'You don't belong here!' Ajak Deng, one of Australia's most successful international models, speaks out about the stigma of growing up as a refugee

By Zoe Nauman

PUBLISHED: 04:04 EST, 10 March 2014 | UPDATED: 04:29 EST, 10 March 2014


She is one of Australia's hottest model exports - in demand on international catwalks for her long limbed beauty.

But when Ajak Deng returns home to Australia, she says she is made to feel like an outsider - because she came to the country as an asylum seeker when she was a child.

Speaking out in an interview with Elle, the 24-year-old revealed she still faces prejudice and cannot understand why people are not more understanding towards the plight of refugee's.

From refugee to runway: Model Ajak Deng has hit out at the Australian asylum seeker policy in an interview in Ellle, saying she sometimes faces prejudice

From refugee to runway: Model Ajak Deng has hit out at the Australian asylum seeker policy in an interview in Ellle, saying she sometimes faces prejudice

She said: 'I go back to Melbourne and think I’m going home and someone will say “You don’t belong here” and I’m like “Well I grew up here. What do you mean I don’t belong here?"’

Deng is originally from The Sudan, and came to Australia when she was 12 years old – her mother died of malaria in a refugee camp.

She says speaking about the plight of asylum seekers gets her very emotional: 'I could go on about that all day. I don’t think it is fair how we are treated, sometimes. I have dealt with a few racist moments where I was just like “Is this really necessary?”'

Model on a mission: Born in Sudan, she fled her home country when she was a 12 years old
Model on a mission: Born in Sudan, she fled her home country when she was a 12 years old

Write caption here

The model, who has recently walked at Paris Fashion Week for Jeremy Scott, said she has faced prejudice and racism her 'entire life.'

Speaking out about the asylum seeker process in Australia she said: 'I will say, personally, I don’t like the way the system is and I don’t like everything about it.

'I was accepted to come to Australia as one of the country’s own so that’s something huge. It’s just going to take time for everyone to be accepted.

'I would say that it sucks, but it is what it is, and that’s what I think of it now. In every nationality, there is always the good and the bad.
We have good people and we have bad people, we can’t stop every war, every day'

Deng cites models Shanina Shaik, Grace Bol and Jeneil Williams as her closest friends in the industry.

I love Paris: Deng posted a picture of herself on Instagram enjoying the French capital

I love Paris: Deng posted a picture of herself on Instagram enjoying the French capital


In demand: The model is a hit on the catwalk and has walked for Dior

In demand: The model is a hit on the catwalk and has walked for Dior

Fashion plate: Deng likes to support good causes and is seen here at the 2014 AmfAR New York gala in February

Fashion plate: Deng likes to support good causes and is seen here at the 2014 AmfAR New York gala in February

And she said contrary to popular belief models do eat: 'I see my friends and we stuff our faces like there’s no tomorrow.

'Just last night, I was so hungry, so my friends and I just got in a cab and asked the driver, “Where can we eat at this time?” he replied, “It’s 5.30am – nowhere.”

'He drove us to the closest McDonald’s and we ended up eating cheeseburgers and fries.

'Outside, a random Parisian asked, “Are you guys models?” and we answered “Yes,” then he continued to ask “Should you be eating that?” and I’m like, “Uh yes, because if I don’t eat it, what’s going to keep me alive?”'

Ajak Deng will be in Australia for The Iconic Runway presents River Island Shop the Show at Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival.The brand is launching three hour delivery in Australia

Models do eat! The model posted a picture of what she likes to eat between catwalk shows

Models do eat! The model posted a picture of what she likes to eat between catwalk shows

Comments (11)

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The comments below have been moderated in advance.

I am Australian and I know nothing about this model? She's gorgeous but she isn't one of Australia's most successful international models.. Just sayin'

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Beautiful!!

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be strong young lady!!! Don't give a chance to hurting u, cos u deserve more!!! and ur chocolate color is Beautiful, wish i had!!!

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I would have thought a little racism was a small price to pay for the life she currently leads, compared to the way her life would have turned out, if she'd stayed in the Sudan.

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Ajak is absolutely gorgeous. I too am appalled by the treatment that asylum seekers get in this country. EVERY human being deserves to have a safe home and the chance to a better life. I apologise to all asylum seekers/refugees who have been treated inhumanely by the Australian government.

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I don't like blind prejudice in any form, but honestly, when people who don't look anything like locals, don't speak the same language, don't have the same history, social structure or culture, talk about not being accepted¿ they need to understand that being really different sets them apart in the eyes of local citizens. Good people will learn to accept refuges, but with local cultures under economic threat, it's easy to see the strangers as unwelcome competition. Worse, some newcomers seem to expect locals to change their long held ways to accommodate them, which isn't right. If you're the newcomer, you need to try and adapt to your new home and community, not the other way around. Tolerance is a two way street.

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What a beauty she is. Reminds me of Lupita.

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She's absolutely beautiful!

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Melbourne, grow up

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Gorgeous, gorgeous, gorgeous!

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So many Australians are still stuck in 1901 (including this xenophobic government - unless you have plenty of money to bring). Racism is rife in this country. It's embarrassing to be associated with this backwater and I only hope that those who have no heart nor humanity can eventually show empathy towards others. We are all in this world through 'accidents' of birth and here for a short time. Let's be kind.

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