KHAMSA For The Culture is our series where we tap the coolest people we know for their cultural picks—what they’re watching, listening to, and reading right now. Think of it as a shortcut to fresh movies, songs, TV shows, and more, all handpicked to add to your list.
For this edition of For The Culture, we turn to Rana Boustany (@arabiancurlygirl on Instagram), the creative mind and founder of ashta (@ashtabeautysupply on Instagram), a beauty brand rethinking haircare through an Arab lens.
Through accessories, content, and quiet storytelling, Rana centers curly hair and softness as acts of culture. Her work questions inherited beauty standards, and gently reframes Arab femininity around care, texture, and intention.
١. If you had to recommend one current TV show to the world, which one would it be?
Mo. It’s funny, touching, and deeply meaningful — one of the few recent shows I genuinely looked forward to. Mo Amer portrays what it’s like to be Palestinian in the West with so much honesty and nuance, while still creating something entertaining and accessible.
It’s rare to see that balance done so well, which is why I think it’s such an important watch and would recommend it to everyone.
٢. Which one recent song would you say is ‘your song’?
Narein by Tul8te. An Arabic song with Spanish guitar is the key to my heart — Tul8te does that really well. He’s too good.
٣. Which relatively new book are you taking with you to your lone island getaway?
A Woman is a School by Celine Semaan. I was drawn to the title immediately, and the book itself feels just as powerful — reflective, grounding, and rich in perspective. It’s the kind of book you want time and space to really sit with.
٤. If your phone had space for only one modern podcast, which one are you downloading?
The Huberman Lab.
Anyone who knows me knows I take my health and routines very seriously.
I’m big on self-optimization, and Andrew Huberman’s podcast is incredibly informative. His episodes are packed with knowledge; this would definitely be the one podcast I’d keep.
٥. If you had the choice to preserve one recent film out of all in an eternal archive, which one are you choosing?
El Sett. For the culture! Umm Kulthum holds a very special place in my heart — she’s my grandpa’s favorite, and we’ve spent countless moments together listening to her music and dissecting her songs. The film brings you closer to her inner life and the sacrifices she made to build her legacy. She was such a powerful, disciplined woman, and she reminds me of my Egyptian great-grandmother, who I unfortunately never got to meet but grew up hearing so many stories about.
I feel like Umm Kulthum truly embodies her spirit, and watching her story on screen was incredibly moving for me.
