Nyakim Gatwech possesses a uniquely deep skin tone, which is considered rare. Her striking appearance has propelled her to global stardom as a highly sought-after model, and her images grace the covers of prominent fashion magazines.

Let’s learn together about the amazing fate of a beauty who struggled to get her place in society.

As a child, Nyakim Gatwech struggled with deep insecurities stemming from the rejection she faced from her peers due to her highly unusual dark skin tone. Born in 1993 in South Sudan amidst a backdrop of war, her family was forced to flee to Kenya before ultimately settling in an African refugee camp in Ethiopia.Eventually, Gatwech and her family relocated to Minneapolis in the United States, but even there, she struggled to fit in with American teenagers who failed  to accept her. Oftentimes, she found herself feeling isolated and alone, and her deep sense of unattractiveness only exacerbated  her struggles.

“ I didn’t think my skin color was a problem until l moved to America. Everyone looked at me and laughed”, the star shared.In her native land, Gatwech did not face any specific issues, as her deep skin tone was not particularly remarkable amongst her peers. It was only after her family’s relocation to the United States that she began to encounter difficulties due to her unique and striking appearance.It took some time for Gatwech to realize that her unique appearance could actually be an assest. Eventually, she began to use her platform to reach out to other dark-skinned girls who had faced similar struggles, using her blog as a means of connection of support.

In an effort to uplift and empower other dark-skinned girls, Gatwech has written inspiring messages such as, “ You are incredibly beautiful, and your unique skin tone sets you apart in the best way possible. Don’t let anyone else’s opinion bring you down. You are one-of-a-kind, stunning, and there are people who admire and cherish you exactly as you are. Remember, the sweetness of a cherry has nothing to do with its color”.Having personally experienced the struggle of fighting against the opinions of others, Gatwech knows all too well how challenging it can be, particularly for a young child. At one point, she even considered lightening her own skin, following in the footsteps of her older sister who had done the same. However, her sister deeply regretted her decision and forbade Gatwech from ever considering it.

A friend of the model presented her collection and invited Gatwech to participate in the show. That’s how her modeling career started.

Gatwech spent nearly two years building up her portfolio, working tirelessly to establish herself in the modeling industry. Her efforts paid off when she caught the attention of model scouts who recognized her potential and offered her work with top-tier brands. In 2017, she even had the opportunity to have her photo featured on promotional posters for the film “ Saw 8”. While pursuing her modeling career, Gatwech also managed to graduate from Minneapolis Community College in the fall of 2017, and is now focused on continuing to develop her career.

Gatwech has made it her mission to use her success to uplift and empower others who have faced similar struggles to her own. At just 28 years old, she has achieved remarkable heights in her modeling career, having signed with the prestigious global company FashionNova and become a sought-after model for high-end brands. Her stunning images have graced the covers of numerous glossy magazines, including Woe, Mefeater, Annabelle, and L’Oréal Paris, solidifying her status as a true icon of the fashion industry.
Gatwech was selected as one of the models to participate in a Calvin Klein photoshoot, a coveted opportunity in the fashion world. Her captivating presence and unique beauty have garnered her a significant following on social media, with over 970 thousand users captivated by her striking images and inspiring messages.Her followers affectionately refer to her as the “Queen of Darkness”, a fitting title for a model who has defied beauty standards and risen to become a true role model for dark-skinned girls around the world.
The model responded positively to her nickname. “Dark colors are not just about sadness, grief and death. I’m the <Queen of Darkness> and l bring light and love to those around me”, the star expressed her opinion.As a strong advocate for self-love and empowerment, Gatwech is determined to serve as an example for young girls around the world. “No one can love you the way you should love yourself, and I want to teach young girls that”, she says.

Despite the challenges she has faced, Gatwech remains steadfast in her conviction that beauty is not defined by skin color. She recalls a time when a cab driver suggested that she should lighten her skin, presumably to improve her life. While such comments might have been hurtful in the past, Gatwech now simply laughed in response and explained to the man that she was not interested in taking shortcuts or conforming to society’s narrow beauty standards.In her photographs, Nyakim often appears in traditional outfits for her people. She respects tradition and believes that beauty has no race or nationality.

For Gatwech, her dark skin is a cherished gift from above, and she refuses to let anyone else define her by it. “I don’t see myself as a black woman, and I don’t let it hold me back from achieving my goals”, she declares. For her, the key to true success and happiness lies in accepting oneself for who they are, and embracing all the unique qualities that make them special. Her journey as a model has not been easy, but with her unshakable confidence and unwavering determination, Gatwech has proven that anything is possible when you believe in yourself.