Meet Nejm: The Tamil Model Who Taught Bharatanatyam to Rihanna
Who is Nejm, the Tamil model who taught Bharatanatyam mudras to Rihanna?
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Nejm, a Tamil model and influencer from Tamil Nadu, India, gained attention for teaching pop star Rihanna Bharatanatyam mudras during her recent visit to India for the launch of Fenty Beauty. Nejm, who has over 680,000 Instagram followers, aims to represent South Indian women in the fashion industry.
- 01Nejm taught Rihanna Bharatanatyam mudras during her visit to India.
- 02She is a Tamil model and influencer with a significant social media following.
- 03Nejm won the Vogue Model of the Year award in 2025.
- 04She aims to represent South Indian women, challenging conventional beauty standards.
- 05Nejm's name means 'real' in Tamil, reflecting her authenticity.
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On April 24, 2023, global pop star Rihanna visited India for the launch of her beauty brand, Fenty Beauty. During her trip, she learned Bharatanatyam mudras from Nejm, a Tamil model and influencer, who shared videos of the interaction that garnered over 5.6 million views on Instagram. Nejm, who has over 680,000 followers, is known for her advocacy of South Indian beauty standards, having won the Vogue Model of the Year award in 2025. She aims to represent women who are dark-skinned, curvy, and strong, challenging the conventional beauty norms prevalent in the media. Nejm's journey into modeling began unexpectedly when a date encouraged her to pursue it, leading to significant opportunities in Mumbai. Through her platform, she celebrates the beauty of South Indian women, emphasizing that health and strength come in diverse forms.
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Nejm's rise in the modeling industry could inspire other South Indian women to embrace their identities and challenge beauty norms.
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