From a Viral Photo to Global Fame: The Inspiring Journey of Anok Yai

Within days, her inbox was flooded with messages from top modeling agencies. Among them was Kyle Hagler, the president of Next Management, one of the most respected agencies in the industry. Though she had always admired fashion and art, Yai never considered modeling as a realistic career path. Her focus was on science and medicine, and she dreamed of inspiring young women to enter STEM fields. “I always wanted to help people,” she said, “and that has always been the main goal of my life.”