South Sudanese model Anok Yai has established herself as one of the most prominent African faces on the global stage after being named in the annual list of the 100 most influential people in the world for 2026 by Time magazine. This achievement marks another milestone in her rising career in fashion and culture.
This recognition crowns an exceptional journey, during which Anok Yai evolved from a rising face into a global icon. She has successfully broken barriers and redefined beauty standards on international runways, representing a strong and distinctive African presence.
Born in Cairo in 1997 to South Sudanese parents, Anok’s journey began unexpectedly in October 2017. While she was studying biochemistry at Plymouth State University, a photographer captured her photo during Howard University’s homecoming week. The image quickly went viral, gaining more than 20,000 likes within hours.
That sudden fame sparked competition among major modeling agencies, including IMG Models, before she eventually signed with Next Model Management.
Within just four months of being discovered, Anok made history as the first Black model to open a Prada Fall/Winter show since Naomi Campbell in 1997. She also became the first Sudanese model ever to open a show for the prestigious fashion house.
Today, she ranks among the “Top 50 Models” globally according to Models.com, and in 2025, she was crowned Model of the Year at the Global Fashion Awards—further cementing her status as one of the leading symbols of modern African beauty.
