Chanel Ayan shared a traumatic childhood experience that brought tears to her eyes on the RHODubai episode that aired Wednesday. She admitted that she was forcibly circumcised at the age of 5 against her decision. On Wednesday’s episode, Chanel was speaking to the hypnotherapists when she said:
“When I was five years old, my aunt and grandma picked us up and took us to another city. then the next morning at six. I had no idea where I was going but they took us to this man’s house and chained us to the bed while they circumcised us.
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Chanel even shared that growing up in her parents’ house was “crying, the sadness, the beatings” and “a lot of pain.” Fans were moved by her tragic revelation on RHODubai. Taking to Twitter, they expressed their support for the reality star, praising her for her tenacity and courage. Even a Twitter user who reached out to @BravoLover wrote:
BravoLover
BravoLover[email protected]
OMG Chanel. You are strong like AF and not just beautiful. Sending you love and healing vibrations! #RHODubai s1
In RHODubai Episode 11, Chanel Ayan opens up about her difficult upbringing
In episode 11 of RHODubai, at the request of Sara Al-Madani, Chanel met a hypnotherapist who urged her to talk about her prepubescent years. Chanel sobbed as she described the physical and emotional scars of her past.
“Our legs were held down. Can’t urinate. immobilized. They carried us and laid us on the grass when we wanted to relieve ourselves. My mother had absolutely no idea what was happening to us and I just had no idea what the hell was going on.
Years later, the 43-year-old model had to have her forced genital mutilation corrected by a doctor in order to have sex with her husband Christopher. She explained in the RHODubai confessional:
“I wanted to get married but I couldn’t have sex because it was stitched up. I had to go back to the doctor and open it again. I had to wait to recover afterwards.
She further added:
“I’ve made an effort to research and understand it. Why was that? Because our families must get our dowries, we must be virgins when we marry. This is shitty garbage. It’s like torture. It’s abusive.
She even told the therapist how her sister defended her when her father tried to sell her when she was 14.
As someone of Somali and Ethiopian descent, Chanel considers herself a “survivor” for overcoming her difficult upbringing. In their culture, mutilation is practiced to “keep women virgins.” Because of this, “everyone is a virgin” in their company. She informed E! News of the horrific custom still practiced in a number of nations:
“More than 28 African nations are doing this, as well as Syria, Yemen and the Middle East. Even in America my cousins and other relatives still find devious ways to abuse young girls because you don’t need a doctor. All you need is a qualified person.
She went through the mutilation 35 years ago but “never got over it”. She made it her goal to “call attention” to this “barbaric behavior” because her past still torments her. She expressed:
“I believe the trauma will be something I will deal with for the rest of my life. That’s why I want to talk about it; I really don’t want anyone else to experience this because I know how uncomfortable it is. Scores of young girls are dying, hormones are out of whack, and many women are depressed.
RHODubai fans react to Chanel’s ordeal
Fans expressed their love and support for Chanel on Twitter after hearing her speak for the “first time” on RHODubai about her tragic background and how she is using her “position to raise awareness to stop this” child abuse .
Footless Cuntessa
Cuntessa Barefoot @bitchybybravo
Wow, what a Chanel story. So terrible and unthinkable. I appreciate you sharing @chanelayan’s work. I am confident that thanks to your platform you will help a large number of people. The hashtags “#RHODXB #rhodubai 5” and “@theefrogemoji” both contain the frog emoji. I feel sorry for Chanel. #rhodubai s1
Tea for Tennis Tea for Tennis @TheTennisTea
In this season of Real Housewives of Dubai, Chanel @chanelayan is indeed the queen and shares it all with BB @ThatGirl B.
Circumcised at 5, Chanel, ugh! #rhodubai 3 1 in my heart
#SaveElephants OneLove
@NixCasi OneLove #SaveElephants Wow! Ayan Chanel, #RHODubai
KaayCee sKaayCee [email protected] my groats80
Chanel has traveled widely and donned a variety of shoes. She survived. #rhodubai s10
BravoAndBlaze
BravoAndBlaze [email protected]
The story of Chanel is so frightening and terrible. I’m crying because of that. #RHODubai s1
Shoyebi Adeola
At the end of this episode of RHODubai 3, Adeola Shoyebi @IshAdeolaSays Chanel makes me cry.
ittruthbitch
ittruthbitch [email protected] [email protected] Sharing your experience demonstrates great POWER and RESILIENCE because it is so important.
I am so sorry you had to go through this Chanel and I hope the love you are experiencing right now will help you heal. You have our love and support. ♥️ #RHODubai s12
Watch the brand new RHODubai episode on Bravo every Wednesday.