Amy Roko On Dealing With Negativity, Dreams For 2023, And Dubai Bling Season Two
In the wake of the news that she was reportedly “fired” from Dubai Bling: Season Two, Bazaar Arabia reaches out to the Saudi content creator to discuss her thoughts on traditional media, sticking to her morals and what she’s manifesting for 2023
Did Amy Roko actually get fired from Dubai Bling, Season Two? Bazaar Arabia chats to the Saudi content creator in the wake of the rumours she was let go from the second season.
“No comment.”
That’s the answer we receive when we ask if it’s true, if Saudi creator Amy Roko did indeed get “fired” from Netflix’s Dubai Bling: Season Two. Yesterday, Arabian Business broke the news that the 29-year-old Saudi creator and comedienne-turned-entrepreneur and rapper was reportedly released from the series after it was revealed she felt uncomfortable about the dating plotline of the show.
“The next day she got an email saying that Netflix didn’t feel she was the right fit for the storyboard so they wouldn’t be continuing with her,” a source told Arabian Business.
Fired is a strong word, especially for a woman who stands up for herself and what she believes in, who isn’t willing to compromise her values and beliefs for fifteen minutes of reality television fame (Amy wears a niqab and doesn’t reveal her face online.) Not like she needs it, having recently graced the cover of Cosmopolitan Middle East. She also boasts a cool 1.6 million followers on Instagram and 1.1 million on TikTok.
While Amy isn’t able to comment on whether or not the rumours are true – or on anything related to the second season of Dubai Bling – she has plenty of time to chat about dealing with the haters; what the media gets wrong about her; and why it’s important to unabashedly, fearlessly be one’s self, at all costs.
Harper’s Bazaar Arabia: What’s one thing traditional media gets wrong about you?
Amy Roko: They tend to get a lot wrong about me. They think because I’m on social media, that I have to fit a certain box or that I change myself to fit their needs. I don’t waiver like that. I know who I am and what my values are. People love to assume and, at some point, you just have to let them.
HBA: How has putting yourself out there as a creator fundamentally changed you?
AR: It’s given me the confidence to be more of who I truly am. I wake up every day and I’m grateful that this journey has taught me so much about myself. Things I wouldn’t have learned if I didn’t take this leap of faith in myself.
HBA How do you deal with the negativity that comes with your line of work?
AR: The comedian in me comes to life! Like I said before, people love to assume and that’s fine. It doesn’t actually change anything about who I am and I get to create even funnier content.
HBA: Have you ever had to pass on or lose out on opportunities, because you refused to compromise your values and, ultimately, who you are and what you stand for?
AR: Anyone in this industry will tell you they’ve had to face a decision like this. I have a strong community around me that supports me. I’ve never regretted missing out on something that didn’t align with my moral compass and who I am. If anything, something bigger and better always came along shortly after!
HBA: What advice would you give to other young women and men who find themselves in this position?
AR: Figure out who you are before people figure it out for you. As cliché as it is, if you don’t do it for yourself first no one’s going to hold your hand through it – and once you figure out who you are, be that person fearlessly.
HBA: What are you manifesting for 2023?
AR: I’m Arab and evil eye is real! All I’ll say is stay tuned because bigger and better is just around the corner!
Lead images courtesy of Amy Roko
