Ubah Hassan is a Somali-Canadian model, entrepreneur, and reality star who has made a name for herself in the fashion industry and beyond. She is the founder and CEO of Ubah Hot, a vegan hot sauce brand that brings a taste of Africa to any meal. She is also one of the new cast members of The Real Housewives of New York City, joining the show in its 14th season.
From Refugee to Runway
Ubah Hassan was born in Somalia in 1987. She experienced the horrors of civil war and famine as a child and was separated from her mother and sisters who fled to Ethiopia. She stayed in Somalia with her father and brother until 1994, when they moved to Kenya. In 2002, she immigrated to Canada with her father and brother, where she reunited with her mother and sisters who had also moved there.
Hassan faced many challenges as a refugee in a new country. She lived in a homeless shelter for a year, learned English as a third language, and struggled with racism and bullying. She also had to deal with the cultural differences between her conservative Muslim upbringing and the Western society she was exposed to.
Hassan discovered her passion for modeling when she was scouted by a photographer at a park in Vancouver when she was 17. She started modeling locally in Vancouver and Toronto and then moved to New York City in 2007 after signing with Click Model Management.
Early Life and Background
Ubah Hassan was born on August 27, 1987, in Mogadishu, Somalia, in the Horn of Africa. She grew up in a war-torn country, witnessing violence and poverty. In 1991, her mother and sisters fled to Ethiopia, while Ubah, her father, and her brother stayed in Somalia until 1994 when they moved to Kenya.
In 2002, when Ubah was 15 years old, she immigrated to Canada with her father and brother. They were reunited with her mother and sisters who had also moved to Canada. However, the family had to live in a homeless shelter for a year before they could find a stable home.
Ubah faced many challenges as a newcomer in Canada, such as learning English, adapting to a new culture, and dealing with racism. She also had to overcome low self-esteem and body image issues, as she was often teased for being tall and skinny.
Modeling Career and Achievements
Ubah’s life changed when she was discovered by a photographer at a park in Canada when she was 17 years old. She started modeling in Vancouver and Toronto and soon caught the attention of Click Model Management in New York City. She moved to New York in 2007 and began working with some of the top designers, brands, and magazines in the world.
Some of Ubah’s notable achievements include:
- Being featured as Model.com’s Model of the Week in May 2008
- 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
- Being the face of Ralph Lauren’s Spring/Summer 2009 campaign
- Working with other renowned designers such as Oscar de la Renta, Rachel Roy, Gucci, Betsey Johnson, and Malan Breton.
- Appearing in campaigns for Lucky Brand Jeans, Polaroid, and Macy’s
- Being the subject of a documentary short film titled Ubah! that was directed by Joe Berlinger and premiered on CNN.com in March 2015
- Being featured on Forbes Africa’s cover in June 2016
- Ubah is still active in the modeling industry as of 2023. She is signed to Richard’s International Model Management in Vancouver, her mother agency.
Entrepreneurship and Philanthropy
Ubah is not only a successful model but also a savvy entrepreneur. She is the founder and CEO of Ubah Hot, an African-inspired vegan hot sauce brand that she launched in June 2021. The hot sauce is made with natural ingredients such as habanero peppers, garlic, onion, lemon juice, and spices. It can be used to spice up any dish, from pasta to pizza to salad.
Ubah Hot was featured as one of Oprah’s Favorite Things in November 2021. Ubah also appeared on the Netflix reality series My Unorthodox Life, where she discussed her hot sauce brand with Julia Haart, the CEO of Elite World Group.
Ubah is also passionate about giving back to her community and helping others. She is involved in philanthropic work such as:
- Supporting education for girls in Somalia through CARE International
- Building schools and wells in Cambodia through The Somaly Mam Foundation
- Raising awareness about female genital mutilation (FGM) through Desert Flower Foundation
- Advocating for diversity and inclusion in the fashion industry through The Diversity Coalition
Personal Life, Spouse & Boyfriend
Ubah is very private about her personal life. She has not revealed any information about her husband, boyfriend, or partner. She was rumored to be dating music mogul Jason Flom of Lava Records back in 2014, but neither of them confirmed or denied the relationship.
RHONY
Ubah is one of the new cast members of The Real Housewives of New York City (RHONY), joining the show in its 14th season. She was announced as a housewife in October 2022 and confirmed it on social media.
RHONY Season 14 started airing on Sunday, July 16, 2023. Other new series regulars include Sai De Silva, Erin Lichy, Jenna Lyons, Jessel Taank, and Brynn Whitfield.
Ubah is expected to bring her unique perspective, personality, and style to the show. She is also likely to showcase her hot sauce business and her modeling career.
Family Members
Ubah Hassan is very close to her family, especially her mother and sisters who live in Canada. She said her mother is her role model and inspiration, and that she taught her how to be strong and resilient. Ubah said she visits her family often and that they are very supportive of her career and endeavors.
Ubah Hassan has not revealed much about her father and brother who live in Kenya. She said she has not seen them in a long time due to travel restrictions and safety concerns. She said she hopes to reunite with them someday and that they are proud of her achievements.
BIO/WIKI
| Name | Ubah Hassan |
| Birthday | August 27, 1987 |
| Age | 35 years old (as of 2023) |
| Birthplace | Somalia |
| Zodiac | Virgo |
| Parents | Not publicly known |
| Siblings | Has a brother and sisters |
| Husband | N/A |
| Marital status | Unmarried |
| Relationship | Committed |
| Boyfriend | Not publicly known |
| Career | Model, businesswoman, and television personality |
| Net worth | Estimated to be around $1 million |
| Height | 5 ft 11.5 in (1.82 m) |
| Weight | Not publicly known |
| Hair Color | Black |
| Eyes color | Brown |
| Education | Graduate |
| Alma mater | N/A |
| Ethnicity | Somali |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Religion | Muslim |
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| @UbahHassanOfficial | |
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| Wikipedia | Ubah-Hassan |
| Homepage | Dreshare.com |
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