Khairiah Abulaban
Khairah Abulaban: A Trailblazing Actress Defying Expectations
Photo: Instagram* @kh_abulaban
The journey of Khairah Abulaban to artistic success was anything but easy. Choosing a career in cinema meant standing against her mother’s firm opposition, overcoming fears of taking risks, and dealing with the uncertainty of being accepted by audiences. One of the biggest challenges she faced was the expectation to remove her hijab—an act that, in deeply traditional Saudi Arabia, risked sparking a wave of criticism. Today, Khairah has become an inspiration to many young Saudi women, who frequently ask her on social media how to break into the industry. Her core advice? Follow your dreams and never lose your determination, no matter how difficult the path may seem.
Photo: Instagram* @kh_abulaban
Khairah’s first step onto the big screen came with her role as Bayan in the television drama Takki. The first season, consisting of 14 episodes, garnered an impressive 30 million views on YouTube. One particular scene—where Bayan angrily confronts a group of men harassing her before agreeing to get into a car with a young man who later turns out to be her future husband’s friend—sparked outrage among conservative audiences. However, Khairah remained unfazed, understanding that it was impossible to maintain a universally positive image in the eyes of all.
"There were those who called me 'not Saudi,' saying that I had no right to portray our women through the character of Bayan," she recalled.
Despite the controversy, Takki gained recognition not only in Saudi Arabia but also at major international film festivals in Dubai, Algeria, Egypt, and the United States.
Photo: Instagram* @kh_abulaban
For some time, Khairah wore the hijab to honor her mother’s wishes. However, this later became a point of contention between them. As more directors approached her for dramatic roles requiring her to remove the traditional attire, she made the bold decision to accept. Her mother viewed this as a violation of deeply held principles. Yet, Khairah soon realized she had sparked a cultural shift—several other Saudi actresses followed in her footsteps. Over time, she reconciled with her family and some of her friends, who now take great pride in her achievements. However, she still deeply misses her father, who passed away before witnessing her rise to stardom. She firmly believes he would have been proud of her success in portraying an alternative image of the modern, talented Saudi woman.
Photo: Instagram* @kh_abulaban
Today, Khairah is a sought-after guest at the prestigious Red Sea International Film Festival, held annually in Jeddah. Her fame skyrocketed with her recent role as Affa, a young and strict schoolteacher in the drama From of the Ashes, released last year. The film delivers a gripping psychological experience, centering around a devastating fire at an elite educational institution that keeps viewers on edge, anticipating the worst. Yet, it is the depth of emotions in Khairah’s performance that commands the attention of even the most discerning cinephiles.
Photo: Instagram* @kh_abulaban
Khairah Abulaban’s career serves as a powerful testament to the necessity of sometimes challenging societal expectations—even those of the closest people in our lives—in the pursuit of cultural progress. Her courage has earned the respect of even the most steadfast conservatives in Saudi society. Yet, she remains deeply connected to her roots, often drawing inspiration from the styles and aesthetics of her mother’s and grandmother’s generations. She firmly believes that the beauty of Saudi women transcends time, remaining as enduring as ever.
Photo: Instagram* @kh_abulaban
LA REINE ARABIA Magazine