Leah Kateb Just Dropped a Fragrance Inspired by Persian Culture—and It’s So Personal

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One’s longevity within the cultural highlight submit–Love Island USA is all the time a little bit of a toss-up. But there isn’t any denying that season 6 runner-up Leah Kateb has made a lasting title for herself within the reality-star-turned-celebrity pipeline. Since her run on the present resulted in July 2024, she’s been busy sitting entrance row at luxurious vogue reveals (together with Roberto Cavalli and Off-White, to call a few), starring in a Love Island spin-off along with her associates and castmates, and gracing pink carpets alongside her villa associate and now boyfriend, Miguel Harichi.

As of final summer time, Leah has additionally firmly planted herself within the magnificence business because the inventive director and refounder of unpolluted fragrance model skylar (it occurs to be a longtime favourite amongst Cosmo editors). In her new position, she’s deeply concerned in reimagining Skylar and targeted on weaving private storytelling into each bottle. With her sophomore launch, which means paying tribute to her Persian roots. Meet her newest scent: Pomegranate Princess.

Debuting at Sephora on March 21, Pomegranate Princess is a fruity gourmand that pays homage to Leah’s Iranian heritage—her dad and mom immigrated to the United States from Iran earlier than she was born. In Persian tradition, the pomegranate (often known as “anar” in her first language, Farsi) symbolizes “regal beauty, abundance, and femininity,” Leah advised me on a name whereas mountain climbing with Miguel and her beloved canine Blue. “I love the fruit so much, and it’s present in so many Persian dishes and traditions.”

The timing is intentional: The launch coincides with Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which represents regrowth, fertility, and rebirth—all themes the perfume embodies. “Nowruz is a time of renewal and honoring where you come from, which is exactly what this drop represents,” she explains.

Like many first-generation Americans, Leah says her appreciation for her background did not all the time come simply. “I grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood, and my first language wasn’t English. I was teased for everything from my accent to my family member’s names,” she says. “I felt like I didn’t fit in. Even something as small as the lunch I brought to school made me feel embarrassed.”

Now, at 26, seeing her Persian identification mirrored on Sephora cabinets—alongside a number of the largest perfume homes—means the whole lot. The pomegranate, particularly, has lengthy been a by means of line in her life. “Every house I’ve ever lived in has coincidentally had a pomegranate tree,” she says. Naturally, she knew it needed to be the star of this scent.

Amid the continued violence and unrest in her household’s house nation, Leah feels this perfume arrives at an crucial second. Months after 1000’s of Iranian protesters had been killed within the streets of Tehran and as assaults proceed to escalate, she has used her platform to advocate for the individuals of Iran. Earlier this 12 months, she shared a carousel of photographs on instagram: “My parents were lucky enough to escape during the revolution, but my family is still there fighting. Iran is not its government. Iran is its beautiful people.” A portion of the proceeds from Pomegranate Princess will assist animals, households, and youngsters in want in Iran. “This perfume isn’t just a celebration, but a way to give back,” she says.

Leah hopes that Pomegranate Princess introduces a broader viewers to the fantastic thing about Persian tradition, whereas additionally giving the Iranian group a second to really feel seen and celebrated. She’s already witnessing that affect firsthand, telling me that followers have approached her in Los Angeles to share how proud she makes them really feel to be Persian. “When girls tell me they’re proud of where they come from because of me—how they look, how they see themselves, their culture—that means everything,” she says. “It’s something I wish I had growing up.”

During Leah’s time on Love Islandthe web dubbed her the “People’s Princess” to convey authenticity and realness to the villa. Ironically, with out entry to her telephone, she assumed viewers felt the alternative approach about her. “When we were creating this scent and my team came up with the name Pomegranate Princess, it was just a perfect fit,” she says with a snort. “I’ve been called many things, but the one I hold closest is the people’s princess.”

As for her real-life princess counterpart? Snow White. “I feel like I embody her—animals always flock to me. Even in the villa, birds would come and just sit with me.”

When requested to explain Pomegranate Princess in simply three phrases, Leah lands on: fruity, stunning, and a blessing. This is not simply a perfume launch. It’s a celebration of her roots, identification, and the enjoyment she needs others to really feel in embracing who they’re. “Middle Eastern people, especially women, have long been misrepresented. But our culture is rich, beautiful, and something I carry with immense pride.”

This interview has been frivolously edited for size and readability.

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