< PreviousIman Vellani 20 Watchunderstand how likeable she is. And it’s just such a fun character. And I think the MCU really need her. Cosmo: What was the audition process like? IV: I literally got cast on my last day of high school, which was the perfect graduation present, considering I didn’t get one during COVID. My aunt actually got sent the casting call through a WhatsApp forward… It looked super sketchy, but I did it anyway. Cosmo: How did you react when you found out you got the role? IV: I was basically in shock for a year and a half. I’m just now processing it. My friends are like, ‘did you win the lottery? Or what happened?’ I was like, ‘basically?’ I told them, and we were just like screaming in the car. Yeah. It’s a very weird moment. I didn’t believe it. I didn’t know how to react. Cosmo: With this as your ürst role, is your dream to continue to act, or do you have other aspirations? IV: In between takes, I’m just watching people, observing people, and the acting bit is working out pretty well so far. I’m not complaining. Maybe one day [I’ll direct], I don’t know, as long as it’s a project I’m passionate about. Cosmo: Lately, Marvel has been stretching the MCU further in terms of tone and genre. How would you deüne Ms. Marvel? Do you think it had any obvious inýuences? And only at the age of 19 I NTE RV I E W BY W I LLI A M M U LL A LLY Ms. Marv el ICYMI, Pakistani-Canadian actress Iman Vellani has been cast as Kamala Khan, the main lead in the upcoming Ms. Marvel superhero movie by Disney+. The series hit regional and worldwide screens on June 8, and we caught up with the rst Muslim superhero to chat lessons from Brie Larson, how she’s handling her new found fame, and becoming the ultimate role model for young South Asian women. Cosmo: How are you processing everything so far? Iman Vellani: It’s the most surreal thing ever. I really got into comic books when I just got into high school and Marvel was the only thing I ever talked about… I was that kid who was obsessed. I’ve gotten to meet so many incredible people who are part of this project and people who are from a South Asian Muslim background because I didn’t really see many people from a creative side who looked like me doing things that I wanted to do when I was a kid. Cosmo: As a huge fan of this character, what did becoming her involve? Was it diþcult to make it your own? IMA GE : GET T Y IMA GE S /JEFF SPICER IV: It was really dif cult because I felt like I had to put on a face. I’m acting, so I have to be in character, and this is my rst character and my rst role ever. All of our creatives were using me as a great resource and just getting advice from me because the show is written by 30-year- olds and they’re writing for 16-year-old characters. ‘We want to hear about you, and about your crushes in high school, your favourite teacher’s favourite subjects. What was your high school experience?’ They brought so much of my real experiences into the show. Cosmo: Have you gotten any advice from other Marvel stars on how to handle fame? IV: Brie Larson reached out to me two days after I got the part… She’s been my greatest resource and mentor throughout this whole process. Even though she was an Oscar-winner beforehand, Marvel has completely changed her life. I just have so much love for this character. I want people to see what I saw when I picked up those comics… “I’m excited for people to se e my interpretation. I want people to Ms. on life as the fi rst female Muslim superhero 21 WatchIV: I think we really wanted to lean into that coming-of-age, corny vibe because being a kid as being a teenager is so embarrassing sometimes and cringy. We wanted to really embrace all of that. I think our show is quite self-aware about how corny it is. A lot of our inspirations come from Bo Burnham’s Eighth Grade, Ladybird, and Scott Pilgrim. When you’re a teen, you go through all your emotions, your crushes, and your friendships, and everything is so heightened. The small inconveniences feel like the end of the world. I think we really were trying to lean into that whole experience. High school is no one’s peak, but you feel like you’re on top of the world. I think what I was told at the beginning is that, when you’re a kid, you want for people to take you seriously, for people to treat you like an adult, for adults to talk to you like you’re an adult. You want to grow up so fast, but you don’t even know anything about yourself. It’s a great story about self-discovery and identity, all while having superpowers. Cosmo: Since the journey of this show is about a girl discovering herself and embracing her identity, what was your own journey in that regard? IV: Being Pakistani was a part of my life I was very dismissive about, and I felt disconnected from my culture prior to this show. I was born in Pakistan, but I moved to Canada when I was a year old. I didn’t feel like I had a connection to it. I didn’t really have any Muslim Pakistani friends. Being on the show and seeing so many Pakistani and Indian actors that I grew up watching with my family, and Sana Amanat who co-created the character was just like my big sister throughout this whole process. It was so encouraging for me to see that. I felt so far removed from the lm industry and wanted to be a part of it so badly growing up. I’m so grateful I got to work with so many women and people of colour behind the camera. I just hope that that opens a lot of doors for this industry. And I think it’s so cool that the parallels between Kamala and me, that we both went on the same journey of self- discovery, learning about our family and our heritage as the show progressed. And now I could not be prouder to be Pakistani. It’s cheesy, but it’s true. Cosmo: How does it feel to be Marvel’s ürst Muslim superhero? IV: It’s an honour and a privilege that Marvel trusts me to bring her to life, but I don’t really go to work thinking every day that ‘oh, I’m like, the rst Muslim superhero’ I’m never going to get anything done that way. The whole reason I got into the comics was that I saw in her a girl like me. She was a Pakistani-Muslim superhero fanatic. I was a Pakistani-Muslim superhero fanatic. And it was just crazy because I didn’t think a “Now I could not be prouder to be Pakistani. It’s cheesy, but it’s true.” IMA GE S : DISNEY + story like that was possible because I never really saw it before. This comic book was something that was holding a mirror in front of me and I just completely fell in love with her. But yes, I do understand how important representation was because I felt that isolation that comes with not feeling understood. As close as I get to my school friends, they’re never really going to know my experiences and I’m never going to really know theirs, but lm and television shape how we see people in this world, so accurate representation is so long overdue. I couldn’t be happier that Marvel is taking steps and being more inclusive and creating space for a character like Kamala to exist. 22 WatchThe total beginner’s guide to Marvel glossary THANOS A really bad dude. Pretty much just wanted total control of everything. THE BLIP In Avengers: In²nity War, Thanos vanished half of all life in the universe (rude). In Avengers: Endgame, the remaining Avengers brought them all back via some time- travel cleverness. This period is ‘The Blip’. WESTVIEW An alternate-reality neighbourhood Wanda Maximoff magicked-up for herself and her super-android boyf Vision in TV series WandaVision. THE MULTIVERSE Alternative universes that make basically anything possible. See Spider-Man: No Way Home for proof. LOKI Thor’s sometimes bad, sometimes good, always entertaining, adopted bro. Also had his own TV show. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Welcome to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, aka the MCU, aka the home of almost every superhero you’ve seen in spandex heard of, including the Avengers. And if you’ve been just half-watching for the muscly Thor scenes (no judgement), you should probably give a damn about the details, now that Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness is out. Is there a ridiculous number of big characters (some human, some – most? – not)? Sure. But nearly all the movies are tied together, so learn ’em at once (read: right now) and you’ll suddenly be able to get every nefarious threat and inside joke. So let’s start with the basics – and also accept the fact that you’ll probably spend your rst few Marvels googling questions. It’s ne. Because, wow, there are a lot of these films! BY E LI Z A B E TH E NTEN M A N The ones played by the Chrises Did I mention this would get confusing? The heroes and heroines More people you want by your side when stuff gets real. 1. Captain America: Chris Evans. A 1940s super-soldier who wakes up in 2011, mid-century charm still intact. 2. Thor: Chris Hemsworth. God of thunder. Has a (very heavy) hammer and knows how to use it. 3. Star-Lord: aka Peter Quill. Chris Pratt. Part human, part sort- of-alien. A little full of himself, but somehow it works. 4. Captain Marvel: Brie Larson. A badass US Air Force pilot (with powers, obvs). 5. Black Panther: Chadwick Boseman The king of Wakanda and also our hearts. 6. Doctor Strange: Benedict Cumberbatch. A former neurosurgeon pulled into the world of the mystic arts* 7. Black Widow: Scarlett Johansson. A scary-smart former Russian super-spy. 8. Spider-Man: Tom Holland. You know the basics. He’s just a kid but really wants to be an Avenger. *Opinion divided over whether he’s a hero or villain 23 WatchBolooki’s BOOKS The Inspiring Reflection: THE STORYTELLER by Dave Grohl Music aficionados will be more than familiar with Dave Grohl’s illustrious career: first as a drummer for Nirvana, later as the founder and frontman for his own band, the Foo Fighters. But The Storyteller sees him trade his guitar for a pen in what is one of the most riveting celebrity memoirs in recent years. Through thoughtful ruminations and warm bursts of wry, self-deprecating humour, Grohl looks back at the highs and lows of his life with refreshing candour. The book more than lives up to its title, as Grohl proves to be a natural storyteller, both on the page and on audiobook, where his down- to-earth style and good-natured charm really shine through. It’s an impressive offering from a first-time writer telling his story in his own words. Dhs150, Borders The Returning Favourite: LOVE MARRIAGE by Monica Ali Ten years after her last novel, Booker Prize nominee Monica Ali returns with her most dazzling novel yet. At first glance, Love Marriage may seem to be about the social comedy that can arise when two cultures clash, as a Bengali Muslim doctor gets engaged to her white co-worker. But as both sets of parents try to get to know each other and plan the upcoming nuptials, Ali pushes past the obvious and delves even deeper as she examines what it means to marry for love and the societal expectations that can come with class and race. Set in modern England, Ali has created a vivid cast of characters, each of whom has their own set of flaws. Love Marriage unfolds with incisive wit, while still remaining a warm-hearted look at how we live and love. Dhs112, bookdepository.com The One to Watch: WAHALA by Nikki May May’s book has been described as an Anglo-Nigerian Big Little Lies, and it more than lives up to this comparison. At the heart of this story lies a trio of friends who bonded through their shared college experiences: Ronke, a dentist hoping to find the Nigerian man of her dreams to settle down with. Boo, a stay-at-home mum wanting more from life, and Simi, an ambitious career woman hiding the imposter syndrome that plagues her. When Isobel arrives, a wealthy old friend of Simi’s, their once tight-knit friendship start to splinter, bringing forth the “trouble and chaos” the title refers to and leaving them more isolated from each other than ever. May alternates between each character’s point of view, resulting in four highly memorable characters, whose stories unfold with all the soapy dramatic turns of reality television — all while exploring the impacts of race, marriage, and motherhood — on the way to a shocking conclusion. Wahala is the perfect read for lazy summer days. Dhs82, Borders Ahlam Bolooki, Emirates Literature’s Festival Director, shares summer’s ultimate beach reads “Summer is fast approaching here, and with it comes the opportunity to plan what we will be reading during any of our time off. I’ve just returned from the London Book Fair, and each year I’m reminded of the impossibility of choosing the perfect reading list (or Festival programme for that matter!), especially with so many incredible new authors and books being published all the time. Luckily, as one of the hosts of the Emirates Literature Foundation’s Boundless Book Club podcast, I get to constantly explore new literature and exchange notes with my literary co-hosts and wonderful guest authors. These books have all come up as we have been planning the podcast, and I hope this list helps you plan your summer reading list. Whether your trip takes you on the beach of another country or on the sofa during a staycation with friends, these are books you need to know. PHO TOGRAPHY B Y EFRAIM EVIDOR, S T YLING B Y J ANICE CRA ST O 24 WatchThe Familiar Face: MS. MARVEL VOL. 1: NO NORMAL by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona Comics and manga have really grown in popularity over the last few years, but what writer G. Willow Wilson and artist Adrian Alphona have done with this particular character is truly very special. Kamala Khan is an ordinary Pakistani-American teenager living in New Jersey City. When a city- wide event unlocks her superpowers, this Avengers-loving teen decides to follow in the footsteps of her favourite hero, Captain Marvel, and use her newfound abilities to help her city. Wilson’s beautifully nuanced writing and Alphona’s stunning art take readers on a journey as Kamala’s introductory comic run (the first five of which are collected here) sees her navigate her new responsibilities, schoolwork, family, and friends — all while trying to figure out what doing the right thing means to her, both as a person and in terms of her Muslim faith. Ms. Marvel will be making her television debut this summer, which makes this the perfect time to pick up this critically-acclaimed coming-of-age comic series that’s perfect for the whole family. Dhs87, bookdepository.com Alphona Comics and manga have really grown in The Familiarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaccccccccccccccceeeeeeeeeeeeee:::: MS. MARVEL VOL. 1: NO NORMAL by G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Al h The Book Club Pick: THE PAPER PALACE by Miranda Cowley Heller It’s no surprise that Heller’s debut novel was longlisted for the 2022 Women’s Writing Prize. The captivating page- turner tells the story of Elle, a 50-year-old mother of three, who finds herself having to choose between a life with the husband she loves, or one with the childhood flame she would have ended up with if an accident in their youth hadn’t changed the course of both their lives. Heller skilfully alternates between what each man represents while unpacking Elle’s past and the decisions that ultimately led her to this point. Brimming with tenderness and devastating in its complexity, The Paper Palace will suck you in from the very first page and stay with you until long after the last page. Dhs75, virginmegastore.ae The Contemporary: SEA OF TRANQUILITY by Emily St. John Mandel No author has captured the surreal quality of our current times as well as Mandel has, having gone from strength to strength with each subsequent novel. And Sea of Tranquility delivers. In this almost novella-sized outing, Mandel delves into the world of time travel as she weaves together different storylines, including a young man exiled to Canada for a thoughtless mistake, a musician grieving his wife by playing violin in an old airship terminal, a detective on the hunt for clues pertaining to an anomaly in the North American wilderness, and — in what might be Mandel’s most meta move yet — an author from the Moon who is best known for her pandemic-set novel embarking on a tour of Earth to promote her book. Fans of Station Eleven and The Glass House will enjoy the references to her past works, and new readers will find plenty to love as Mandel easily renders complex ideas accessible in lyrical and sparse prose that celebrates the power of human connection. Dhs70, amazon.ae 25 WatchBEA UTY Dhs170, bloomingdales.ae PHO TOGRAPHY B Y EFRAIM EVIDOR, S T YLING B Y J ANICE CRA ST O , W ORDS B Y S ARA ALHUMIRI Spotlighting your smooch Put your lip oils aside, sisters, ‘tis the season to be bold, saucy, and compliment that dewy complexion with Gucci’s new Rouge À Lèvres Liquide Mat Lipstick. We know, we know - it’s been a while since you’ve been able to fully commit to liquid lips, but they’re of cially back and totally revamped. Infused with black rose oil, hyaluronic acid, and Vitamin E, Gucci’s latest launch will leave your pout smooth. And because it’s transfer-proof, you better believe that it won’t budge in this heat. 26As desert dwellers, we’ve got sunshine on our minds and broad-spectrum sunblock ~all over~ our bodies. One may assume that due to the perpetual endless sunny days here in Dubai there would be a plethora of suncare brands made in the region, however, they’d be sadly mistaken. That changed though when two savvy beauty entrepreneurs, Clare Maskall and Joanna Barclay, decided to shed their own light onto this burning situation. We chatted with Clare about their homegrown sun protection brand with an eco-conscious twist, SunKiss. “The UAE is one of the world’s favourite beach holiday destinations, yet no suncare brand was produced here. I used to import a brand from California, but the cost of distribution was such a waste that I looked into producing it locally. Now SunKiss is proudly made in the UAE, and we supply to many of the best hotels here.” SunKiss isn’t just another sun cream brand, though. It “occupies the sustainable- luxury market. Sustainability is at the forefront of our ethos. We are one of the few suncare brands to offer a re ll option. Our products are presented in what we call the ‘SunKiss forever bottles’ which are reusable, re llable, and recyclable aluminium.” As for the ingredients in the formulas, “SunKiss is a clean, conscious suncare brand that is kind to our skin and kind to the planet. We are very aware that plastic and toxic ingredients can be harmful to marine life, so we steer well away from these. Our highly nourishing vegan formulations are paraben-free, cruelty-free, and free from any animal testing. All our SPF products are broad spectrum, meaning they protect the skin from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays, and are also water-resistant. To top it all, our signature CocoLime scent really is summer wrapped up in a bottle.” BEHIND THE BRAND You’re about to see SunKiss everywhere This eco-conscious, homegrown suncare brand belongs on your skin this summer BY L AU R EN O’ C O NNELL IMA GE SUPPLIED B Y SUNKISS Glow sun & Body oil, Dhs160, sunkissme.com From left: dhs120, dhs140, dhs160. sunkissme.com Beauty 27NEW, NEED, NOW Glow from sunrise to sunset with the best summer beauty launches BY L AU R E N O’ C O N N E LL 1. SunKiss Coco Lime SPF Spray When two eco- conscious Dubai residents join forces to create a suncare brand, you know it’s going to be good for our skin *and* the planet. Female- founded SunKiss’ Invisible Sun Shield CocoLime SPF 50 exceeds our expectations with its powerful combination of mineral *and* chemical broad spectrum sunblocks housed in a sustainable, ‘forever’ bottle. This is exactly what we’ll be protecting our skin with all summer long. Dhs190, sunkissme.com 2. Yaskin Natural Gentle Cleanser It’s no secret we love our skincare routines. To get the most of our serums, lotions, and potions, it’s essential to start with skin that’s completely clean. That’s why we are obsessed with Dubai-based, Kuwaiti-founded Yaskin Natural Gentle Cleanser. It does the most to remove desert dust and other impurities leaving our complexions as fresh as Caroline Brook’s comebacks in The Real Housewives of Dubai. Dhs155, yaskinnatural.com 4. Fable & Mane Hair Mask It’s well-known that the Middle Eastern sun shows zero mercy on our luscious locks. To save our strands, Indian sibling-founded Fable & Mane’s HoliRoots Hair Mask is our ~mane~ treatment. This mega moisturising, vegan mask uses traditional Ayurvedic ingredients like smoothing coconut cream, strengthening banana, and nourishing mango butter. Our hair not only smells like our favourite mocktail, but the shine in our swoon-worthy tresses rivals only the gold souks at night. Dhs130, sephora.ae 3. Candle;s Sweet Orange There’s no better way to celebrate a night of JOMO than by throwing on our favourite Glossy Lounge leisurewear and enjoying the fragrant aroma of Candle;s Sweet Orange soy wax candle. This Filipina-founded UAE-based brand infuses high-quality essential oils into her hand-poured candles and feel- good affirmations onto her labels. Let the self-care commence. Prices start at Dhs40. Order via Insta DM @candlesmiddleeast protecting with all sum long. Dhs190, sunkis PHOTOGRAPHY BY EFRAIM EVIDOR, STYLING BY JANICE CRASTO 28 Beauty9. Tatcha Kissu Lip Mask Pucker up because Tatcha has *finally* landed in Dubai. We are l-o-v-i-n-g The Kissu Lip Mask. It softens, smooths, and plumps our lips with hydrating squalane and juicy Japanese peach extract. When we coat our kissers with this gel-like formula before sleeping, we’re always amazed to find it still on our lips in the morning. It’s perfect lip treatment for anyone who spends the day in air conditioning. Dhs120, apothecabeauty.com 8. Black Flamingo Pure Qasil Face Mask East Africa’s miracle skin ingredient, qasil, has landed in the GCC thanks to Black Flamingo. This earthy ingredient hails from the Gob tree and exfoliates, brightens, and softens skin. It also minimises breakouts and prevents further blemishes from occurring. We love to use the Black Flamingo Pure Qasil Face Mask not only on our face, but also our neck, chest, arms, and legs (you get the point). It’s the perfect skin prep before your next brunch. Dhs70, blacký amingobeauty.com 7. Whind Marrakech Rich Ultimate Cream Conceptualised with time-honoured Moroccan beauty rituals and topped with a warm, amber scent, it’s no surprise that Whind transports us to Marrakech with its moisturising face cream. We love the science- backed skincare ingredients in the formula. Firming peptides, barrier- strengthening ceramides, and emollient fatty acids work together to give our skin a five-star Arabian glow. Dhs300, me.whind.com 6. Ojar Forgiven Outrage Eau de Parfum Omani fragrance brand, Ojar, not only speaks to our emotions, but also our desert-dwelling souls. With notes straight outta the Middle East, like Frankincense from the Dhofar region of Southern Oman, Forgive Outrage blends our favourite regional scents with exotic incense inspired by the Japanese Khodo ceremony to create a sensual and elusive fragrance. Perfect for date nights on the Palm Jumeirah. Dhs210, ojaroþ cial.ae 5. Legology Air-Lite Daily Lift for Legs We’re contouring our cheekbones and jawlines, so why would we sleep on our legs? In the AM, we massage the female-founded Legology Air-Lite cream in upward strokes from our ankles to our thighs. The result? Smoother, softer, and less noticeable cellulite on our gorgeous gams. Bonus points for the cream’s lemon-y scent and cooling sensation. We’ve never been more excited to wear our mini-skirts and shorts than right now. Dhs500, beautysolutions-me.com 10. Rodial SPF50 Drops For anyone that feels like putting on SPF is a chore, this product is for you. Rodial’s SPF 50 Drops are a lightweight serum that instantly sinks into skin, giving our complexions broad spectrum protection from the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays. It also has a built-in blue light filter technology to protect your collagen while on a TikTok binge. Dhs300, bloomingdales.ae m 29 BeautyNext >