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For illustrator and animator Rama Duwaji, public attention arrived suddenly and unexpectedly. Used to working quietly in her Brooklyn studio, she found herself introduced to a much wider audience after a series of carefully styled images appeared in collaboration with The Cut. The response was immediate, with many viewers drawn to her calm confidence and distinctive presence. Rather than feeling celebratory, the moment felt vulnerable, forcing Duwaji to confront how quickly public narratives can form before an artist is fully understood.
Her sudden visibility was closely linked to her husband, Zohran Mamdani, whose election as New York City’s mayor placed Duwaji in a public role she had never sought. Online reactions poured in, often praising her style, but frequently framing her primarily as a political spouse. While grateful for the kindness, Duwaji has spoken openly about the discomfort of having her identity reduced, noting that early coverage often overlooked her years of independent creative work.
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