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Prominent Palestinian Figures in Music, Television, and Fashion

they made it big

  • Art & Culture

For 88 consecutive days, Palestinians in Gaza have been the deadly victims of Israel’s carpet bombing campaign that has claimed the lives of over 22,000 people. With calls for a ceasefire left unanswered and the international community somehow finding it difficult to address the urgency of the situation, the future of the densely-populated strip appears to be uncertain for its war-torn inhabitants.

While celebrities from all over the creative spectrum have made their stances clear, the most impactful calls for solidarity and condemnation have emanated from the high-profile figures who trace their roots back to Palestine. Leveraging their fame, reach, and influence to shed light on the shared experiences of trauma and struggle within their homeland, as those who know the harrowing reality on the ground too well themselves, their personal perspectives expose the pervasive hardships faced by their own people but also challenge the world to confront the stark realities of war.

Followed and listened to by thousands, and in some cases even millions, each plea only rings authentically louder, resonating with a global audience that can no longer turn a blind eye to the atrocities unfolding in front of our eyes. In light of their current plight, and to raise awareness in our own way of the escalating crisis, below, we’ve compiled the ultimate list of prominent Palestinian figures, from artists and activists to academics, to know and uphold on social media and IRL.

The Hadids

 

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Une publication partagée par Mohamed Hadid (@mohamedhadid)

Although Dutch from their mother’s side and born in California, Gigi, Bella, and Anwar Hadid happen to carry roots that stem from Palestine, The family’s patriarch, Mohamed Hadid, was born in Nazareth in 1948 and has claimed to be a descendent of Daher Al Omer, Prince of Nazareth, Sheikh of Galilee, and ruler of northern Palestine.

Noura Erakat

 

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Une publication partagée par Mondoweiss (@mondoweiss)

Wearing many hats as an American activist, university professor, legal scholar, and human rights attorney, Noura Erakat currently serves as an associate professor at Rutgers University. She specializes in international studies, with a keen focus on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Known for her outspoken criticism of the State of Israel, Erakat is a prominent voice in Pro-Palestinian circles. Born in 1980 to Palestinian parents in California, Erakat is also recognized for having co-founded Jadaliyya, an online magazine published in English, Arabic, and French that covers the Arab World’s political affairs, in 2010. What’s more, she is also the sibling of former YouTube star Yousef Erakat, more commonly known as Fouseytube, who enjoyed substantial amounts of popularity in the mid-2010s by boasting one of the highest subscriber counts on YouTube.
 

Mo Amer

 

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Une publication partagée par Mohammed “Mo” Amer (@moamer)

Kuwaiti by birth, American by residence, but Palestinian by blood, Mo Amer is arguably one of the funniest men from the region. Having made a name for himself across the US for his relatable humor, beyond the stage, the Houston-based comedian also acts, having notably spearheaded one of Netflix’s highest-rated series in 2022. Eponymously named Mo, the season-long show was loosely based on the 42-year-old’s own life as an Arab-American immigrant living in Texas. Today, he is recognized as a talent that not only entertains but most importantly bridges cultural gaps between people from different walks of life.

Hiam Abbas

Most commonly known for her role as Marcia Roy in the HBO drama Succession, Hiam Abbas’ endearing aura has managed to captivate audiences in the Middle East, North Africa, and beyond. Boasting one of the most impressive resumes in the industry, with more than one classic film or series under her belt, the French-Palestinian actress has notably worked with some of the most renowned names in cinema including Steven Spielberg and Ramy Youssef.

What’s more, Abbas has also managed to leave a mark in cinema as a filmmaker, having directed five projects, which all bear the distinctive signature of her talent and revered experience behind cameras. In fact, her passion for scriptwriting was successfully passed onto her daughter, Lina Soualem, who is known for a number of acclaimed titles such as Bye Bye Tiberias (2023), Oussekine (2022), and Leur Algérie (2020).

Belly

 

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A post shared by Belly (@belly)

If you were around in the 2010s, then you know that Belly was one of the main names in hip-hop. Born in Jenin and raised in Ottawa, Canada, the singer, songwriter, and record producer had a stellar moment in the US rap scene, notably securing deals with The Weeknd’s own label XO as well as Jay’z’s Roc Nation. Known for his impeccable writing skills, the 39-year-old’s name can be found in the credits of Beyoncé’s and The Weeknd’s songs.  In 2021, he memorably contributed to the songwriting process for the Weeknd’s fourth studio album After Hours, collaborating on notable tracks such as the 2019 single Blinding Lights. The song later achieved the remarkable feat of being recognized as the Billboard #1 Greatest Hot 100 Hit of All Time. Today, Belly still dabbles in music from behind the scenes, releasing projects in his own name every now and again.

Queen Rania of Jordan

 

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Une publication partagée par Queen Rania Al Abdullah (@queenrania)

If the Hadid clan claim to be the descendants of Palestinian royalty, Queen Rania is an actual royal herself— only this time in Jordan. Born in Kuwait to Palestinian parents, the 53-year-old has long used her status to speak right and do good; especially when it comes to casting a light on the plight of her own people. For decades, the Queen has been a steadfast advocate for humanitarian causes. Leveraging her influential platform to bring attention to social issues, education, and women’s rights has not only defined her role as a monarch but has also solidified her as a global symbol of compassion and diplomacy.

May Calamawy

 

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Une publication partagée par May Calamawy (@calamawy)

You might know May Calamawy from her lead role in the Golden Globe-winning sitcom Ramy, or, her name may ring a bell from her appearance in the first Arab-directed Marvel series, Moonknight. If not, don’t worry, you’ll be seeing much from her in the next few years— especially as she is set to star in Paramount’s upcoming sequel of Ridley Scott’s Gladiator. Born in Bahrain to an Egyptian father and a Palestinian-Jordanian mother, the 37-year-old has burnished her experience on big and small screens with a diverse range of roles which have all, to some extent, made significant contributions to Arab representation in cinema.

Saint Levant

 

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Une publication partagée par lover boy levant (@saintlevant)

Undoubtedly one of the most promising talents to hail from our region, young singer and songwriter Marwan Abdelhamid— who is better known by his onstage moniker Saint Levant— has experienced a meteoric rise in the post-pandemic world of music. Born in Jerusalem and raised in Gaza, the part-Palestinian artist has managed to build a repertoire that now boasts more viral hits than one can count since his debut in 2020. More than just a sought-after figure in the Arab World’s soundscape, with bars in English, French, and Arabic,  the sky is the only limit for the region’s multilingual heartthrob.

Elyanna

 

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Une publication partagée par Elyanna اليانا (@elyanna)

Many tend to compare Elyanna to Shakira, and we can’t blame them. Born and raised in Nazareth before permanently moving to Los Angeles aged 15, the Palestinian-Chilean songstress seems to carry the same energy and aura behind the mic as her Colombian-Lebanese counterpart. Recognized for her ease in writing and singing her own ballads, Elyanna has effortlessly carved a niche out for herself by blending Latin rhythms with Middle Eastern undertones. On a staunch mission to make Arabic music go global, the 21-year-old hitmaker has become a cultural ambassador as well as a pop star in her own right.

Noor Taher

 

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Une publication partagée par Noor Taher (@noortaher)

Having starred in Netflix’s hit miniseries Al Rawabi School For Girls, Noor Taher is one of the up-and-coming talents to keep a close tab on in our region. A classically trained dancer, model, as well as a promising actress, the 24-year-old multihyphenate is steadily making her way to the entertainment industry’s summits from her adoptive Jordan. Arguably one of the few faces representing the new wave of talent currently sweeping through the Hashemite Kingdom, Taher’s versatility shines through in every role, making her a true force to be reckoned with.

Michael Malarkey

 

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A post shared by michael malarkey (@mkmalarkey)

The grandson of the famous Palestinian poet, Suheil Bushrui, Michael Malarkey was born in Beirut before moving to England to study at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art. After appearing in several theater productions in London, the actor went on to star in several television and film projects, including a recurring role in The Vampire Diaries. He also appeared in Project Blue Book, Westword, and A Violent Separation. When he’s not acting, he can be found making music, with two EPs and albums under his belt.

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