Fatima Siad of "America's Next Top Model" Cycle 10 is a aspiring model of Somali descent just like supermodel Iman. Fatima was born in Somalia and has lived in America for the past 7 years. Keep reading for more this tidbit but in the meanwhile check out her ANTM snapshots via The CW.
The 22-year-old college student from Boston had her biggest feature to date in a recent interview with "People" magazine. Fatima Siad discussed with PEOPLE journalist Pamela Warrick about her country's controversial female circumcision.
photo credit: PEOPLE.COM via THE CW
A Top Model's Nightmare
Somalian-born America's Next Top Model contestant Fatima Siad, 22, has viewers talking about more than the looks: She's speaking out about undergoing gential mutilation at age 7.
What do you hope to accomplish by talking about what you went through?
I want to be the voice for girls and women who undergo such a traumatic experience. I was told that I would be going through my rite of passage from a child to a woman. Don't get me wrong: I fully respect my culture and its beliefs. [But] I want to find better ways of ensuring the safety of these women. The reality is, many young women and girls die in the process.
How does the experience affect you today?
I thought I was just a normal Somalian woman and I never really thought about it until I came to college. [She moved to the United States with her mother at age 13.] I really educated myself, and I realized what was done to me was wrong. I had never given my consent.
What do you bring to the show?
A different type of humor and intellect. And I bring a voice representing strong women.
Check out Fatima Siad appearing on the Tyra Banks-produced show for the first time:
Already the comments about Fatima looking like Iman jumpstarted! Things that make me go hmmm...
But I love the fact she's using her platform to discuss her culture's traditions. Still want to know more about Fatima Siad? Here's the must-read links I found about her on the web....
Related links on Fatima Siad:
- FATIMA ANTM CYCLE 10
- Clips of Fatima on ANTM CYCLE 10
- Fatima's ANTM Cycle 10 on YouTube
- Top Model Gossip - ANTM Fansite
- Top Model Myspace
- Fatima's ANTM Cycle 10 snapshots
Site to Visit:
If you read my earlier post, I spoke about the Nigerian YouTube - VIEWNAIJA.COM. Because of my borderline obsession with this site, I decided to make it Feels Good 2 B Home's Site to Visit. CHECK IT OUT! And just for the kicks, check out this throwback video of Oliver De Coque's "Biri Ka Mbiri" video here. King (Dr.) Chief Oliver de Coque, for those who don't know him, is a Nigerian highlife artist.
Naija of The Moment:
- Who? Fishé
- What? Hip-Hop/rap artist
- Links, please? fishe.us
- myspace.com/fishemusic
- youtube.com/user/fishe
"Africa" is the track that I'm loving from Fishé. Check out his song:
Thoughts? Are you loving it or not?
Events & birthdays that happened on April 6th:
- 1652 - Dutch sailor Jan van Riebeeck establishes a resupply camp at the Cape of Good Hope, which eventually becomes Cape Town.
- 1994 - The Rwandan Genocide begins when the aircraft carrying Rwandan president Juvénal Habyarimana and Burundian president Cyprien Ntaryamira is shot down.
- 1970 - Olaf Kölzig, South African-born ice hockey player
- 1988 - Fabrice Muamba, Anglo-Congolese footballer
Afro/Naija News:
- FASHION IVY dishes the latest style trends out and off the red carpet.
- THE GLAMOROUS LIFE OF JENNIFER honors Sade Adu.
- CONCRETE LOOP discovers the hoopla on handbag designer Nneka Hurley.
