Sonia Alsowaiegh: The Khaleeji Internet IT girl bringing you belly-laughs

Whether she’s singing, launching her podcast or making TikToks with her delightfully unfiltered mother, Sonia Alsowaiegh is forging a niche that is groundbreaking and intimate. “The internet has always been my playground,” the singer and content creator tells Dazed MENA. “It’s where I can express my creativity freely.” That freedom has not come without its challenges. As an Arab woman, her decision to be so visible – and so real – has drawn in its unfortunate share of criticism. “When I first started making videos, I faced a lot of backlash for not fitting into the traditional mould of how a Saudi woman ‘should’ present herself online.”

Rather than retreat from the confining weight of expectations, Sonia leaned into the discomfort, finding purpose in the connection her vulnerability fostered. “As I continued, I discovered that many of the people following me were women who saw themselves in me, feeling a sense of representation through my content,” she remarks. “This realisation pushed me to create more, to show more of who I am and to embrace the power of connection.” This commitment to being herself is especially meaningful in a region where perception and performance often dictate behaviour; Sonia’s content is actively challenging this stiff, exhausted myth of constant perfection.

 “I want to change the narrative of what it means to be online. The pressure to appear perfect and polished isn’t realistic, especially for the young girls who see those images and think that’s how they need to be,” she explains; adding, “I want to challenge that idea and show that you don’t have to fit into a specific box or behave a certain way just to meet expectations. If I can help even one young girl see that it’s okay to be herself—unfiltered, genuine, and real—then I’ll feel like I’ve made a difference.” 

Sonia’s creative content is a masterclass in authenticity and towing the fine line between irreverence and sincerity.  She is intent on clinging to the sensations that make us human. “I find inspiration in evoking emotions – whether through my music, my podcast where I’m candid about the highs and lows of my life, or through lighthearted TikToks that let me be my true, silly self,” she shares.

Lucky for those around her, it’s laughter that’s the match to Sonia’s creative flame. “I can’t move forward without it,” she shares. “Everyday life and storytelling fuel my creativity, but it’s the sound of laughter that really keeps me going. If I don’t hear a laugh, I’m not sure what to do next. It’s what gives my work energy and makes the simplest moments feel special.”

Sonia finds herself playing a role in a broader cultural awakening in the region marked by women beginning to define their identities in their own terms, opening up new ways for expression. “A few years ago, being as open and expressive as I am now might have drawn a lot more criticism, but with the way things are changing in Saudi Arabia, there’s more room to show a different side of what it means to be a Saudi woman,” Sonia speaks to this shift. “There’s a real opportunity to redefine what it means to be a creative here – breaking away from traditional expectations and embracing a more authentic, diverse expression of who we are.”

With her upcoming podcast Sonia’s Personal Space, she’s trekking deeper into these conversations, using her experiences as a starting post for connection. The podcast is structured as a bite-sized breakdown of her observations each week – packaged with the effortlessly hilarious intonations of her musings. “I love reflecting on what’s happened to me and using those moments as a springboard for discussions, connecting them to stories from my past.” The concept is compelling enough, but the next step would involve bringing that energy into live spaces where she can engage directly with her audience.

A force of change and a rising star, Sonia’s ultimate mission is to dispense of the shame surrounding authenticity for Arab women. “Growing up, it was so rare to see someone like me in the public eye – and if they were there, they were often the punchline. I want to change that. I want to be a reminder that it’s okay to be yourself, to feel loved and accepted for who you are, no matter what anyone else thinks.”