To See Is To Believe: Ayra Starr and Anok Yai at Teen Vogue Fest 2026
Teen Vogue Fest is a meeting of young minds. At least, that’s the shortest way to describe the event. It’s a place where young people from diverse backgrounds interested in youth engagement, fashion, journalism, beauty, and career development come together to exchange ideas. The essence of a gathering like this is not only for us to see the big headliners, but it’s to see the people who are growing within the industry. However, the headliners are there to show people that what they want is possible in different variations, and that’s what I bring to you today. The idea that seeing is in fact believing.
The event was curated as a panel-style and free networking environment. You could decide to learn directly from industry leaders by sitting by the panel stages (the Main Stage and the Career Stage), or you could learn from your peers by talking to them while you were waiting in line for a freebie. The event was made to inspire growth among the attendees. However, there was a very vital part that I will never forget.
Anok Yai at Teen Vogue Fest 2026 photographed by meloseri Dumni
When Anok Yai was gracing the stage, everybody heard that she was around and stopped what they were doing to come see her. They left lines, gathered around the perimeters of the stage area, and made noise as she came out. They weren’t just excited to see her because she was Anok Yai, but it was about her journey and how it contributed to her success. Most young people at the event were looking for opportunities and envisioning their futures, so it makes sense that they were just as excited to fill out job applications as they were to hear Anok Yai speak about her career journey. This phenomenon is simple: When you see what you want to be, it’s a lot easier to believe that it could happen, which is why stories like Anok’s will always be inspiring.
Anok Yai has shared many times how she was discovered at the Howard homecoming and lied to her parents about it to get there. However, upon speaking with one of the attendees, we learned that not everyone knew this story. As she said it, it inspired more people than it already had. This is why it’s important to consistently share your story and where you came from because you are inspiring someone every day. Anok Yai shared how her parents felt about her becoming a model and dropping out of university to pursue this dream, and she distinctly shouted out all the children of African parents in the audience. Now, her parents' reaction is not a monolith to the ‘African parent’, but it surely is something that a lot of people could relate to because societal standards and expectations are vast across cultures and ethnic groups. Someone in the audience could have been told by their family that being a fashion designer or stylist was not a respectable path too; but when they see Anok Yai, who had also overcome the same things, they see that this era or perception of their dream profession shall also pass. I mean, she was the first black model to open a Prada show since Naomi Campbell; she literally made history. She talked about experiencing imposter syndrome and about telling people to let go and to remind themselves that they are exactly where they are supposed to be. Aside from being inspiring, Anok Yai gave amazing advice to people interested in the industry as a whole. She talked about actually getting to know people at your level, not just those you view as higher-ups. You are meant to grow together, not just climb your way to the top. She demonstrated that effortlessly by reeling off a list of Alyssa Hardy's achievements, Digital Director at Teen Vogue, and her interviewer for the day. She not only leads with her presence but also by example. Our South Sudanese-American star.
Ayra Starr at Teen Vogue Fest 2026, accompanied by Mi-Anne Chan. Editor at Teen Vogue
Photographed by meloseri Dumnoi
Speaking of stars, we obviously have to speak about our ‘Starrgirl’, Ayra Starr. Her session was towards the end of the day, and for an event where attendees arrived around 9 am, you have to understand the starpower it takes to pull a whole room at around 5:45 pm. The thing about Ayra Starr is that she is constantly trying new things and seeking new experiences. So her impact isn’t just in the fact that she is an artist through and through, but it is in the fact that she is still hustling even though she has achieved greater heights of success. She is not comfortable and complacent, and it’s evident. She’s spoken about this a few times in her Substack in her article called, “I’m Not Scared, I Promise”. Taking risks and leaving your comfort zone is so important, and Ayra Starr has spent this year and part of last year speaking about this at several conferences and speaking engagements for youth, including the Yale Africa Innovation Symposium. Pushing her to an artist who corresponds with thought leadership. During her panel session with Mi-Anne Chan (Editor at Teen Vogue), she spoke about her upcoming album, ‘Starrgirl’, coming out on August 14th, 2026. She created this album in three places: Lagos, New York, and Los Angeles. Allowing all parts of herself to flow through this album and beating any expectations, because this album shouldn’t be anything that you expect. She spoke about how growing up in Lagos, Abuja, and Cotonou helped her realize that there were strengths in those places, not just weaknesses, and that even the weaknesses could be used as strengths. She spoke about loneliness from being away from her family due to her recent move to New York, and living between continents. She told a story many could relate to and learn from, so it wasn’t just about being a global superstar; it was about being a human being. When someone who has been placed on a pedestal for their talents speaks to people trying to become as great as they are, from a place of relatability and humanity, it allows people to realize they can be just as great. That is inspiration.
Ayra Starr perfrming at teen Vogue Fest 2026 photographed by Meloseri Dumnoi
One thing about Ayra Starr is that the music will always be there. So of course, she performed three songs with a band and acoustic vocals for the attendees of Teen Vogue Fest 2026. The songs were as follows: Her newest single, ‘Tornado’ (a song that she says described whining your waist so majestically), ‘Misunderstood’ (an unreleased hit from her upcoming album), and lastly, ‘Rush’ (a timeless record).
If there’s anything that can be taken away from this event, it is that seeing is believing. Sometimes we want something so badly that we don’t fully believe it’s possible, even though we are working towards our goals. Events like Teen Vogue Fest 2026 are there to show us what is possible and build a community we can get there with. This is why events like these will sit in the history books as a place where dreams could be executed because the youth weren’t just handed blueprints; they were given examples.
