Rhea Jacobs: 'Being a Small Brown Girl Doesn't Make Your Dreams Any Less Valid'

by Barbara Yakimchuk

Rhea Jacobs: 'Being a Small Brown Girl Doesn't Make Your Dreams Any Less Valid'

24 May 2025

You know, I met a girl — and she is honestly like someone straight out of a classic Disney cartoon. She teaches us to follow our dreams (and probably sings with birds too, though I can't confirm that part).

But as effortless as that might sound, it is actually a big challenge — to keep believing in yourself when everything, from schoolmates to societal norms, seems to be against you.

In our conversation, Rhea opens up about being bullied at school, shares behind-the-scenes stories from her favourite shoots, and talks about her beloved brand — which, incredibly, was born from deep personal grief. All of that — just below.

— So let's start with a quick introduction for those who may not know you. How do you usually introduce yourself?

— I am Rhea Jacobs — an entrepreneur, author, model, and digital creator based in the UAE. I am also the founder of Rhé, a wellness brand I launched last year.

I grew up here in the UAE — went to school and university here — and hold a Bachelor's degree in Fashion. Coming from an Asian background, there was always a strong expectation to get a degree — it was seen as the foundation for everything. So at the time, I think I pursued it partly to make my parents proud. But looking back, I am really glad I did. It gave me a creative structure and helped me develop a deeper appreciation for fashion.

— Even though you studied fashion at university, I know you were connected to fashion long before that. Can you tell me more about it?

— Yes, absolutely. My love for fashion actually started well before university, and it was all thanks to my mother. She worked in fashion too — she was a head of the merchandising team and collaborated with brands like Old Navy and Gap when they were producing clothing here.

As part of her work, she would bring home stacks of fashion magazines — Vogue, Harper’s BAZAAR and others — I was really young then, but I remember being completely fascinated. I would flip through the pages and see these incredibly confident, elegant women. I looked up to them — just like I looked up to my mother and grandmother, who were both strong, inspiring women. I remember thinking, "Wow, she looks amazing. I want to be like them one day."

But over time, I realised that no one in those magazines looked like me. That hit me. I began to wonder, "Does that mean someone who looks like me does not belong there?" I think that question sparked something in me — and that is really when my journey with fashion began. It became more than just an interest; it felt like a mission to be seen.

— So it sounds like you are really close to your mother. Was she a big role model in your decision to go into fashion?

— Absolutely! And she once told me something that I now share with every young girl I meet.

One day, I was talking to someone about my dream of working in fashion and being featured in magazines, and their response really stuck with me. They said, “Be realistic—someone like you can't be in a magazine.” It was so blunt and dismissive, and it really hurt.

I went home completely frustrated and asked my mother, “What do I need to do to look like the girls in these magazines?” I genuinely believed I had to fit into that mould to be accepted — or even to chase my dream.

That is when she said something that changed everything: “The world already has someone who looks like her. What it needs is someone who looks like you.”

At that moment, I realised I didn't need to be six feet tall like Naomi Campbell. I am a small brown girl — but that doesn't make my dreams any less valid.

— That is a beautiful message. But, as I know, this was not just a one-time thing. The bullying continued for quite a while, did not it?

— Yes, it did. I was bullied quite a bit, especially during middle school. I think at that age, most kids don’t really know who they are yet, so it is easier to pick on someone who is different rather than accept that difference.

Looking back now, I honestly feel that if I had not gone through those experiences, I might not have developed the same drive to become someone — to prove something, even to myself.

When life is smooth, you live in a bit of a bubble. You are comfortable, so there is no real push to grow or challenge yourself. But when difficulties show up, they either break you or shape you. I have grown into someone who simply says: "This is me — take it or leave it."

— And how about now? Do you still face anything similar today?

— Now, I don't let it affect me. As a child, you absorb everything like a sponge — there is no filter, no reasoning. But as an adult, you gain perspective. I know my worth. So if someone says something negative, I usually think — maybe they are going through something themselves and just need to let it out. I have learned not to internalise other people’s pain. That is the wisdom that comes with growing up.

And I do think the industry has changed a lot. There is so much more acceptance now. When I got booked for Marc Jacobs, they wanted me because I looked like me—they did not try to change or mould me into someone else. Even on set, they would say things like, “Just be yourself. That is exactly why we chose you.”

And that hit differently. You know, when your mother says something like that — it is one thing. But when a major global brand says it, you really feel seen. Validated. I am so grateful that Marc Jacobs was my first real experience in the fashion world because it set such a positive, empowering tone for everything that followed. It gave me a solid foundation.

— That is great. Let's move to your modelling career. How old were you when you started modelling?

— I think I was in my final year of university, so probably around 23 or 24. My first professional shoot was when I flew to New York for the first time — I had never been to the United States before. I asked if I could bring my mum along, and they were like, “Are you sure?” But she came with me, and I remember her being there during the audition, cheering me on like, “You are doing great, sweetie!”

— In your latest public speech, you said big results come step by step. Can you share the key steps that shaped your modelling career?

— Yeah, I definitely see it in stages. The first big step for me was acceptance. I realised early on that I did тщt fit the typical mould agencies or brands were looking for — and instead of letting that discourage me, I decided to own it. My unique selling point was being different.

So, I had to get really clear on who I was: What is my voice? What is my style? What do I believe in? And I had to be vocal about that. Especially since I dress modestly — I don't show a lot of skin — and that alone sets me apart in the industry.

The next step was becoming the best version of that person. I worked on myself — physically and mentally. In modeling, you need to be fit, take care of your body, and know how to present yourself well, especially in front of the camera for video campaigns. So I focused on developing all of that.

And once I felt grounded in who I was, I started sharing my work and showing people what I stand for. That way, when someone books me, they are not just booking a “look”—they are booking me.

— During your latest public speech, you mentioned that big results come step by step. Could you share the key steps that shaped your modeling career?

— I would say start with the basics: work on your posing, confidence, health, skin, and overall presence. But alongside all that, take time to identify your voice.

Ask yourself: Who am I as a model? What do I bring to the table? Why would a brand like Chanel or Dior book me specifically? You can not walk in thinking, “I am the most beautiful girl in the world — that is why they will choose me.” There are so many beautiful girls out there. The real question is — what makes you different?

Even take someone like Angelina Jolie — she is stunning. But we know her because she is a humanitarian, an incredible actress, and a mother. Her beauty is just one part of her identity.

Of course, looks matter — it is a visual industry. But what makes someone stand out, what makes people remember you, is that extra something. That voice. That story. That truth.

— I was looking through your covers — they are incredible. Each one is so different. Do you have a favourite?

— That is a hard one! But I think one of my favourites is an editorial I did with Vogue Arabia. It was a jewellery story, featuring a homegrown UAE brand — Alfardan Jewellery. It just felt like everything aligned — the styling, the brand, the story, and how I was presented.

It was a beautiful shoot. I went in not expecting anything too major, but after the shoot was done, the editor-in-chief gave me a six-page spread. That is huge for Vogue Arabia.

— Now I am super curious — what does a typical modelling day actually look like?

— It really depends on the shoot. Let me give you an example. There was a campaign I did for Bloomingdale’s — it was featured in Dubai Mall. For that one, we had to arrive on set around 5 or 6 am because they wanted to capture that early, fresh sunlight.

I can't eat super early, especially at 5 or 6 in the morning — I just don't want to feel bloated. So I usually sip hot water. I am actually not a coffee person — it doesn't sit well with me in the mornings. Not for skin reasons, I am just not addicted to it. So I will usually go for a herbal tea and something light but nourishing, like avocado or eggs — healthy fats that give me energy without being too heavy.

We typically start with hair and make-up — that takes around an hour and a half, including styling. Then we go straight into shooting. Sometimes the shoot lasts half a day, but it can also run until 8 pm or even later. It all depends on the team — how many looks there are, how long each one takes, whether they want to catch specific lighting like sunrise or sunset.

— And what if, for example, they do your make-up and it does not feel right to you? Do you speak up?

— Oh yes, definitely.

— So you are also involved in that part of the process, right?

— I mean, technically, you aren't always involved. As a model, you are often treated like a canvas — the creative vision belongs to the team. But that said, if something feels off — like the foundation shade is not right — I will speak up. Especially as I am brown, and I have had situations where the shade was completely wrong.

I usually bring my own foundation just in case. Because at the end of the day, when the photos come out, no one says, “The team got the make-up wrong.” They say, “Why does her make-up look bad?” So it is on you — and that reflects on the entire team. The make-up artist, stylist, photographer — everyone is working hard. So it os important to be clear from the start.

One more example For example, as I mentioned, I don't wear revealing clothes, so I always make that clear beforehand. Because if you say it on set and the stylist suddenly has to change the whole look, it can delay everything. So you have got to talk about these things in advance — what you are okay with, and what you are not.

— What would you say are the top three things you have taken from those experiences?

— I think the number one thing is: be who you are, unapologetically. Do not be afraid to show your true self. Because at the end of the day, people connect with authenticity.

The second would be: do no take "no" for an answer. If someone says "no", that doesn't mean the dream is over. Maybe someone else will say yes. Maybe the timing just isn't right yet. I always say — believe in your dreams, even if it feels a little delusional at times. That kind of boldness is what makes things happen.

And the third? Problem-solving. Life will always throw challenges your way. You can't just sit there thinking, “Oh no, there is a problem.” You have to shift your mindset and ask: “What can I do about it?” I use that every day as a business owner. Because let’s be honest — running a business is hard. Things will go wrong. But I try to focus on solutions. It is about never letting the problem control you — you take control of the problem.

— That is such a strong mindset. I know you have recently launched your own wellness brand. How did it all begin?

— Honestly? Launching a brand was never the plan.

It started during Covid — a really dark time in my life. I had just lost my grandmother, who I was incredibly close to, and I was struggling mentally. Then the pandemic hit, and everything felt even heavier. But I have always believed that if there is a problem, I have to find a way to fix it.

So I turned inward. I remember going on Instagram and creating this little highlight — I started a 30-day “mind, body, and soul” challenge — not just for myself, but hoping it might help others who were struggling too. Every day, I did something different — yoga, mandala drawing… and then one day, I tried journaling.

Now, I had never journaled before. I did not really get how it could help. Like — how does writing something down actually heal you? But I came across this prompt: “What does your inner child need to hear to heal?” And I thought, okay, maybe I will write a sentence or two.

I ended up writing ten pages. Ten pages of things that had been sitting inside me, unspoken.

That is when I realised — trauma doesn't just disappear. You carry it in your body, you store it without even knowing. Journaling felt like opening a door. After that, I couldn't stop. I kept writing, kept healing.

And it helped me so much that I thought: there must be other people who need this too. That is how the brand started. No big business plan, no fancy marketing strategy — just the pure intention to help others feel better, like I did.

— How did the name of the brand come about?

— The name, as a brand itself, came to me in the middle of nowhere. I was talking to my mother and said, “I want this to be like a ray of light for people.”

And she just said, “Well, that is your brand name!"

So I played around with the words, added a personal touch, and that was it. It was born from a very real place. No strategy — just a need to heal, and the hope that it could help others do the same.

— Many people, including yourself, often turn to journaling during difficult times — almost as a last resort. So how do you promote it as something people should start doing in advance, not just in a crisis?

— I will say it in a really simple way:

Do you want to take the last-resort medicine when you are already sick? Or do you want to eat healthy, work out, and take care of yourself daily so you do not need the medicine in the first place?

Journaling is like that. It is not something you should wait to do only when a big problem hits. Unfortunately, I had to learn that the hard way — because I did not know about these tools back then.

But now I truly believe that no one is ever fully “healed.” Life happens every day, and we carry that with us. Journaling helps you process things — not ignore them. You don't need to do it daily — even once or twice a week can make a difference.

It is about checking in with yourself. We play so many roles — daughter, partner, businesswoman, friend. We are always showing up for others, and we forget to ask, “How am I doing?” And that is where journaling steps in. It is not about external validation like we are used to on social media — it is about internal validation.

You write what you feel. You give yourself the space to listen. And with Rhé of Light, even if you have never journaled before, we guide you. Each day has a simple prompt. You do not need to overthink it — just read the question and answer from the heart. Thats it.

And over time, it becomes a beautiful act of self-care — not a last resort.

— What is your life motto?

— There is one phrase I always come back to: Never let your worth be measured by something as common as a number.

In today’s world, we let numbers define us — age, weight, bank balance, followers. But numbers constantly change. Your self-worth should never be tied to something that fluctuates. It should be built on your values, your family, your goals.

— And now my final question: I recently saw your Instagram post where you asked your followers, “When was the last time you did something just because you enjoyed it?” So now I am asking you: When was the last time you did something you truly enjoyed?

— I actually make it a point to do something for myself once a week. Saturday is my day.

Just last Saturday, I took my dog to the dog park — we played and just hung out. It was so much fun. It’s always the simple things, you know? That’s what brings the most joy.

Sometimes I do pottery, sometimes I paint, or I try new food — I love discovering little food spots. But Saturday is the one day where I prioritise joy. And I think we all need that.

by Barbara Yakimchuk