Dialogue with Sarah Bahbah

“Sex & Takeout” her infamous series that brought her international recognition and fame was just the beginning. Three music videos for star DJ Kygo, a campaign with Gucci and recently starring as her own muse for the first time, Bahbah knows how to break boundaries while remaining honest, fierce and more than ever, unapologetic. Having Sarah on our cover was a choice for multiple reasons. Not afraid to speak her truths, successful on her complicated journey to finding inner peace, an inspiration to many: Bahbah is a modern icon that we can’t help but feel connected to. 
Shot in Los Angeles by Cindy Kimberly, Sarah dazzles wearing Arab designers and vintage pieces.
We spoke to the artist about art, culture, regrets and “3eib!”, her latest production that includes a lot of firsts: Arabic subtitles, evoking her origins but first and foremost, introducing herself to the world. Meet Sarah.




Muse/Sarah Bahbah
Photography/Cindy Kimberly 
Styling/Ib Abdel Nasser
Makeup/Zaheer Sukhnandan
Hair/Lauren Clark
Wardrobe Assistants/Charlie Burke & Sade Radfar
Production & Management/Between East & Lena Khouri
Interview/Cynthia Jreige

HI SARAH! HOW HAS 2021 BEEN SO FAR?

Sarah Bahbah (S.B): As good as it can be while navigating covid in the U.S. Like many others, I am spending lot of time in isolation and havenít been able to see my family for a long while. 2021 has been hard, but I can recognise I have comforts that many donít have and am counting my blessings. 
Trying to find the silver lining, I have been using this time to reconnect with myself. Iíve been taking it slow and have found a stronger sense of grounding and home within myself. 

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR SERIES “3eib!”, WHICH IS INCREDIBLY POWERFUL, ESPECIALLY FOR FELLOW YOUNG ARAB WOMEN. WHEN DID YOU HAVE THE LIGHT-BULB MOMENT OF INTRODUCING THE PUBLIC TO A SUBJECT WE HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE: YOURSELF?

S.B: Using myself as the subject in this recent series is the epitome to all the truths I have been fighting for. My art deals with vulnerability and emotional liberation, itís all part of my effort to be myself fiercely and to live boldly. At a certain point, I came to realize that there was a necessary step in my growth that I was not facing.
I was advocating for personal truths and honesty, but I was saying it all hidden behind another person. I was protecting myself out of shame and fear. I kept my body and my internal thoughts separate because I was not yet able to look at myself in complete reality.

Bustier/VINTAGE FROM LIDOW ARCHIVE
Jeans/SHE DOES IT VINTAGE

WHEN DO YOU FEEL THE MOST BEAUTIFUL?

S.B: I am most beautiful when I am FEELING myself. Like when I am lost in music and my body is dancing like melody, when I am laughing with a pure smile, or when I am truly being vulnerable and being received in that space.

YOU’VE WORKED WITH INTERNATIONAL BRANDS SUCH AS GUCCI, SHOT INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS FOR MAJOR MAGAZINES, HELD SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITIONS…WHAT IS FOR YOU THE DEFINITION OF SUCCESS AND WHERE DO YOU WANT TO TAKE YOURS, ULTIMATELY?

S.B: In defining success, there is of course an element of being able to support myself. The main way I define success is in my confidence to live my truth. To me, success is making the choice for myself, and to do this honestly will always lead me down the right path.

WE READ YOUR REALLY MOVING AND BRAVE INTERVIEW IN TEEN VOGUE WHERE YOU EXPRESSED THE CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE YOU’VE SUFFERED AS WELL AS THE PHYSICAL AND MENTAL RESPONSES YOUR BODY AND MIND HAVE HAD OVER THE YEARS. GLADLY IT ALSO MENTIONED THAT YOU’RE NOW IN A GREAT PLACE; WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE WERE THE KEY ELEMENTS ON YOUR QUEST TO WELL-BEING AND FINDING INNER PEACE? AND HOW IS “3EIB!” HELPFUL IN WHAT CAN BE AN ONGOING MISSION?

S.B: There were two key elements that brought me to this point of happiness. The first was admitting to myself that I was deeply hurting, that I was unable to care for myself, and that I needed help to set free from my struggle. The second key element was pushing myself through years of intense therapy. Therapy helped me reflect on my life and, in the process, taught me how to release myself from my restrictions and traumas.
In its place, therapy helped me set up foundations that I believe in. Because of this, everything that I choose to invest in comes from a place of intention and not obligation or fear. In this way, “3eib!” is a reminder to all the hard work I pushed myself through. This series is a marker of the moment that I totally stepped into myself as a fully realized human being.

YOU’RE SUCH AN INSPIRATION WHEN IT COMES TO EXPRESSING YOURSELF AND BEING OUTSPOKEN ABOUT THE TRAUMATIC EVENTS OF YOUR PAST; HOW DID YOU REACH THIS POINT OF CONFIDENCE TO SPEAK ABOUT ISSUES MOST PEOPLE WOULD PROBABLY NOT DARE TALK ABOUT?

S.B: Years and years of hard work, therapy, and building up self-love. Before I was at this place, I was spiraling and had reached my rock bottom. It was then that I decided that I needed to choose myself if I wanted to survive, and choosing myself meant that I needed to live honestly and fearlessly. 




Discover the rest of our interview and editorial with Sarah Bahbah in JDEED ISSUE 7 – LOVE AND DIALOGUES now out everywhere in Lebanon and world-wide on our online boutique.
Soon at all our stockists.

COVER picture/Sarah Bahbah wears a dress by MARAM
Muse: Sarah Bahbah
Photography: Cindy Kimberly
Styling: Ib Abdel Nasser
Makeup: Zaheer Sukhnandan
Hair: Lauren Clark
Wardrobe Assistants: Charlie Burke & Sade Radfar
Production & Management: Between East & Lena Khouri