How Dubai Bling's Danya Al Mulla transforms fame into entrepreneurial success

She may serve designer looks and Netflix-level drama on Dubai Bling, but Danya Al Mulla isn’t just here for the glam. As a reality star, renowned socialite, and social media influencer, she’s turned fame into a sharp entrepreneurial platform — transforming followers into customers, casual ideas into brands, and Instagram aesthetics into serious revenue.

Danya flashes a knowing smile when asked about her transformation from content creator to business mogul. “I think a lot of people misunderstand what content creation really is, but it is, by itself, a business,” she explains. YouTube was her first hustle, turning creativity into income long before it was trendy to call yourself a ‘creator’.

A trip to New York while still at university was a catalyst. “The hustle culture there really inspired me,” she says. That energy sparked her first tangible business: a streetwear cap line called BYD, heavily influenced by her culture. “It wasn’t about making millions, I simply wanted to learn how business works and enjoy the process,” she reflects.

That early entrepreneurial instinct has shaped her approach ever since. “People tend to think of business as owning a restaurant or a company,” she shrugs, “but really, a business is anything that generates income, and for me, that started with content creation.”

While her ventures span wildly different industries, from BYD’s culturally infused caps to The Picnic, which offered curated beachfront setups with Dubai’s skyline as a backdrop, and now the much-hyped Besties Café, Danya insists her father’s teachings keep her anchored. “My father always taught me to stay true to my values, morals, ethics, culture, and religion. No matter what I do, whether it’s a reality show, a business venture, or a fashion show, those principles are ingrained in me,” she says.

That foundation guides her as she navigates an industry driven by trends and appearances. “You have to keep up with new platforms and trends, but the most important thing is to stay authentic and true to yourself. Don’t try to copy others, just be who you are, and your audience will resonate with that,” she advises.

Staying ahead means not just knowing your competition but also what makes you distinct. “There’s no such thing as a perfect business, mistakes and failures happen, but as long as you learn from them, you grow,” she says with characteristic candour.

When Besties Café was born, it was an inside joke between Danya and her best friend and partner-in-crime, Ibrahim. “We joked about opening a café called Besties Café on the show, then we thought, why not? And now it’s one of the most successful cafés in Dubai,” she beams. The café’s Al Seef location wasn’t accidental either. “It’s a tourist hotspot, and since most of our show’s audience are tourists, it made perfect sense.”

Despite her glamorous online presence, Danya is quick to remind fans that social media is a highlight reel, not real life. “People see all the glitz and glam, but they rarely see the days you’re sick or feeling low,” she says. “Content creators and public figures are normal people with emotions, struggles, and bad days too.”

That authenticity extends to her marriage with fellow Dubai Bling star DJ Bliss. “At home, we’re not ‘DJ Bliss’ and ‘Diva Dee’, we’re just Danya and Marwan,” she says. The key to their relationship? Giving each other room to thrive. “Each of us is a brand on our own. He’s DJ Bliss, I’m Diva Dee, and we allow each other to grow individually.”

While fashion is still close to her heart, “When I started BYD around 2012–2013, caps were a trend, and I wanted to create my own unique line”, her style philosophy goes beyond labels. “Fashion is defined differently for everyone. For me, it means standing out, being unique, and complementing the individual,” she says. As for personal favourites? She confesses a fondness for edgy brands like KTZ, Off-White, and the streetwear turns of Balenciaga and Vetements.

And her time on Dubai Bling has been an education too. “The number of hours it takes to film a reality show really surprised me!” she laughs.

“I thought it was just: get ready, show up, film for an hour, and done. But it’s actually a lot of hard work, preparation, and filming, much more than people assume.”

If you think she’s slowing down, think again. Danya is ready for her next act, literally. “I’m exploring acting professionally, that’s something I really want to pursue,” she reveals. But her entrepreneurial streak isn’t going anywhere. She’s also focused on growing her podcast Meet My Friends, where she sits down with influential friends for candid conversations.

Whether she’s running a café, launching a podcast, filming reality TV or dreaming up her next move, Danya is clear about what sets her apart: a refusal to conform.

“I’m me, I’m unique, and I make sure that stays consistent in everything I do,” she says, and if history is anything to go by, audiences can’t wait to see what she does next.