Jordanian Make-Up Artist Beats The Lockdown Blues

Published February 9th, 2021 - 08:18 GMT

A young Jordanian make-up artist shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the world.

From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to singer Umm Kulthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in her own right with tens of thousands of social media followers.

The 27-year-old says she started making the clips to stave off depression, after losing her job as a theatre make-up artist and returning to a grim coronavirus lockdown in Jordan.

Months later, she has some 30,000 followers on TikTok and another 24,000 on Instagram, where comments on her videos are full of praise. Soon, she plans to poke fun at Egypt's President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and leading US senator Bernie Sanders. But some videos also have a serious note. On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women in November, she posted disturbing images of herself made up with bruises.

She says the pandemic has given some people time to discover themselves and develop new skills.

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Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, applies coloured eye lenses to complete her imitation make-up to resemble Queen Elizabeth II, in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in her own right, with tens of thousands of social media followers.

Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, works on her imitation make-up to resemble Queen Elizabeth II, in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in her own right, with tens of thousands of social media followers.

Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, poses for a picture after completing her make-up to resemble Queen Elizabeth II, near the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in her own right, with tens of thousands of social media followers. Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP

Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, is pictured in front of her crayons and brushes, in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in her own right, with tens of thousands of social media followers. Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP

Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, draws outlines on her face before she starts working on her imitation make-up to resemble Queen Elizabeth II, in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in her own right, with tens of thousands of social media followers. Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP

Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, speaks to a journalist in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in her own right, with tens of thousands of social media followers. Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP

Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, enters her room in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in her own right, with tens of thousands of social media followers. Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP

Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha (Instagram)

Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha (Instagram)

Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha (Instagram)

Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, applies coloured eye lenses to complete her imitation make-up to resemble Queen Elizabeth II, in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, he
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, works on her imitation make-up to resemble Queen Elizabeth II, in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bli
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, poses for a picture after completing her make-up to resemble Queen Elizabeth II, near the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her character
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, is pictured in front of her crayons and brushes, in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in h
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, draws outlines on her face before she starts working on her imitation make-up to resemble Queen Elizabeth II, in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and act
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, speaks to a journalist in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in her own right, with tens of
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, enters her room in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in her own right, with tens of thousa
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha (Instagram)
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha (Instagram)
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha (Instagram)
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, applies coloured eye lenses to complete her imitation make-up to resemble Queen Elizabeth II, in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, he
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, applies coloured eye lenses to complete her imitation make-up to resemble Queen Elizabeth II, in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in her own right, with tens of thousands of social media followers.
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, works on her imitation make-up to resemble Queen Elizabeth II, in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bli
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, works on her imitation make-up to resemble Queen Elizabeth II, in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in her own right, with tens of thousands of social media followers.
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, poses for a picture after completing her make-up to resemble Queen Elizabeth II, near the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her character
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, poses for a picture after completing her make-up to resemble Queen Elizabeth II, near the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in her own right, with tens of thousands of social media followers. Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, is pictured in front of her crayons and brushes, in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in h
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, is pictured in front of her crayons and brushes, in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in her own right, with tens of thousands of social media followers. Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, draws outlines on her face before she starts working on her imitation make-up to resemble Queen Elizabeth II, in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and act
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, draws outlines on her face before she starts working on her imitation make-up to resemble Queen Elizabeth II, in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in her own right, with tens of thousands of social media followers. Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, speaks to a journalist in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in her own right, with tens of
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, speaks to a journalist in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in her own right, with tens of thousands of social media followers. Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, enters her room in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in her own right, with tens of thousa
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha, 27, enters her room in the basement apartment where she lives with her mother and young brother in the capital Amman, on February 2, 2021. Bliha has beaten the lockdown blues and shot to online fame with videos of herself imitating famous figures from across the Arab world and beyond. From Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II to Egyptian superstars like singer Umm Kalthum and actor Adel Imam, her characters have made Alaa Bliha a star in her own right, with tens of thousands of social media followers. Khalil MAZRAAWI / AFP
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha (Instagram)
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha (Instagram)
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha (Instagram)
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha (Instagram)
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha (Instagram)
Jordanian make-up artist Alaa Bliha (Instagram)

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