Ugbad Abdi was born around 2000 in Kismayo, Somalia, which her family later fled to settle in a refugee camp in Kenya. Eventually, at the age of 9 years old, she and her family were settled in Des Moines, Iowa. Just two months after graduating high school, Ugbad was recruited on Instagram by modeling age idea and, after flying to New York to meet with different agencies, signed with Next Management. Her runway debut was made in the 2018/2019 season at the Valentino haute couture show. She has also walked in shows for Chanel, Miu Miu, Fendi, Burberry, and Max Mara. Last year, she appeared in the April 2019 American, British, and Arabian Vogue publications. That same year, Ugbad became the first runway model for both Fendi and Lanvin to wear hijab & she was named as one if Fall 2019’s breakout models.