Danya Al Mulla pushes boundaries in business and entertainment

Danya Al Mulla is a woman of many firsts. The charismatic TV personality, best known for her role in Dubai Bling, is also a sharp entrepreneur and a woman who is constantly pushing boundaries in the creative sphere. But beyond the glitz and glamour of reality TV, she is a woman of substance, deeply rooted in her values, driven by passion, and unafraid to take risks.

Speaking at Gulf News and BeingShe’s event The Future of Women Leaders Forum 2025  in Dubai today, Danya shared her journey, reflecting on her upbringing in Abu Dhabi and how it shaped her into the powerhouse she is today. “I can’t say a traditional upbringing, but for sure, I had both,” she explained. “My parents, especially my dad, were very encouraging. He really encouraged me to learn, and he put me in an international school. But also, he was like, ‘Don’t forget your religion, don’t forget your culture, don’t forget your values, your morals, all of that.’”

Her early exposure to diverse cultures and perspectives gave her a unique worldview. “It gave me empathy to understand people’s points of view,” she said. “Something that didn’t make sense to me made sense to someone else. I think it made me a very well-rounded person.”

Danya’s entrepreneurial spirit was sparked when she visited New York during university. Raised in a comfortable environment where everything was provided for her, she had never felt the need to hustle. But seeing young people in New York passionately pursuing their dreams ignited something within her. “They were just in their 20s and doing so many things,” she recalled. “That inspired me to start my small mini-business, which was ‘By D’— a streetwear cap line.”

From that first venture, she continued to explore new ideas, including launching a YouTube channel that became a “revenue stream” in itself. One of her most successful videos, “The Worst Reviewed Makeup Artist in My City,” skyrocketed in views, reaching nearly 10 million. “I never went into any business thinking, ‘I’m gonna make so much money from this,’ because I think that’s the wrong concept to have,” she said. “Whatever you do, you should love what you do, and then when you love it, everything else flows after that.”

Her creativity and willingness to embrace challenges set her apart. Whether it was founding a luxury picnic business, called Bicnic, venturing into content creation, or making history as the first Emirati female on Netflix, Danya has continuously explore new and fresh avenues. “Everything I’ve done, I was the first within my family to do it. And then when I look at it from a bigger picture, I’m the first Emirati female to be on Netflix. So it just starts from small things, and then it becomes bigger.”

Despite her stardom, Danya remains grounded. She acknowledges the pressures of reality TV and the misconceptions it fosters. “Dubai Bling looks super glamorous, and people think our lives are so easy. But it’s actually very long hours. If you watch a one-minute scene, it probably took at least two hours to prepare and maybe five hours to film,” she revealed. “It’s not for the faint-hearted. You need to be a very strong individual to do a reality show.”

Danya’s story underscores the power of passion, resilience, and staying true to one’s values. Her journey from an ambitious young woman in Abu Dhabi to an international TV star and entrepreneur proves that success is not just about wealth or fame; it’s about the courage to carve one’s own path.

Presenting partner of the event is Tristar, Support Partner is Veloche, Venue Partner is InterContinental Festival City, Fragrance Partner is Miss Armaf, Gifting Partners are Lush, Ahmad Tea and Chocodate, Flower Partner is Arpan Flowers, AV Partner of the event is AV Lords, and Trophy Partner is Crystal Gallery.