If you've spent any time scrolling social media lately, chances are you've encountered the viral character Madame Najwa. With her oversized, embellished cat-eye glasses, impeccably coordinated tweed suits and unwavering confidence, she is the kind of woman who could critique your life choices, cooking skills and outfit in a single breath - and somehow leave you thanking her for it. The sharp-tongued Arab matriarch has become one of internet’s most recognisable personalities, delighting millions with her observations on family dynamics, ageing, motherhood, beauty standards and the uniquely theatrical world of Arab family life. But behind that alter ego is Lebanese Australian comedian Sarah Michaels.
The character’s rise to fame has been anything but conventional. Before millions of viewers knew Michaels as the creator of Najwa, she was working as a breathwork facilitator and life coach, helping women heal from trauma and find confidence. At the same time, she was studying for a diploma in counselling. Comedy, she says, wasn't part of the plan. Or maybe it was always there.
Growing up in a Lebanese household in Australia, Michaels was surrounded by larger-than-life personalities. Her father, a gifted imitator, filled the family home with laughter, while her mother unknowingly became the inspiration for the character that later changed her life. "I was always imitating my mum," Michaels recalls. "Everybody laughed, but I never thought of it as a talent." With a childhood admiration for comedian and actor Eddie Murphy's storytelling style, the foundation of a future comic career was slowly beginning to take shape.
Like the children of many immigrant families, Michaels grew up between cultures, attending Lebanese gatherings, political events, family celebrations and endless haflas where food, music, opinions and unsolicited advice flowed with equal enthusiasm. Frequent trips to Lebanon, including a year spent living there as a teenager, deepened her connection to her heritage. "I was always the funny one in the room," Michaels recounts. "But I thought people were laughing at me, not because I was talented." This belief followed her into adulthood until a speaking engagement at a women's event unexpectedly changed everything. While sharing personal stories and imitating her mother, she found herself making the audience laugh and cry in equal measure. Encouraged by the response, she enrolled in a stand-up comedy course and performed her first routine just days later.
The Najwa character emerged years later during the Covid lockdowns when Michaels, now 50, began dressing up and posting videos inspired by her mother. Her distinctive look was never accidental. "I wanted her to be extra," she says. "The character was just so obnoxious in the end that, in the back of my mind, she was like the Lebanese Dame Edna." And those glasses just became part of that larger-than-life persona. What started as a simple impersonation evolved into something much bigger. The character, named by her Instagram followers, became a blend of mothers, mothers-in-law, aunties and every unapologetically outspoken woman the audience seemed to know. Najwa's appeal lies in her relatability. Although rooted in Lebanese culture, viewers from Irish, Italian, Greek, German and countless other backgrounds regularly insist she resembles their own mothers. "That was the biggest surprise," Michaels shares. "I thought she was unique to my family." Apparently, maternal judgement transcends borders.
Today, Michaels is exploring book projects, a cooking show, YouTube expansion and potential TV opportunities. However, beneath the humour lies a deeper message. Having overcome periods of profound personal struggle, including depression and serious health challenges, she wants her story to inspire others. Her favourite lesson – borrowed from self-help author Wayne Dyer – is simple: Don't die with the music still in you. Madame Najwa may be the one wearing the glasses, but it is Michaels who is proving that sometimes the biggest laughs arrive right on time.
Styling Carlos Mangubat
Make-up: Sylvia Ura
Photography assistant: Lukas White
Styling assistants: Rini Pradhan and Kyah Purling
This article was originally published in the September 2026 issue of Vogue Arabia.
