Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky Deeyah Khan
Mar 17, 2026
Deeyah Khan, Emmy- and Peabody-winning filmmaker and activist who sits with extremists to explore human dignity. She recounts leaving music after threats, learning filmmaking, and confronting jihadis and white supremacists on camera. Short, intense stories examine how shame, belonging, and listening shape pathways to violence and hope.
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Father Threw Away Barbies To Make A Musician
- Father Forced A Music Career By Tossing Toys Away.
- At seven Deeyah's father threw her Barbies in a chute and insisted she pursue music, buying a keyboard and arranging classical training in Pakistan.
Death Threats Ended Her Pop Stardom
- Death Threats Ended Her Pop Career And Forced Her To Leave Norway.
- After escalating threats, spitting and explicit death messages, a near-18 Deeyah decided she wouldn't "take a bullet" and left music and Norway for London.
She Taught Herself Filmmaking And Won Emmys
- Self-Taught Filmmaker Made Banaz Documentary Over Four Years.
- Deeyah bought a Sony camera, learned on YouTube, funded parts by doing music, and produced Banas A Love Story which led to ITV interest and Emmys/Peabody recognition.