I had nothing: Anok Yai shares her journey from being an immigrant to global fashion model
By Katemarthason Okudo, July 26, 2026South-Sudanese American fashion model Anok Yai has opened up about her inspiring journey from growing up in a low-income immigrant family in the United States to becoming one of the world’s most recognised fashion models.
Speaking during an interview on Saturday, July 25, 2026, Anok reflected on the struggles she faced before finding success, saying her story is proof that difficult beginnings do not determine a person’s future.
The model revealed that after moving to the United States as a young child, her family had very little, and she took on different jobs before modelling changed her life.
From humble beginnings to the global stage
Anok said she arrived in America when she was about four or five years old and spent much of her childhood growing up in public housing.
Before entering the fashion industry, she worked several jobs to support herself, including cleaning, working overnight at a supermarket, serving food in a school dining hall and later working in a factory.
“I’m an immigrant. I came to America when I was about four or five years old. We literally had nothing when we arrived in the US. Before I started modelling, I worked as a maid, at a supermarket overnight, in a school dining hall and later in a factory,” she said.
She explained that those experiences shaped her character and made every achievement feel even more meaningful.
Remembering the little girl she once was
Anok recalled receiving an award and looking into the audience, where she realised how far she had come from the little girl who once struggled to make ends meet.
She said that moment reminded her why she wanted to use her platform to inspire young people, especially girls who doubt themselves.
“When I received the award and looked into the crowd, I remembered little Anok. I just wanted to inspire young Black girls who feel they are not enough and remind them that they are amazing,” she said.
She added that her message is not limited to one group, saying every young person has unique qualities that deserve to be celebrated.
Turning insecurities into strengths
The model also spoke about the insecurities she battled while growing up. She admitted that she once disliked her dark skin and slim body because of the comments people made about her appearance.
According to Anok, those same features later became the reason she stood out in the fashion industry. “I remember hating how dark I was and how skinny I was. People used to make fun of me and say my legs looked like toothpicks. Today, those same things have become my superpower,” she said.
Anok encouraged young people to embrace who they are instead of trying to fit into other people’s expectations.
She urged them to focus on their strengths, saying the qualities they may see as flaws today could one day become the reason they succeed.