When Love Island USA Season 6 hit screens, everyone became obsessed with Leah Kateb. Her quick wit, her "fumes" during the Rob drama, and that undeniable Calabasas energy made her the breakout star of the season. But as her popularity exploded, so did the Google searches. People wanted to know every single detail about her life, and one of the biggest questions that keeps popping up is whether is Leah Kateb Muslim.
It’s a question that makes sense on the surface. Leah is openly Persian. Her parents immigrated from Iran, and she grew up speaking Farsi as her first language. In many people's minds, "Persian" or "Iranian" automatically translates to "Muslim." However, when you actually look at how Leah lives her life and what she’s shared in those marathon-length podcast interviews, the answer is a lot more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Honestly, she hasn't explicitly put a label on her faith, and there’s a good reason for that.
Breaking Down the Persian Identity
To understand why people ask is Leah Kateb Muslim, you have to look at her heritage. Leah has been very vocal about being 100% Persian. Her parents moved to Los Angeles before she was born, and she grew up in the wealthy enclave of Bell Canyon. In her interview on Call Her Daddy with Alex Cooper, Leah talked about how her culture is a massive part of who she is. She even mentioned that she didn't speak English until she started school because Farsi was the only thing spoken at home.
That cultural tie is strong. But culture and religion aren't the same thing, even if they often overlap. Iran is an Islamic Republic, so the default assumption is often that anyone of Iranian descent is Muslim. But the Iranian diaspora in Los Angeles—often nicknamed "Tehrangeles"—is incredibly diverse. It includes Muslims, Christians, Jews, Zoroastrians, Bahá'ís, and plenty of people who are secular or agnostic.
Leah hasn't been seen practicing any specific religious rituals on camera. On the show, she didn't mention prayer times or dietary restrictions related to Islam. In fact, she’s been a vegetarian for over a decade and a vegan for about five years. While those are ethical choices—she’s a massive animal lover who owns horses and pigs—they aren't specifically tied to Islamic law.
The Question of Practice vs. Heritage
So, is Leah Kateb Muslim in the sense that she’s a practicing devotee? There is no public evidence to suggest that. She hasn't shared photos of herself at a mosque or talked about observing Ramadan. On social media, her content focuses on fashion, her relationship with Miguel Harichi, and her work as a "Re-Founder" for the fragrance brand Skylar.
If she does have a religious background, she keeps it private. That's her right, of course. Many second-generation immigrants in the US navigate a "cultural" version of their parents' religion without being strictly observant. They might celebrate the holidays—like Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which is a secular cultural holiday—without engaging in the theological side of things.
Why the Internet is So Obsessed with Her Background
The fascination with whether is Leah Kateb Muslim actually says a lot about representation in reality TV. For a long time, Middle Eastern women were either nonexistent on these shows or portrayed through very narrow stereotypes. Leah broke that mold. She was the "it girl." She was desired, she was funny, and she was messy in a way that felt incredibly human.
Fans from Middle Eastern backgrounds have shared on Reddit and TikTok how much it meant to see a Persian woman being the main character. One user noted that seeing Leah—someone who looks like them—being the most sought-after girl in the villa was "healing."
- She represents a shift in how we see "Persian Royalty."
- Her success proves that cultural specificity doesn't limit appeal.
- She’s vocal about her roots without letting them be her only personality trait.
Leah’s boyfriend, Miguel, also has a multicultural background. This "power couple" status has only intensified the deep dives into their personal lives. But even with all the scrutiny, Leah has remained focused on her "business woman era" and her love for indie films and animal rescue.
What We Actually Know for Sure
If you’re looking for a definitive "yes" or "no" on the is Leah Kateb Muslim debate, you won't find it in a birth certificate or a public statement. What we do know is:
- Ethnicity: She is 100% Persian/Iranian.
- Language: She is fluent in Farsi.
- Upbringing: She was raised in a high-income household in Bell Canyon/Calabasas.
- Values: She is a staunch advocate for animal rights and follows a vegan lifestyle.
She doesn't lean into religious labels. Instead, she leans into her Persian identity as a point of pride. For her, being Persian is about the food, the language, the family dynamics, and the "spiciness" of her personality.
Final Thoughts on Leah’s Identity
At the end of the day, Leah Kateb is a 25-year-old woman navigating sudden, massive fame. Whether she prays, meditates, or simply believes in being a good person is something she hasn't felt the need to broadcast. Most fans seem happy just to have her as "The People's Princess."
If you want to support Leah beyond just wondering about her personal life, the best way is to keep an eye on her professional moves. She’s heavily involved in the fragrance world now and continues to advocate for animal welfare. Following her journey as a "Re-Founder" gives a much clearer picture of who she is today than any speculation about her religious upbringing ever could. Check out her latest projects with Skylar or her animal sanctuary updates to see where her heart really lies.
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Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch her full interview on the I’ve Never Said This Before podcast for more on her cultural upbringing.
- Follow her official social media for updates on her animal rescue work, which she considers her true calling.