Adut Akech, the celebrated South Sudanese-Australian model, has announced her pregnancy in an exclusive interview with Vogue. The 24-year-old, known for her stunning runway walks for prestigious brands like Saint Laurent, is expecting her first child with her partner, Samuel Elkhier.
Currently halfway through her pregnancy, Adut shared her excitement and anticipation. “I’m good. I’m excited. I can’t wait. I’m like—can they just come already? I’m kind of over it and I’m just halfway,” she revealed to Vogue. Despite the challenges, she described the experience as a “beautiful feeling” but also noted it has been a “mental and physical rollercoaster.” She added, “Nothing really ever prepares you for it.”
Adut is looking forward to being a young mother, embracing the idea of growing up alongside her child. She highlighted the close bond she shares with her own mother, attributing it to their small age difference. “The close age difference between me and my mom played a huge role in how close we are,” she explained.
The moment Adut realized she was pregnant came after experiencing unusual food cravings and extreme exhaustion. “I was picking up my car from the service center—with my bag of oranges!—and when driving back home, I started feeling like I was going to throw up,” she recounted. This led her to take a pregnancy test, confirming her suspicions.
Adut humorously described her current state, saying it feels like she has a “brick sitting on the top of her vagina” and shared stories of her “bizarre cravings.” “I want everything—I’ll force my mom to cook three traditional dishes and on top of that I’m having KFC,” she joked.
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Adut’s journey to international modeling stardom began under challenging circumstances. Born in South Sudan, she spent the first eight years of her life in the Kakuma refugee camp in Kenya, where her family sought refuge from civil war. Adut, along with her mother and five siblings, later moved to Australia, where she began her modeling career at a young age.
At just 13, Adut walked her first runway for her aunt’s clothing label. By 16, she had signed her first modeling contract with Chadwick Models. Her breakthrough came in 2017 when she made her Fashion Week debut, walking in Saint Laurent’s S/S 17 show. Since then, Adut has become a prominent figure in the fashion industry, appearing in campaigns for Saint Laurent, Valentino, Zara, and Moschino. She has also graced the runways for high-profile designers such as Alexander McQueen, Givenchy, Prada, Miu Miu, Tom Ford, Tory Burch, Calvin Klein, Burberry, and Versace.
As she prepares for motherhood, Adut is committed to instilling the values she learned from her upbringing in her child. Reflecting on her past, she aims to raise her child with the same strength and resilience that have defined her own journey.
Adut Akech’s pregnancy announcement has been met with widespread joy and congratulations from fans and colleagues alike. Her story continues to inspire many, showcasing her strength, grace, and unwavering spirit in both her personal and professional life.
