You’ve probably seen the face. Even if the name Omar Borkan Al Gala doesn't immediately ring a bell, that viral image of the smoldering man with the perfectly wrapped kohl-lined eyes and the checkered keffiyeh definitely will. Back in 2013, the internet basically broke because of a headline so ridiculous it sounded like a fever dream: a man was supposedly kicked out of Saudi Arabia for being "too handsome."
It’s one of those digital myths that refuses to die. Honestly, the real story is way more "wrong place, wrong time" than "international supermodel exile."
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What actually happened in Riyadh?
Let’s set the record straight because the "deportation" story is mostly fiction. In April 2013, Omar was at the Jandriyah Cultural Festival in Riyadh. He wasn't some secret agent of sexiness; he was just a guy working a promotion stand.
According to Omar himself in later interviews with HuffPost and Quién magazine, some girls recognized him from his previous modeling work. They gathered for autographs and photos. In a place with strict rules about gender segregation, a crowd of women surrounding a male model is a massive red flag for the religious police (the Mutawa).
They didn't like the vibe. They asked him politely to leave the festival. That’s it.
The Saudi delegation eventually clarified that while he was asked to leave the event—partially because of "inappropriate" dancing and the unapproved interaction with women—he was never kicked out of the country. But the internet loves a good "forbidden beauty" narrative. By the time the truth got out, he’d already gained millions of followers and a Mercedes G-Wagon from an anonymous admirer.
Life after the viral explosion
So, what do you do when the entire world labels you a "distraction to women"? You lean into it. Omar moved to Vancouver, Canada, shortly after the madness. It was a smart move. He traded the heat of Dubai for the Pacific Northwest, focusing on building a legitimate career that wasn't just based on a lucky headline.
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He didn't just sit around looking pretty. He's a photographer at heart. He actually studied hotel management, too, which is a wild pivot if you think about it. Imagine checking into a Marriott and being handed your key by the "world's most handsome man."
The Borkan Brand and Business
Omar transitioned from being a meme to a brand. He became a product ambassador for Samsung and landed modeling contracts that took him from Mexico to Vietnam. In 2026, he’s still leveraging that 2013 spark, but the focus has shifted toward his own business ventures.
- The Ghutra Line: He launched a brand focusing on the Arabian ghutra (scarf), aiming to take traditional Middle Eastern style global.
- Photography: He often spends more time behind the lens than in front of it these days.
- Influencer Status: With over 1.3 million followers on Facebook alone (and millions more across other platforms), he’s a staple in the Middle Eastern luxury influencer circuit.
The personal side: Family and Privacy
For a guy who became famous for his face, Omar is surprisingly private about his personal life. He married Saudi fashion designer Yasmin Oweidah in 2015. They have a son named Diyab.
They actually separated in 2018, which he announced on social media with a pretty level-headed post asking for respect and privacy. It was a rare moment of vulnerability for a guy who usually sticks to high-fashion poses. Since then, he’s been a "doting dad," often posting photos with his son—though he usually keeps the kid's face out of the spotlight. You gotta respect the hustle of trying to give a child a normal life when their dad is a literal internet legend.
Why we're still talking about him in 2026
The reason Omar Borkan Al Gala stays relevant isn't just because he's a good-looking guy. It's because he represents the first era of accidental viral stardom.
He didn't have a PR team when the story broke. He didn't audition for "handsome man." He was just a photographer at a festival who became a symbol of Western misconceptions about the Middle East. People wanted to believe the "too handsome to exist" story because it fit a specific stereotype about Saudi Arabia being "extra."
The truth is always a bit more boring: he was a guy who broke the rules of a specific event and the internet did the rest.
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Actionable Insights for the Digital Age
If you're looking at Omar's story as a blueprint for modern fame, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Control the Narrative Early: Omar eventually told the truth, but let the "too handsome" rumor run for a while. It gave him a career, but it also pigeonholed him. If you go viral, define yourself before the comments section does.
- Diversify Your Skills: Modeling has an expiration date. Omar focused on photography and business (like his ghutra line) to ensure he had a career when the "handsome" tags faded.
- Privacy is a Choice: Even in the age of oversharing, you can choose what to keep back. Omar's decision to shield his son’s identity shows you can be an influencer without selling your entire soul to the algorithm.
The "Most Handsome Man" title might have been a fluke of the 2013 news cycle, but Omar’s ability to turn a misunderstanding into a decade-long career is anything but an accident. He took the "deported" tag and turned it into a passport to the world.
To get the most out of following digital creators like Omar, focus on how they pivot from a single viral moment into a sustainable business. Track his latest photography projects on his official social channels to see how he’s evolving beyond the 2013 headlines.