Exclusive: Dubai Bling’s Diva Dee on Pregnancy, Her Baby Must-Haves and Hiding The Bump During Season 3

The content creator and cast member of Netflix’s hit reality television series dealt with a condition she says she wouldn’t wish on her worst enemy. Here, she shares all the details about dealing with Hyperemesis gravidarum, keeping her bump under wraps and more…

A note to our readers: This article may contain spoilers for Season Three of Dubai Bling.

When Danya Mohammed Almulla, a.k.a. Diva Dee, quietly slipped into our studio back in autumn for an exclusive maternity shoot with Bazaar Arabia, you could hardly tell the mother of two was pregnant.

The Dubai Bling cast member did an excellent job of hiding her bump despite a hectic film schedule and busy family life; but now that Season Three has debuted and the secret is out, the 33-year-old content creator can relax a bit.

“I just tried to stay at home,” she says, sharing her Number One tip on how she kept her pregnancy on the down low despite her high profile. “If I went out in public and someone asked me for a picture, I would just do a selfie and not show my belly.”

Danya is married to fellow Dubai Bling cast member DJ Bliss. The couple have a son, 6, and a daughter, 4, together and have recently welcomed a baby girl.

“He’s so excited,” she says, smiling. “He loves kids so much. So, to have a third one, he’s ecstatic about it. He’s very hands-on. He goes DJing, and then he comes back and he checks on the baby. He’ll change the diaper. He’s a great dad.”

And the kids? “They’re so excited to have a sibling,” she says.

What Diva Dee Had in Common With Kate Middleton During Her Pregnancy

It wasn’t an easy pregnancy for Danya who experienced a condition called Hyperemesis gravidarum, which causes severe nausea and vomiting – the very same one Kate Middleton had when she was pregnant with her children.

“It started before I knew I was expecting. I thought it was food poisoning,” she says. “I did a pregnancy test. I found out I was pregnant and then I think it started around four or five weeks – for some people, it stays with them the first trimester.”

Unfortunately, this time coincided with the filming of Dubai Bling’s Season Three.

“I was filming and I wasn’t feeling well, and I couldn’t tell anyone I was pregnant,” she says, mentioning how in Emirati culture women don’t disclose they’re expecting until they’re at least 12 weeks along. “My whole thing was like… keep it a secret – which caused drama on the show. I was sick, so I couldn’t show up to filming sometimes or attend certain events, like a few of Mona Kattan’s. And people were like ‘Oh, does Danya have an issue with her? With this person? Why isn’t she coming?’ And I couldn’t explain to anyone why I wasn’t showing up.”

It became so bad that she was event seeking medical attention on a regular basis. “I was in an emergency every single week. They knew me by name. I lost six kilograms,” she said, noting how she felt a blindsided when she first experienced it when pregnant with her first two children and was surprised there wasn’t more awareness about it. “The crazy thing is, you don’t look pregnant – you’re just a few weeks along, but you’re so sick. I wouldn’t wish it on my worst enemy. I’m lucky. I just had it until I was five months pregnant.”

Diva Dee’s Baby Must-Haves

Fortunately all was well in the end. Considering this is her third child, it’s unsurprising she came across as calm when discussed her newborn preparation plans. One must-have on her baby list? Dockatot. “It works miracles. I used it for my first and my second, and I’m definitely going to use it for my third,” she says, also noting how a good breast pump is important. And when it comes to car seats, she’s devoted to one brand. “Get a Nuna Pipa – it’s a car seat that can go straight into the YOYO Stroller. Then, once the baby is old enough, you can move them out of the car seat into the stroller on their own. It’s great.”

Dressing Avec Bébé: How Diva Dee Hid Her Baby Bump

When it came to maternity dressing, Danya had the routine down pat. Known for her statement making outfits on Dubai Bling, she shares insight into her maternity dressing habits.

“With my first and my second child, I went to a maternity shop and just bought maternity clothes. With this one, I actually didn’t buy any. I tried to reuse my own clothes and kind of make them work with my pregnancy look. By the time I got to my third trimester I’m just wearing dresses, because that’s what super comfortable.” And what about dressing to hide the bump? “I would always recommend wearing patterns that hide the bump and going for a baggy look, maybe even some very flowey dresses.”

How Did The Dubai Bling Cast React To Her Pregnancy?

Danya’s pregnancy is kept under wraps for most of Season Three, but a very special moment is shared during the finale when the couple reveal the gender of the baby. “Everyone was so excited,” she laughs. Ultimately, she shares the cast only had well-wishes for her and, eventually, the pregnancy was worked into the plot of the latest season.

Curious to know more? You’ll need to watch the latest season of the series for more details.

Watch Dubai Bling Season Three on Netflix.

Photographer: Efraim Evidor

Stylist: Charlotte Marsh-Williams