Meet The Cast Of ‘The Real Housewives Of Dubai’
As the 11th city to join Bravo’s Real Housewives franchise ecosystem, The Real Housewives of Dubai is giving viewers the booked, busy, and boujee vibes of past iterations but done in the renowned City of Gold. Airing on Wednesdays at 9/8c, the new series documents the lives of six housewives as they wine and dine in the most exclusive of places, build their empires, and fuel their career ambitions, radiating glamour and luxury while doing it.
Whether you’ve already tuned into the show or are having an internal debate about if this new show is worth streaming, here’s a brief introduction to each of the Dubai housewives.
Who Is Chanel Ayan?
No surprise here, but this Kenyan-born businesswoman of Somali and Ethiopian descent first made her mark in the world as a supermodel. “I’m the first Black supermodel in Dubai, and the first person from my village or my generation to do something as big as this. So I feel so proud,” Chanel Ayan said in a promotional video she shared on Instagram. These days Ayan is the owner of a talent agency and is also creating a skin care line with celebrity MUA Toni Malt, AYAN Beauty by Toni Malt.
In the same video, she explained that she has lived in Dubai for 18 years after moving there with her husband, Luca Salves. The two, who have been married for 22 years, also share a son together, Taj. Of their relationship, the beauty expert shared, “My dad beat me so bad I did not know what love was until I met him.”
Who Is Lesa Milan?
If you were a fan of BET's College Hill: South Beach, Lesa Milan might be a familiar face. Lesa hails from her home country of Jamaica as a former Miss Jamaica winner. The former beauty queen traded in her crown to shift into the world of fashion design and entrepreneurship. As the founder and chief designer of Mina Roe, a luxury maternity wear brand, Lesa has had the honor of having her items worn by the likes of Serena Williams, Gigi Hadid, and Beyoncé to name a few. She also founded My Little Makers, a youth educational brand.
Business isn’t the only thing on Lesa’s brain, love is too. She is married to Dubai-based real estate developer and millionaire financier Richard Hall. The couple share three children, Maximillian, Sebastian, and Kristian.
Who Is Caroline Brooks?
Caroline Brooks is a hustler baby, and she just wants you to know. This Afro-Latina is a first-generation American born to immigrant parents and she is proud of where she’s come from and how it’s shaped who she’s become. Her desire for multiple streams of income stemmed from craving financial independence following her split from her now ex-husband (who is also the reason she relocated to Dubai in 2010). She became a real estate director in Dubai, making her one of the first women to do so.
Caroline also founded a luxury spa and salon catering to all skin types, tones, and textures called Glass House Dubai, an endeavor she told Cosmpolitan that she manifested and is the sole creator of. Although she and her ex are no longer together, the Bravo star shared that she had no regrets about their whirlwind relationship because of the birth of the former couple’s son.
Who Is Nina Ali?
The Lebanon-born, Texas-raised Nina Ali is an entrepreneur and businesswoman known for her ambition and drive. She made the move to Dubai with her husband, Munaf Ali, in 2011. As far as business endeavors go, Nina is the proud co-owner of a budding premium fruit cake empire in addition to being a successful influencer online. In an interview with ITP Live, she talked about her passion for baking. “My mom has obviously always been my inspiration because she cooks such authentic homemade and fresh food, every day! My mom cooks all the time, everything is made from the heart.”
Nina and her husband Munaf met through friends and have been married for 12 years. She revealed to Harper’s Bazaar, “After seeing my picture, Munaf asked about me. He flew all the way around the world, just to take me to dinner.”
Nina is the mother of three children, daughters Sophia and Nour, and son Ayan. The wife and business owner is quick to own the fact that being a mother is the greatest accomplishment of her life.
Who Is Sara Al Madani?
Sara Al Madani has been business-minded since the age of 15 when she started a fashion brand to change the way Arab women dressed. When she got older, she pivoted into the world of tech working with companies like Social Fish and Hulatek. Since then, Sara has become relatively known for being a prolific speaker, accumulating over 200 keynote speeches under her belt.
She once shared her why in an interview, “The number one thing that I’ve done is that I freed myself from the stereotype of what I should or shouldn’t be doing as a woman: how a woman should only be working in feminine fields; how a woman should just be at home raising kids. None of that resonated with me. I believe in gender equality and I believe that you go out there and get whatever life’s giving you.”
Sara has been married twice and divorced twice and aside from her career endeavors, she also finds purpose in raising her son.
Who Is Caroline Stanbury?
London born and bred, Caroline Stanbury is not a new face to Bravo. Unlike the other ladies on the franchise’s roster, Caroline has skin in the game as a reality star from a previous series called Ladies of London. She was previously married to Cem Habib, a financier with whom she shares three children: Yasmine, 16, and twins Zac and Aaron, 12.
Caroline and Cem divorced in 2019 and Caroline has since been in a relationship with a 27-year-old former Madrid soccer player, Sergio Carallo. The pair first went public in 2020 about their relationship before getting engaged in 2021 and their nuptials will air on this season of RHODubai.
Worth a reported $30 million, the former stylist now splits her time between philanthropy, acting as a luxury brand ambassador, and hosting a successful podcast.
Featured image by Chris Haston/Bravo
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for daily love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
Momo Productions/Getty
Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images