Huda Kattan Denies Supporting Iran Regime Amid Online Backlash
Huda Beauty founder faces criticism over a reposted video but says she is “not pro-regime” and was misunderstood.
Huda Kattan, the Iraqi-American beauty mogul behind Huda Beauty, is in the spotlight after an Instagram post sparked online outrage. Critics accused her of supporting Iran’s ruling regime after she shared a video showing a pro-government protester burning images of Reza Pahlavi, the exiled son of Iran’s late Shah.
Kattan has strongly denied the claims, saying she has been “wrongly characterised” and emphasizing that she shares anti-war content, not political allegiance.
Kattan Speaks Out
In a series of emotional Instagram videos, Kattan addressed the backlash:
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She clarified she is not pro-regime.
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She said she does not feel informed enough to take a public position on Iran’s internal politics.
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She acknowledged the pain of Iranians living inside the country and in the diaspora.
“I know a lot of people all over the world are very, very upset… I really truly feel for a lot of people,” Kattan said, adding that she is cautious about endorsing foreign intervention or regime change.
Context and Personal Perspective
Kattan explained her reluctance to take sides is shaped by her own family history as an Iraqi. She highlighted the long-term consequences of foreign interventions in the Middle East, sharing:
“As an Iraqi, we had internal issues… Two-and-a-half decades later, the country is in shambles.”
She also rejected online comparisons between Iran and other conflicts like Palestine and Israel, calling them “very different.”
Criticism from Industry Peers
Despite her explanation, Kattan received sharp criticism from Moj Mahdara, Iranian-American founder of Beautycon, who said Kattan had previously declined to publicly support the Women, Life, Freedom movement.
Mahdara said Kattan’s stance appeared to prioritise anti-Western sentiment over solidarity with Iranians, but stressed her comments came from a place of personal hurt rather than animosity.
Kattan’s Final Words
Kattan concluded that she will avoid further commentary on Iran, citing the sensitivity of the situation and the potential for misinterpretation.
“We all want the best for people… But regime change by the hand of America is a scary thing,” she said.
She ended her statement by wishing for the safety and wellbeing of Iranians, while keeping her position on external intervention clear.