Halima on being one of the ‘lucky ones’ to leave her refugee camp

Halima Aden is undoubtedly a remarkable human being.

Since winning the Miss Minnesota USA pageant for years ago, where she was the first contestant in the pageant to wear a burkini and a hijab, Aden has walked the catwalks of some of the biggest fashion brands in the business, graced the covers of many big-name magazines and become a role model to so many across the globe.

In our exclusive interview with the Pandora ambassador, Aden opened up about the pressure she does feel on being a role model to so many.

“I know that I am one of the lucky ones who was able to leave my refugee camp and resettle in a place like the USA having the opportunity to chase the American Dream,” she admits. “Most who live in refugee camps will never be able to say that.”

However, Aden also prides herself on being a role model, taking it very seriously, always wanting to be there to inspire young women with her story.

“Being a role model is important to me, not just to the young girls in my Muslim or Somali communities, but to those who can relate to any part to my story,” she says. “I feel very fortunate to be in this position and while it comes with an enormous amount of responsibility, at the end of the day, the best I can do is to just do me and be myself.”

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