The Real Housewives of Dubai season 2: Who is Chanel Ayan? Age, career, and more explored

Chanel Ayan is one of the standout personalities on The Real Housewives of Dubai, managing to captivate audiences with her striking beauty, entrepreneurship, and compelling life journey.

Born and raised in Kenya, Chanel, whose real name is Ayan Pillott, has built a formidable career in the modeling industry, earning her the title of Dubai's first Black supermodel. Born on 7 June 1978, the 46-year-old moved from the plains of Kenya to Sao Paulo, Brazil, and then to the dazzling cityscape of Dubai.

Chanel Ayan has gained fame in the reality TV world, through her participation in The Real Housewives of Dubai. She is married to Chris Pillott, and together they have a son named Taj, who features prominently in her social media, showcasing her role as a dedicated mother and wife alongside her professional pursuits.

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Chanel Ayan is Dubai's first black supermodel

Chanel Ayan's modeling journey began in Kenya, where she participated in the Miss Kenya beauty pageant, which set the stage for her future endeavors. This early exposure to the world of fashion and beauty competitions sparked her ambition to pursue a career in modeling. Determined to achieve greater heights, she moved to Brazil and then Dubai, where her career truly took off.

Chanel met her husband in Brazil when she was 17. In an interview with Nigerian Tribune in October 2019, Ayan said that Chris was “her first love and the only person” she has ever been with. Although her family opposed the matchup, they have persevered for over 20 years and still going strong.

In Dubai, Chanel broke significant ground by becoming the first Black supermodel to grace the covers of numerous high-profile magazines in the region. She’s modeled for brands like Givenchy, Valentino, and Christian Dior and graced the covers and pages of magazines like Vogue, Xpedition, Cosmopolitan, and Elements.

As of late, Chanel Ayan has also been asked to be the official head of runway and casting for Miss Universe UAE. And she also owns a cosmetics company called Ayan Beauty by Toni Malt.

As a cast member of Real Housewives of Dubai, Chanel has made a name for herself by showcasing her unique background and experiences to the forefront.

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Overcoming personal challenges

Beyond the glitz and glamour of her modeling career, Chanel Ayan's life story includes overcoming significant personal challenges. Growing up in Kenya, she faced the harsh reality of forced circumcision, a traumatic experience she has spoken about openly to raise awareness and inspire others.

During season 1 episode 11 of The Real Housewives of Dubai, she told a therapist,

"At 5 years old, my aunt and my grandma came to pick us up to take us to another town. And then the next morning at 6 a.m., I didn't know where I was going whatsoever and then they took us to this man's house and they just tied us on the bed and we were circumcised."

She claimed none of her friends raised the topic with her, but many fans reached out to her who had a similar traumatic experience growing up. In a May 27, 2024 interview with People, she stated:

“Literally in the worst moments of my life, the messages I got from women that have gone through the same thing as me was insane. It was insane. I think that's one of the things that kept me going.”

Despite the cultural pressures and dangers she faced, Chanel Ayan's determination to escape such practices and pursue her dreams is a powerful aspect of her narrative.

Additionally, she has also disclosed that she narrowly avoided an arranged marriage to her cousin, an escape that marked a turning point in her life and propelled her towards a path of independence and self-determination.

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The Real Housewives of Dubai season airs on Tuesdays on Bravo at 9 pm ET.