10 Things to Know About Khadija Nicholas

The stunning dancer/model is one to watch.

"Marilyn Monroe" Is Black - Well, Marilyn Monroe isn't a Black woman, but Pharrell made sure to change women's way of thinking with the cover art for his latest single, "Marilyn Moroe." The cover is a beautiful Black woman by the name of Khadija Nicholas, who is also a dancer in the new music video. Right now, some are questioning why he would associate a Black woman with Marilyn Monroe's legacy, but in the end, artistic freedom wins.  (Photo: I Am Other, Columbia)

1 / 10

Who’s That Girl? - Flaunting a perfectly tousled bob and sparkly red lips on the cover art of Pharrell’s new single, “Marilyn Monroe,” professional dancer/model Khadija Nicholas set the Internet abuzz this week. Dying to know more about this rising star? We’ve got you covered. By Britt Middleton You may recognize the 26-year-old beauty sporting the same red ensemble in the “Marilyn Monroe” music video, and she’s also been a fixture in Pharrell’s stage shows in recent weeks, including Coachella and the Ellen DeGeneres Show.  (Photo: I am Other, Columbia Records)

Trini Born, Brooklyn Raised - She was born in St. James, a district of Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Soon after, her parents moved to Brooklyn, New York, where she started dance classes at age 5. “My grandmother told me stories of when I lived with her in Trinidad. She and the rest of the family realized I loved to dance and they would play soca music in the house and I would just get up and dance my little heart out,” she tells Trinidad Express newspaper. (Photo: Instagram via khadijashari)

2 / 10

Trini Born, Brooklyn Raised - She was born in St. James, a district of Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. Soon after, her parents moved to Brooklyn, New York, where she started dance classes at age 5. “My grandmother told me stories of when I lived with her in Trinidad. She and the rest of the family realized I loved to dance and they would play soca music in the house and I would just get up and dance my little heart out,” she tells Trinidad Express newspaper. (Photo: Instagram via khadijashari)

Queen of Versatility - An accomplished dancer, Nicholas's favorite styles include ballet, modern, African, jazz and hip hop, and she has performed with the prestigious Alvin Ailey School, Harlem School of the Arts and Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn. (Photo: Columbia Records)

3 / 10

Queen of Versatility - An accomplished dancer, Nicholas's favorite styles include ballet, modern, African, jazz and hip hop, and she has performed with the prestigious Alvin Ailey School, Harlem School of the Arts and Creative Outlet Dance Theatre of Brooklyn. (Photo: Columbia Records)

Star Power - Nicholas winded it up alongside Rihanna for both her Loud and Diamonds World Tours, and she performed in the singer’s “Where Have You Been?” video. She has said she bonded with Rih over their shared Caribbean roots and counts “What’s My Name?” as her favorite jam. Adding to her celebrity clientele, she’s also danced backup for Beyoncé. (Photo: Scott Legato/Getty Images)

4 / 10

Star Power - Nicholas winded it up alongside Rihanna for both her Loud and Diamonds World Tours, and she performed in the singer’s “Where Have You Been?” video. She has said she bonded with Rih over their shared Caribbean roots and counts “What’s My Name?” as her favorite jam. Adding to her celebrity clientele, she’s also danced backup for Beyoncé. (Photo: Scott Legato/Getty Images)

All-Star Alum - She’s an alumna of the Professional Performing Arts High School in New York City, where Alicia Keys honed her chops.(Photo: Instagram via khadijashari, @mikeletterlough and @rkardomuzik)

5 / 10

All-Star Alum - She’s an alumna of the Professional Performing Arts High School in New York City, where Alicia Keys honed her chops.(Photo: Instagram via khadijashari, @mikeletterlough and @rkardomuzik)

ADVERTISEMENT
Fly Foodie - A peek at her Instagram feed and it’s clear: the woman can throw down in the kitchen, whipping up favorites like baked macaroni and cheese and curry chicken. Yum!(Photo: Instagram via khadijashari)

6 / 10

Fly Foodie - A peek at her Instagram feed and it’s clear: the woman can throw down in the kitchen, whipping up favorites like baked macaroni and cheese and curry chicken. Yum!(Photo: Instagram via khadijashari)

Jet Setter - Her work as a dancer/model takes her all over the world, with stops in Monte Carlo and Cape Town, to name a few. Here she is cozying up with a camel in Abu Dhabi.(Photo: Instagram via khadijashari)

7 / 10

Jet Setter - Her work as a dancer/model takes her all over the world, with stops in Monte Carlo and Cape Town, to name a few. Here she is cozying up with a camel in Abu Dhabi.(Photo: Instagram via khadijashari)

Blog Savvy - Whether it’s sharing her fab outfit of the day (and trust us, they’re good!) or positive messages of encouragement to her followers, she’s documenting it all on her Tumblr page. (Photo: Instagram via khadijashari, @thatguykroker)

8 / 10

Blog Savvy - Whether it’s sharing her fab outfit of the day (and trust us, they’re good!) or positive messages of encouragement to her followers, she’s documenting it all on her Tumblr page. (Photo: Instagram via khadijashari, @thatguykroker)

Model Behavior - When’s she’s not breaking a sweat onstage, you may spot her modeling in the pages of Today’s Black Woman, Sister 2 Sister and Hype Hair, among others. As a brown girl making moves in the industry, she credits model Alek Wek for ushering in an era of more inclusive beauty, calling Wek “an inspiration” and “vision of hope.” (Photo: Instagram via khadijashari, @andrewjefferisphotographer)

9 / 10

Model Behavior - When’s she’s not breaking a sweat onstage, you may spot her modeling in the pages of Today’s Black Woman, Sister 2 Sister and Hype Hair, among others. As a brown girl making moves in the industry, she credits model Alek Wek for ushering in an era of more inclusive beauty, calling Wek “an inspiration” and “vision of hope.” (Photo: Instagram via khadijashari, @andrewjefferisphotographer)

On Her Grind - What’s next for this beauty? Appearing in Hollywood films and further building her brand, she tells Trinidad Express. “In five years I see myself channeling my inner Beyoncé. Whatever I will be doing, it will be to fulfil my God given purpose and to continue to inspire young women to chase their dreams like I have and accomplish the impossible.” We're in love with her already. (Photo: Instagram via khadijashari, @evan_erogers)

10 / 10

On Her Grind - What’s next for this beauty? Appearing in Hollywood films and further building her brand, she tells Trinidad Express. “In five years I see myself channeling my inner Beyoncé. Whatever I will be doing, it will be to fulfil my God given purpose and to continue to inspire young women to chase their dreams like I have and accomplish the impossible.” We're in love with her already. (Photo: Instagram via khadijashari, @evan_erogers)