“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” —Walt Disney
Noor Stars, originally Noor Naim is an Iraqi Youtuber who has millions of followers across social media. She describes herself to be “a girl living her life on the internet.” Her YouTube channel is taken to be her home on the internet. However, the world around is not aware of her hardships and challenges she faced to come up to today’s level. She went from being a refugee to being a top youtuber. A businesswoman and a girl boss, Noor Stars is a real inspiration to many.
Noor had a strange childhood in Iraq. In the early days, her mom ran a business and was financially stable. Later, her mother fell sick after some family problems took place. Noor recognized herself to be the one in charge of her family as she was the eldest. Her father had left the picture and her parents got separated.
Noor has seen her divorced mother often judged, without considering any of her strength. She believes that the society often blaming her mom has made her sick. The label of a divorcee and all the blame being upon the women is a wrong notion as Noor considers it.
Young Noor moved from Syria, then to Iraq, Turkey and America, she was with her mother throughout and they were refugees. She had less control over what happened around and learned much from the experiences. In Turkey, she went for work when she was 13 or 14 years old, which was not legal but had to, for a living. Yet, she was a high-school full time student. Noor had learned English from British International School Istanbul. Later, moving to the States, it was told that basic help would be given but after that they had to find their own places. The lesson to take care of oneself and not taking anything was granted was learned by life for Noor.
In an interview with Mona Kattan, Noor shares what changed her mind about moving from one place to another. She admires Priyanka Chopra- the Bollywood star, and has also met her. Priyanka had published a book named ‘Unfinished’ which is her story. Therein, the lines describe Priyanka moving from place to place as her parents were both military doctors. It is stated in the book that her dad taught, moving is a refreshment. Meeting new people, making new friends, a different atmosphere and all is a fresh start, a fresh page. When Noor read this in the book, it also motivated her that moving to another place is a fresh start. Every country teaches something.
Noor gained weight which was an effect of the emotional and sentimental conditions as it is described. She inside her room at once, least concerned about herself. Stars were binge-eating which made her gain a lot of weight. Obesity started affecting her life and later, she lost her weight as she became famous.
Noor Stars had faced a lot of bullying on social media regarding her looks. She was stubborn in the beginning on the stand, “I am not here to please anybody.” Obesity when it started to have an effect on her was the point where she wanted to lose weight.
The girl loves makeup. It is more or less a passion for her. Content related to beauty and makeup is often posted on social media. Noor also covers sensitive subjects like menstrual cycle which is not often discussed in Arab. She stands out of the conventional system, breaking the taboos. Noor believes that it is not ‘haram’ and something that every girl experiences.
Her achievements start from receiving a silver play button, the golden and the diamond. She was a part of the closing ceremony for the Red Carpet for the 75th annual Cannes Film Festival. Her red dress caught much attention. This year, she also won the YouTube Trailblazer Award. Cosmopolitan Middle East chose her as the Arab Woman of the Year 2022. Continuing to create content for her 13 million followers, even with her recent video of unboxing a new handbag, Noora Stars win the hearts of all the 2 million who’ve viewed her reel.
