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Ubah Hassan

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Ubah Hassan
اوبح حسن
Born
Ubah Ali Hassan

(1983-08-27) 27 August 1983 (age 41)[1][2]
Somalia
Occupations
  • Model
  • businesswoman
  • television personality
RelativesChanel Ayan (cousin)
Modeling information
Height5 ft 11.5 in (1.82 m)
Hair colorBlack
Eye colorBrown
Agency
  • Richard's International Model Management (Vancouver)
  • Models 1 (London)

Ubah Ali Hassan (Somali: Ubax Xasan, Arabic: اوبح حسن; born 27 August 1983) is a Somali-Canadian model, businesswoman, and television personality. She has worked with a number of top designers including Ralph Lauren, Gucci, Rachel Roy, and Oscar de la Renta. She is the founder and CEO of Ubah Hot, her own personal brand of hot sauce. Hassan is also known for starring in the Bravo reality series The Real Housewives of New York City, which she joined in the show's fourteenth season. In addition, she is involved in philanthropic work.

Early life

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Hassan was born in Somalia in 1983 and grew up in the city of Baidoa. In 1991, Hassan's mother and three sisters fled war-torn Somalia and moved to Ethiopia. Hassan, her father, and her brother stayed in Somalia until 1994 when they then moved to Kenya. Hassan later immigrated to Canada at the age of 15, where she was reunited with her mother and sisters who had also immigrated to the country. Hassan's family was forced to live in a homeless shelter for a year upon their move to Canada.[3][4][5]

Career

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At age 17, Hassan was talent spotted at a park in Canada by a photographer and subsequently began modeling in Vancouver and Toronto.[6][4] She was also the owner of a restaurant while living in Vancouver.[7] In 2007, she was signed to Click Model Management in New York City.[3] There she began doing high profile photoshoots and walking fashion runways.

In April 2008, Hassan was featured in an Allure magazine editorial spread.[8] In May of that same year, Hassan was named Model.com's Model of the Week.[6] She has appeared in Vogue Italia twice, first in July 2008's Black issue where she was photographed by Steven Meisel, and then again in January 2009's Soul Kitchen issue where she was photographed by Bruce Weber.[9] She was the face of Ralph Lauren's Spring/Summer 2009 campaign.[10] Hassan has also done work with several other top designers, brands, and companies including Oscar de la Renta,[11] Rachel Roy,[5] Betsey Johnson,[12] Malan Breton,[13] Gucci,[5] Lucky Brand Jeans,[11] CoverGirl,[14] Polaroid,[11] and Macy's.[15] As of 2023, Hassan is still signed to Richard's International Model Management in Vancouver, her mother agency, and Models 1 in London.[16][17]

In March 2015, Hassan was the subject of a documentary short film titled Ubah! that was directed by Joe Berlinger and premiered on CNN.com. In the short film, Hassan discusses her upbringing in Somalia, career in modeling, and philanthropic efforts in Cambodia.[18]

Hassan is the founder and CEO of Ubah Hot, an African-inspired vegan hot sauce brand.[19] The hot sauce became available to purchase in June 2021 and was featured as one of Oprah's Favorite Things in November of that same year.[20] She appeared in the seventh episode of the first season of the Netflix reality series My Unorthodox Life, where she discussed her hot sauce brand with the show's star Julia Haart. In 2023, Hassan collaborated with Serafina, an Italian restaurant chain based in New York City, to create a specialty pizza named Ubah Hot Pizza.[21][22]

In October 2022, it was announced that Hassan was joining the cast of The Real Housewives of New York City.[23] The fourteenth season of the series, Hassan's first, premiered on July 16, 2023.[24]

Philanthropy and activism

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Hassan is involved with various philanthropic efforts. She is an Oxfam Sisters on the Planet ambassador.[25] The goal of the organization is to end systemic discrimination against women by changing laws and policies that keep women in poverty. In 2012, Hassan partnered with Oxfam to create Maji Umbrellas. The company, which Hassan was the president and co-founder of, sold umbrellas and donated a portion of the profits to clean water initiatives in East Africa.[26] Hassan was later the recipient of an Elle magazine Genius Award for her work with Maji Umbrellas.[27]

Hassan is an outspoken advocate of diversity in the modeling industry, and has encouraged companies to hire models of all races, ages, and body types.[28][5] In 2009, Hassan was interviewed by Somali model Iman for New York Magazine and discussed her experiences as a Black woman working in modeling.[29]

She works closely with footwear brand Toms Shoes' global charity and has traveled to Cambodia to give shoes and other essentials to people in need.[30][31] In the documentary short film Ubah!, Hassan is shown raising money for the Cambodian Children's Fund. She talked about feeling compelled to act and help the children there after her trip to the country.[18] Hassan also works with All Hands and Hearts, a nonprofit organization benefiting those impacted by natural disasters.[32]

In June 2023, Hassan was honored by the Gabrielle's Angel Foundation for Cancer Research for her efforts raising awareness and funds for cancer research.[33] She said she was motivated to join the cause after her mother died from leukemia in 2012.[34][35]

Hassan has modeled several times for Talbots and Dress for Success' yearly collaborative philanthropic campaign, which raises money benefiting unemployed and underemployed women around the world.[36][37]

Personal life

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Hassan is a Muslim.[32] She is a cousin of fellow model Chanel Ayan, who is one of the stars of The Real Housewives of Dubai.[38] Hassan is currently in a relationship with investment banker Oliver Dachsel, who she began dating in 2022.[39] She is an avid traveler and has said traveling is one of her favorite activities.[40] Hassan has named Oprah Winfrey, Muhammad Ali, Naomi Campbell, and Iman as being some of her inspirations and influences.[28]

References

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  1. ^ "Ubah A Hassan". Radaris. Archived from the original on 27 August 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Ubah Hassan's Birthday Party". Patrick McMullan Company. Retrieved 26 March 2015.
  3. ^ a b "Ubah Hassan - "My feet are on the ground. I know how quick you can lose something or someone."". kaonlinemagazine.com. 9 March 2010. Archived from the original on 1 April 2015. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  4. ^ a b Wakeman, Jessica (10 December 2021). "This Model Launched a Modern Hot Sauce Company with Flavors That Harken Back to Her Childhood". OprahDaily.com. Archived from the original on 10 December 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d Feiereisen, Sharon (25 April 2017). "21 Questions With… Model and Activist Ubah Hassan". thefashionspot.com. Archived from the original on 6 May 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  6. ^ a b "Model of the Week". Models.com. 5 May 2008. Archived from the original on 10 May 2008. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  7. ^ "Mwenzi Kilimanjaro Gourmet". opengovca.com. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  8. ^ Herbst, Kendall (17 July 2008). "Meet the New Girl: Ubah Hassan". The Cut. Archived from the original on 18 September 2020. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  9. ^ "Ubah Hassan". Vogue Italia (in Italian). 13 September 2010. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  10. ^ Alexander, Hilary (19 February 2009). "New York Fashion Week: Ubah Hassan to appear in Ralph Lauren collection". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  11. ^ a b c Newberry, Penny (1 February 2011). "Model Mondays: Ubah Hassan". allpeneverything.com. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  12. ^ Augustin, Camille (27 February 2013). "6 Black Models Taking Over the Runway". Vibe. Archived from the original on 6 December 2021. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  13. ^ "Malan Brenton RTW Spring 2009". Women's Wear Daily. 11 September 2008. Archived from the original on 24 June 2021. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  14. ^ Ilchi, Layla (27 August 2019). "Karolina Kurkova, Chriselle Lim, Camila Coelho and More to Speak at WWD Style Dimension". Women's Wear Daily. Archived from the original on 24 April 2023. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  15. ^ "What a Beautiful Girl Wants: Ubah Hassan". Maxim. 31 March 2017. Archived from the original on 2 April 2017. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  16. ^ "Ubah Hassan". Richard's International Model Management. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  17. ^ "Ubah Hassan". Models 1. Archived from the original on 27 August 2023. Retrieved 27 August 2023.
  18. ^ a b "Fashion Model's unlikely path to fame". CNN. 24 March 2015. Archived from the original on 25 March 2015. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  19. ^ Di Donato, Valentina (1 February 2022). "Meet The Woman With An 'Ubah Hot' Spice For Life". Forbes. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  20. ^ "Oprah's Favorite Things 2021: Ubah Hot Collection". Oprah.com. 1 November 2021. Archived from the original on 4 December 2021. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  21. ^ Rosenthal, Nicole (13 September 2023). "Real Housewives of NYC Star Launches Spicy Pizza Collab At Serafina". Patch Media. Archived from the original on 6 February 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  22. ^ "Serafina Launches Pizza Collaboration With Ubah Hassan". James Lane Post. 1 October 2023. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  23. ^ Tinoco, Armando (16 October 2022). "'RHONY' Season 14 Reboot Cast Confirmed With 7 New Housewives Including Jenna Lyons – BravoCon". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 18 October 2022. Retrieved 1 July 2023.
  24. ^ Tinoco, Armando (1 May 2023). "'The Real Housewives Of New York City' Reboot Gets Season 14 Premiere Date Post 'RHOA' In New Teaser". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 1 May 2023. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  25. ^ "Sisters on the Planet". Oxfam. Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  26. ^ Hassan, Ubah (22 March 2012). "This World Water Day, every action counts". Oxfam. Archived from the original on 12 February 2022. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  27. ^ Moody, Elyse (29 June 2012). "Young Entrepreneurs - Genius Awards 2012". Elle. Archived from the original on 2 August 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2023.
  28. ^ a b "Celebrate Black History Month: Ubah Hassan". Equinox. 22 February 2021. Archived from the original on 21 August 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  29. ^ "Off The Runway: Iman & Ubah". New York Magazine. 8 April 2009. Archived from the original on 1 October 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024 – via YouTube.
  30. ^ "Spin with Supermodel Ubah Hassan at Revolve Studios & Have Lunch After in NYC on 4/4". Charitybuzz. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  31. ^ "A Shared Journey in Cambodia - TOMS Spring 2013 Campaign". Toms Shoes. 4 February 2013. Archived from the original on 7 August 2023. Retrieved 7 August 2023 – via YouTube.
  32. ^ a b Picou, Sabrina (12 July 2023). "Ubah Hassan: 5 Things To Know About The Model & Activist On 'RHONY'". Hollywood Life. Archived from the original on 12 July 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  33. ^ "Celebs Give Back". Entertainment Tonight. 27 June 2023. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  34. ^ Goddard, Molly Claire (19 June 2023). "'RHONY' Star Ubah Hassan Reveals Why Gabrielle's Angel Foundation for Cancer Research is a Cause Close to Her Heart: 'They Have Been Relentless'". OK!. Archived from the original on 20 June 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  35. ^ Franklin, McKinley (1 October 2023). "New 'RHONY' Housewife Ubah Hassan on Her Intense Phone Fight With Erin Lichy: 'She's a S--- Stirrer, Everybody Knows It'". Variety. Archived from the original on 3 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  36. ^ Feitelberg, Rosemary (20 February 2024). "'RHONY's Ubah Hassan Talks Bravo, Talbots, and Dress for Success". Women's Wear Daily. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  37. ^ "Ubah Hassan Helps Talbots Kick Off Its 10th Annual Partnership With Dress For Success". Daily Front Row. 20 February 2024. Archived from the original on 3 May 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  38. ^ Huamani, Kaitlyn (16 July 2023). "RHONY's Ubah Hassan Reveals Advice She Received from Cousin and 'RHODubai' Housewife Chanel Ayan (Exclusive)". People. Archived from the original on 16 July 2023. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  39. ^ Hatcher, Kirsty; Greene, Jordan (25 October 2023). "RHONY's Ubah Hassan Makes Red Carpet Debut with 'Mystery' Connecticut Boyfriend Oliver Dachsel (Exclusive Details)". People. Archived from the original on 25 October 2023. Retrieved 25 October 2023.
  40. ^ "Spotlight on Ubah Hassan – Model Behavior". Galavante. 28 March 2016. Archived from the original on 31 May 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
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