Yael Shelbia

Yael Shelbia was born in 2001 in Nahariya

Yael Shelbia Cohen was born in Nahariya on 31 August 2001 to a religious Zionist family. Her professional surname, Shelbia, comes from her family's roots on the island of Djerba in Tunisia.

She posted photos of herself on Instagram, and shortly before turning 16 photographer Marina Moskowitz offered her a professional shoot. Her modeling caused conflict with her religious girls' school, which threatened to expel her. After the Education Ministry was consulted, she was allowed to keep studying under certain guidelines.

In 2020 she enlisted in the IDF and served in the Air Force. Many religious girls in Israel choose civilian national service instead.

She modeled for Israeli brands Castro and Renuar and worked on campaigns in Paris, Milan and other places. In 2018 she modeled for KKW Beauty, and in 2019 she led a skincare campaign for Kylie Jenner. She says keeping Shabbat and modest dress cost her modeling contracts.

From 2020 she played Ruth Hirsch in the teen drama Palmach, her first acting role. In 2022 she was included in Forbes Israel's 30 Under 30 list. In 2024 she took part in the Festigal show for the first time.