Anok Yai was born on December 20, 1997. She is an American fashion model known for her stunning beauty and groundbreaking achievements. Anok is the first model of South Sudanese descent to open a Prada show and the second black supermodel, after Naomi Campbell, to achieve this honor.

She has graced the covers of numerous prestigious magazines, including i-D and international editions of Vogue, appearing on American Vogue three times. Models.com ranks her as one of the "New Supers" of this generation. In 2023, she was chosen as "Model of the Year" and named USA Top Model 2024 by both industry experts and fans.

Anok Yai was born in Cairo, Egypt. When she was three years old, her family moved to Manchester, New Hampshire, seeking better opportunities.

Her mother works as a nurse, and her father is employed by Easterseals, a nonprofit organization that provides services for people with disabilities. Anok has a sister named Alim, who manages her career and works as a financial consultant.

Anok attended Manchester High School West and later studied biochemistry at Plymouth State University. She initially aspired to become a doctor, but her life took a different turn when she was discovered by a photographer.

Anok Yai's modeling career began unexpectedly in October 2017. She was attending Howard University's homecoming week when a professional photographer named Steve 'theSUNK' Hall noticed her and asked to take her picture. He posted the photo on Instagram, where it quickly gained over 20,000 likes.

This caught the attention of several modeling agencies, including IMG Models. After receiving persistent calls from Next Model Management, Anok decided to sign with them.

Just four months into her modeling career, Anok achieved a major milestone by becoming the first Sudanese model to open a Prada fashion show. Opening a Prada show is considered one of the highest honors in fashion modeling, as it often launches successful careers.

Anok also appeared in Prada's Spring/Summer 2018 campaign and an upcoming Nike campaign designed by Givenchy's Riccardo Tisci.

Reflecting on her breakthrough, Anok told Vogue, "It was an honor and I'm proud that I was the one chosen to open, but this is bigger than me. Me opening for one of the top fashion houses is a statement to the world—especially for black women—that their beauty is something that deserves to be celebrated."

Anok quickly became a sought-after model, walking runways for prestigious brands like Versace, Max Mara, Fendi, Burberry, and Louis Vuitton. She also appeared in advertisements for Tiffany & Co., Nike, Hood by Air, and Ambush.

Anok's presence in the fashion world grew rapidly. She appeared on the covers and in editorials of various top magazines, including international editions of Vogue, W magazine, CR Fashion Book, AnOther, Dust, Purple, Harper's Bazaar, i-D, Self Service, V Magazine, Elle, Garage, Document Journal, Dazed, and Pop.

In 2018, Anok participated in a high-profile advertising campaign for a collaboration between Nike, Riccardo Tisci, and Minotaurs. She also became an Estée Lauder spokesmodel and featured in a campaign for Alexander Wang's "Collection 1" Drop 2. That year, she appeared on the covers of Dazed, i-D, Purple Fashion, and Dust.

In 2019, Anok starred in a short film for the Chanel-Pharrell Collection, alongside other top models Adut Akech and Alton Mason. She graced the covers of AnOther, CR Fashion Book, PRINT, W, and multiple international editions of Vogue.

In 2020, Anok modeled for the Versace Resort "Flash 2021" campaign and appeared in the Alexander McQueen Fall/Winter 2020 campaign, photographed by Jamie Hawkesworth. She continued to make waves, featuring on the covers of Vogue Japan, Vogue Germany, Vogue Netherlands, and American Vogue.

In 2021, Anok starred in the Ambush Spring/Summer 2021 campaign, photographed by Ethan James Green. She led the Hood by Air "02 PROLOGUE" campaign photoshoot and appeared in a Yves Saint Laurent Winter 2021 advertisement shot by Juergen Teller. In September 2021, she appeared on the cover of Vogue alongside models Ariel Nicholson, Bella Hadid, and Kaia Gerber.

In 2022, Anok's career reached new heights. She appeared in two Spring/Summer campaigns shot by Steven Meisel for Max Mara and Alexander McQueen. She modeled for Loro Piana in a photoshoot by Mario Sorrenti and reunited with Meisel for a September campaign for Tiffany & Co. Rose Gold Eau de Parfum.

In February 2022, she graced the cover of British Vogue alongside an all-black modeling cast. One significant recognition of her supermodel status came with a September 2022 cover celebrating the 50th anniversary of W magazine.

In 2023, Anok was featured in a Vogue tribute cover to Karl Lagerfeld, photographed by Annie Leibovitz. She also covered Vogue Spain, Vogue Italy, and i-D. Anok made an appearance in the music video for "Say Something" by American rapper Lil Yachty. During Paris Fashion Week, she opened her first Mugler runway show.

Following her appearance at the 2023 Met Gala in a custom Prabal Gurung gown, Vogue Australia ranked her as one of the "best dressed supermodels." W magazine noted that "Yai could not be missed in her look." Anok ended the year as the models.com Industry and Readers' vote for "Model of the Year."

In 2024, Anok continued her impressive career by walking in the Louis Vuitton Men's Fall/Winter show during Paris Fashion Week. She appeared as a video vixen in Travis Scott's music video "I KNOW?" and in February, she became the face of Alien Hypersense, a new fragrance by Mugler.