Model and actor Alina Khan from Pakistan has gone a long way. She won Miss Trans Pakistan 2023 and became the first transgender actor from her country to walk the famous Cannes red carpet on the French Riviera in 2022 with team Joyland. The actor threw a small birthday party to commemorate turning one year older. Alina posted images of the get-together to Instagram along with a moving message.
“I had to leave my paternal home at the young age of 12 due to life and circumstances,” Alina softly opened, sharing her difficult path to happiness. Since then, I have not celebrated who I am since I am alone. Every year on my birthday, I would receive birthday wishes from friends and well-wishers. But I did dream and wonder: will I ever have the fortune of being celebrated on my birthday? Will I ever have someone there with me to share my happiness?”
Acknowledging her accomplishments, Alina conveyed her appreciation for having discovered a group of people with whom to share her joyful times. “I was fortunate enough to finally celebrate my birthday with my loved ones this special year,” she continued. They were here to celebrate my happiness with me, so I’m glad I’m not alone anymore and have a community and support system to help me thrive.
The performer, who was wearing an eye-catching black outfit, concluded her statement by saying, “Dreams come true,” and thanked the cake shop, her jewelry and cosmetics artists, and herself for making her day. Alina discussed her trip to Cannes and her career thus far in an interview that she did in 2022 with Vogue India.
“I came back to Pakistan from France a week ago, and I’ve already been to my family’s house three times—I even stayed overnight there,” she said in a Zoom chat with the outlet. “Joyland’s victory at Cannes is extremely meaningful to me as I portray a transgender dancer in the movie—the same identity that has caused me to be rejected my entire life won us this honor,” she continued.
Only Ammi would talk to me for a few minutes at a time before the others cut me off since my family always felt that I would embarrass them. Even though they are now genuinely pleased of my accomplishments, which makes me the happiest, Alina continued, admitting that she is still painfully aware of how far she has to go before she is accepted. “I never understand this because the same women call us home to bless their children at the time of their birth,” she sighed.
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