian lineage.
Jerry Seinfeld
Stand-up comedian Jerry Seinfeld, renowned as the creative force behind the American sitcom Seinfeld is of Syrian descent. Despite being born and raised in the heart of Brooklyn, New York, his roots reveal a strong connection to his Syrian heritage, as his mother is of full-blooded Syrian descent.
Rami Malek
Actor Rami Malek, iconicly known for his portrayal of the legendary singer Freddie Mercury in the film Bohemian Rhapsody has Egyptian immigrant parents who have significantly shaped his cultural identity. While his upbringing took place in California, Egyptian influence has been a prevailing force throughout his lifetime. Rami’s parents made it a priority to raise him in a household that embraced Egyptian culture as well as the language, fostering an environment where his heritage was celebrated and cherished.
Salma Hayek
Salma Hayek, a Mexican-American actress and acclaimed film producer has garnered praise for her work in telenovelas and her versatile acting career, including her involvement in film production. Although Mexican-born, the star’s heritage is a harmonious blend of cultures as her father comes from a partly Lebanese background.
Tarek El Moussa
Tarek El Moussa, The HGTV personality, famously known as co-host of the show Flip-and-Flop bears a significant Lebanese heritage. In an exclusive interview with Harper’s Bazaar Arabia, Tarek expressed the profound pride he has for his Lebanese roots and carries his beloved Arab heritage with him through his name.
Jade Thirlwall
Former member of the Little Mix girl group Jane Thirwall has solidified her status as a successful British singer and composer. Remarkably, the singer is half-Arab from her mother’s side who is of Yemeni and Egyptian descent, which adds a unique dimension to her multifaceted identity.
Steve Jobs
The technology and business magnate Steve Jobs is the founder and late CEO of Apple. Starting from the ground up, he created the biggest technology company worldwide. While adopted by American parents as a baby, his biological father is a Syrian-American businessman, which makes him Arab by blood.
Wentworth Miller
Wentworth Miller is best known for being a notable character in the American crime TV show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and the series Prison Break. The actor has quite a diverse background as he was born in the UK but raised in the US. However, unknown to some, his mother possesses a Syrian and Lebanese lineage which endows him partly Arab.
Teri Hatcher
Not only is Desperate Housewives star Teri Hatcher a successful actress, but she also has Arab DNA thanks to her mother’s Syrian heritage. Her illustrious acting career boasts iconic roles in prominent films such as the James Bond franchise and the TV series Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman where she portrayed the character of Lois.
Zoe Saldaña
Zoe Saldaña, the A-lister of science-fiction films has starred in four of the genre’s top-tier films, cementing her status as a preeminent actress in the industry. The Hollywood talent is well-known her Afro-Latina heritage, but unknown to most, she is also part Lebanese from her mother’s side.
Lead image courtesy of Harper’s Bazaar Arabia & Instagram/ @steve_jobs_unofficial