Amazing Transformation of 'The Black Pearl Supermodel' Anok Yai — 35+ Photos

From refugee to viral campus photo to high fashion runway star, this supermodel later revealed a hidden health battle before returning to the spotlight.

Anok Yai didn't break into fashion overnight. Her early years were quiet, shaped by frequent moves, school, and a sense of distance from the world she would later enter.

One photo changed everything. It didn't bring instant fame, but it marked the start of a transformation that unfolded year by year through public images. Some of it came later, in her own words, including a serious health diagnosis she shared while still active in fashion.

Early Life in America

Yai was born in Cairo, Egypt, to South Sudanese parents. In 2000, her family came to the United States as refugees after fleeing the Sudanese genocide. They arrived first in New York City, then relocated to Manchester, New Hampshire, where they received government housing and assistance.

Her parents worked long hours, often 12 to 16 hours a day, to support their five children. In a March 2021 Forbes interview, she explained:

"Basically, my parents were raising me and my older sisters, and me and my older sisters were raising the younger ones. Being an immigrant, the struggles that they face are immense."

She described herself as shy and often detached from her peers. "I was the kid in the corner who didn't talk to anybody," she said. "I never really had a set friend group. I was more of a floater. I was always on the outside looking in."

Still, she carried an inner certainty. "I always knew I was meant for bigger things than the small town that I came from," she stated. "I think that allowed me to feel comfortable with my separation from my peers."

That quiet sense of direction would carry her into a moment that changed everything.

How It All Began

In October 2017, photographer Steve Hall, known on Instagram as TheSUNK, shared a portrait of Yai taken during Howard University's (HU) Homecoming.

She stood in the center of the frame, wearing a sheer black top and denim shorts, her expression poised and calm amid a bustling crowd. His caption was simple: "Discovered a gem." The image gained rapid attention.

At the time, Yai was studying biochemistry at Plymouth State University and had traveled to HU to enjoy its famed homecoming weekend. "I first saw the photo after my phone started getting the notifications," she told Vogue in November that year.

Growing up, she was drawn to art and fashion, often watching shows like "America's Next Top Model," but the path into the industry felt out of reach. "I always was inclined to do art and fashion, but I didn't know how to get into the industry," she said.

In her Vogue interview, she also spoke about using her platform to support young women in science and technology. "Women aren't always raised to be as great as they can possibly be," she shared. "They're told to care about more how they look and be extremely feminine. [As a result,] science, math, and technology are still considered male jobs."

During quieter moments in her demanding schedule, Yai turned to painting, a creative outlet she had loved since childhood. "I do oil on canvas mostly," she said.

2018: Fashion Ascent

Yai's rise in fashion accelerated. She appeared at major events, walked top runways, and was frequently photographed both on and off duty.

Whether styled for red carpet galas or caught in street style moments, she drew attention for her poise, versatility, and growing influence across editorial and commercial fashion.

By this point, she had become more than a model. "Anok is one of the most powerful and beautiful models of our generation, and having her embody this collection is a dream," noted designer Ludovic de Saint Sernin. "She commits to a vision like no one else."

Soon after, Yai's path into fashion took shape.

2019: Style and Spotlight

Yai's presence in fashion only grew stronger. From commanding the runway at Versace in Milan to turning heads at the Met Gala, she proved her ability to own both couture and street style.

Whether dressed in bold textures and feathers or casual denim and crop tops, her fashion choices made statements everywhere from Paris to New York. That same year, her Halloween look at Heidi Klum's party sparked buzz online, showcasing her flair for transformation and drama.

Even as her star rose, Yai's evolution was far from complete. What followed in the following year would mark a deeper shift.

2020: A Bold New Phase

Yai continued to prove she was a force in fashion. She dominated runways and redefined street style. At Paris Haute Couture Week, she walked for Valentino in a sculptural look that blended elegance with power.

In New York, she appeared after the Longchamp show with a cropped afro and fierce gaze, turning heads both on and off the runway. Her street style during Fashion Week featured bold sunglasses, camouflage pants, and signature confidence. She moved effortlessly between high fashion and edgy streetwear.

The momentum was building. In the year ahead, a new chapter would take shape in striking ways.

2021: Style, Strength, and Star Power

Yai continued to rise in both fashion and pop culture. Her red carpet looks stood out for their bold style and attention to detail. At the Met Gala, she wowed in a sparkling crystal gown. She kept the momentum going at the CFDA Fashion Awards in a sharp white blazer dress that showed her range.

In Paris, she made a statement in a cheetah-print mini dress, and at "The Matrix Resurrections premiere," she turned heads in a sleek red outfit with a short, futuristic hairstyle.

Anok Yai was no longer just rising. She had arrived. And what followed would take her even further.

2022: Owning Every Look

Yai stood out even more in fashion. At the Met Gala, she wore a bright pink sequin gown with bold cutouts and gloves. The look was daring and unforgettable. On the runway for Ann Demeulemeester, she wore a sharp black outfit that showed her strong and elegant style.

At the CFDA Awards, she wore a simple black dress with a gold choker that made her look powerful and graceful. For W Magazine's 50th anniversary, she chose a white feathered coat and wide-leg pants, paired with big curly hair. It was bold, fun, and full of personality.

What came next would push her presence even further, into a new phase of artistry and influence.

2023: Shaping Icon Status

Yai stepped into the spotlight with bold style and focus. On the runways of Milan and Paris, she delivered powerful looks, from a flowing pink fringe dress at Roberto Cavalli to a soft floral moment at Chanel.

At the Wall Street Journal Innovator Awards, she brought a sleek and sculptural vibe, showing her eye for modern elegance. Later, in London at The Fashion Awards, she wore a sheer, sculpted dress that grabbed attention and sparked conversation.

Each moment revealed more of her range and creative voice. A new year was just around the corner, ready to open more doors.

2024: Commanding Style

Yai took her style game to the next level. She started the year at the Vanity Fair Oscar Party in a deep purple gown and a sleek pixie cut that showed off her bold style. At the Met Gala, she wore a dazzling blue crystal bodysuit that had everyone talking.

Even her everyday looks stood out. In New York City, she was seen in a bright red mini dress holding fresh flowers, blending street style with confidence. Later, at Vogue World in Paris, she walked the runway in a red, white, and blue gown with a hood, owning the moment with her signature presence.

While Yai continued making bold statements in fashion, something much more private was happening behind the scenes.

2025: Composure Through Challenge

Yai showed just how much power one person can hold, not just in fashion, but in life. She lit up the runway at the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show in pink feathers and silver lingerie, walked in Milan and Paris for fashion week.

She also turned heads at The Fashion Awards in London with a sculpted cream gown and fresh bob. Her high-fashion looks were bold, fierce, and unforgettable.

But behind the beauty and the spotlight, the supermodel was quietly dealing with a serious and growing health battle that few knew about.

On December 20 that year, Yai opened up on Instagram about what she had been facing. "For the past year I've been dealing with this silent battle," she wrote.

Yai explained that doctors had incidentally discovered a congenital defect that was placing extreme stress on her heart and slowly damaging her lungs. For much of her life, the condition had shown no symptoms.

But over time, she began experiencing a persistent cough, chest pains, and episodes of coughing up blood. Eventually, she found herself struggling just to breathe.

Despite her worsening symptoms, she kept working while searching for answers. She admitted that she tried to push through, hoping to find the right doctor at the right time.

However, she soon realized that waiting any longer would put her health further at risk. "Ive [sic] always thought I could outwork or outrun anything, but the universe has a way of slowing you down and waking you up," she said.

Yai underwent robotic lung surgery. It was performed by Dr. Robert Cerfolio, with support from Dr. Harmik Soukiasian and care teams at Beverly Hills Concierge Health and NYU Langone. In her post, she thanked every nurse, doctor, and team member who helped her get through it.

She ended her post: "And thank you to my friends and family for being the first thing I saw when I woke up For now I'm healing … but I'll be back See ya ❤️."

Amid her health challenges, people continued to follow Yai's journey, waiting to see what would come next.

A Stylish Comeback

Her return to fashion quickly drew attention. In a 2026 campaign for Mugler's Alien Pulp fragrance featured Yai in a commanding pose, her skin glowing against a surreal backdrop.

The brand described the look as "Temptation reincarnated." Shot by Elizaveta Porodina, the ad sparked a wave of praise online. One commenter wrote, "This is a piece of art in human form 🖤👏." Another said, "She looks like a painting 😍." While a third remarked, "So alienated !!!! 💜💜💜💜✨️🥹." Someone else simply asked, "Do you really exist ma'am?"

These weren't just compliments. They were reflections of how people saw her, not just as a model, but as something rare, strong, and deeply human. What they saw in Yai was not a fantasy. It was a story. A real one, told in images, and lived frame by frame.