Zainab Jiwa’s recent encounter with Hollywood superstar Zendaya has taken the internet by storm, racking up 19 million views on TikTok. The 29-year-old creator, known for her creative approach to red carpet fashion, found herself in the spotlight at the London premiere of the blockbuster film The Odyssey. Dressed in a striking custom gold gown complete with a hood, Jiwa managed to turn the head of one of the world’s most famous actresses.
“She just walked past, and she saw me there. Her jaw just dropped, so did mine,” Zainab tells me. The interaction was brief but impactful: “It was just a stare-off for a minute, and she was like, ‘Oh my god, amazing, amazing,’ and then she just walked off.” For Jiwa, the moment was surreal, and she admits she is still in shock that a megastar of Zendaya’s caliber took such specific notice of her ensemble.
This high-profile red carpet presence is a stark contrast to the reality of her life in Harrow, north-west London. Before the glamour, there is the relatable chaos of a 20-something still living at home. This was 29-year-old Zainab Jiwa, calling out for help squeezing into a corset while filming a “get-ready-with-me” TikTok video. It’s a scene many 20-somethings still living at home will relate to, balancing the demands of a professional career with the domestic reality of family life.
Arriving for our interview at Broadcasting House this week, her look was on-point in an olive shirt, tie, and brooches. She is a self-confessed fashion addict, noting that her passion for style has existed “from the womb.” While Zendaya has been dominating red carpets with “method dressing”—matching outfits to a film’s themes—Jiwa is proving that independent creators can hold their own against Hollywood’s biggest names.
As a Muslim woman who wears a hijab, Jiwa often stands out on the red carpet. She views the challenge of incorporating modest wear into high-fashion themes as a creative opportunity. “Even though you’re covered, you can still find a way to be on theme,” she explains. She frequently refers to her process as “halalifying” a look, finding pleasure in proving that there are no real restrictions when it comes to personal style and expression.
Jiwa’s journey into this space began as a hobby, sharing her love for film and fashion on social media. Her breakthrough came when Disney noticed her content, offering her a junket interview for the series Moon Knight. Despite her initial fears that the offer was a scam, she has since become a full-time creator, interviewing stars like Denzel Washington, Paul Mescal, and Tom Hiddleston. She joins a growing cohort of digital creators, including Amelia Dimoldenberg and Reece Feldman, who are changing how audiences consume entertainment news.
The work is far from easy. Jiwa often receives premiere invitations on short notice, leading to a frantic rush to assemble a look and travel to the venue, sometimes via public transport. She works with various brands but keeps costs manageable by reusing items. Her outfits are designed to be bold conversation starters, such as a red gown featuring three faces wearing hijabs for the House of the Dragon season two premiere, or spiderweb henna for a Spider-Man event.
Back at home in Harrow, life remains grounded. She describes her house as “chaos,” with limited storage space and outfits often “shoved somewhere.” Her parents, siblings, and even her cat are frequent participants in her wardrobe emergencies. While her career path was not what her parents originally expected, she notes that they have become incredibly supportive of her success.
With a combined following of over one million across TikTok and Instagram, Jiwa faces the inevitable pressures of the digital age, including criticism regarding her style choices. “There’s always hate in this industry,” she acknowledges, but she remains focused on her audience. “If I’m doing it to inspire other people, or entertain other people, or educate other people, if that’s still happening, then I really don’t care about the rest.”
Looking ahead, Jiwa is eager to continue covering the film industry. “The summer’s felt good for film – I think it’s exciting,” she says, noting upcoming projects like Doomsday. Ultimately, she views her work as a way to foster community. “I think it’s a really fun way to build community. At the end of the day, I’m just a fan.”
The interaction went viral, external with 19m TikTok views.
“I put in effort today,” she says.
“I’m a bit extra, but I like to add culture in everything I do,” she says.
âThe thought of her noticing my outfit blew my mind.”
For Gladiator II, she wore gold armour.
She admits she has worried whether dressing modestly will make it harder for her to succeed in this industry, but she finds pleasure in it too.
“I have a fun time working around the fact that I cover my hair or I cover my arms,” she says.
“I enjoy that bit the most because it shows there’s no restriction really here.”
With 660,000 followers on TikTok and close to 400,000 on Instagram, she’s becoming a key content creator in this field.
But she adds: “For every negative comment, there’s so many positive ones.
For now though, Zainab is swept up in enjoying a string of blockbusters.
Comments