One’s longevity in the cultural spotlight post–Love Island USA is always a bit of a toss-up. But there’s no denying that season 6 runner-up Leah Kateb has made a lasting name for herself in the reality-star-turned-celebrity pipeline. Since her run on the show ended in July 2024, she’s been busy sitting front row at luxury fashion shows (including Roberto Cavalli and Off-White, to name a few), starring in a Love Island spin-off with her friends and castmates, and gracing red carpets alongside her villa partner and now boyfriend, Miguel Harichi.
As of last summer, Leah has also firmly planted herself in the beauty industry as the creative director and refounder of clean fragrance brand Skylar (it happens to be a longtime favorite among Cosmo editors). In her new role, she’s deeply involved in reimagining Skylar and focused on weaving personal storytelling into every bottle. With her sophomore launch, that means paying tribute to her Persian roots. Meet her latest scent: Pomegranate Princess.
Debuting at Sephora on March 21, Pomegranate Princess is a fruity gourmand that pays homage to Leah’s Iranian heritage—her parents immigrated to the United States from Iran before she was born. In Persian culture, the pomegranate (also known as “anar” in her first language, Farsi) symbolizes “regal beauty, abundance, and femininity,” Leah told me on a call while hiking with Miguel and her beloved dog Blue. “I love the fruit so much, and it’s present in so many Persian dishes and traditions.”
The timing is intentional: The launch coincides with Nowruz, the Persian New Year, which represents regrowth, fertility, and rebirth—all themes the fragrance embodies. “Nowruz is a time of renewal and honoring where you come from, which is exactly what this drop represents,” she explains.
Fragrance type: Eau de Parfum
Fragrance family: Gourmand
Key notes: Pomegranate, strawberry, whipped frosting
Like many first-generation Americans, Leah says her appreciation for her background didn’t always come easily. “I grew up in a predominantly white neighborhood, and my first language wasn’t English. I was teased for everything from my accent to my family member’s names,” she says. “I felt like I didn’t fit in. Even something as small as the lunch I brought to school made me feel embarrassed.”
Now, at 26, seeing her Persian identity reflected on Sephora shelves—alongside some of the biggest fragrance houses—means everything. The pomegranate, in particular, has long been a through line in her life. “Every house I’ve ever lived in has coincidentally had a pomegranate tree,” she says. Naturally, she knew it had to be the star of this scent.
Middle Eastern people, especially women, have long been misrepresented. But our culture is rich, beautiful, and something I carry with immense pride.
—Leah Kateb
Amid the ongoing violence and unrest in her family’s home country, Leah feels this fragrance arrives at an imperative moment. Months after thousands of Iranian protesters were killed in the streets of Tehran and as attacks continue to escalate, she has used her platform to advocate for the people of Iran. Earlier this year, she shared a carousel of photos on Instagram: “My parents were lucky enough to escape during the revolution, but my family is still there fighting. Iran is not its government. Iran is its beautiful people.” A portion of the proceeds from Pomegranate Princess will support animals, families, and children in need in Iran. “This perfume isn’t just a celebration, but a way to give back,” she says.
Leah hopes that Pomegranate Princess introduces a broader audience to the beauty of Persian culture, while also giving the Iranian community a moment to feel seen and celebrated. She’s already witnessing that impact firsthand, telling me that fans have approached her in Los Angeles to share how proud she makes them feel to be Persian. “When girls tell me they’re proud of where they come from because of me—how they look, how they see themselves, their culture—that means everything,” she says. “It’s something I wish I had growing up.”
During Leah’s time on Love Island, the internet dubbed her the “People’s Princess” for bringing authenticity and realness to the villa. Ironically, without access to her phone, she assumed viewers felt the opposite way about her. “When we were creating this scent and my team came up with the name Pomegranate Princess, it was just a perfect fit,” she says with a laugh. “I’ve been called many things, but the one I hold closest is the people’s princess.”
As for her real-life princess counterpart? Snow White. “I feel like I embody her—animals always flock to me. Even in the villa, birds would come and just sit with me.”
When asked to describe Pomegranate Princess in just three words, Leah lands on: fruity, beautiful, and a blessing. This isn’t just a fragrance launch. It’s a celebration of her roots, identity, and the joy she wants others to feel in embracing who they are. “Middle Eastern people, especially women, have long been misrepresented. But our culture is rich, beautiful, and something I carry with immense pride.”
This interview has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
Check Out More of Leah’s Skylar Favorites
Skylar Vanilla Sky Eau de Parfum
Skylar Double Dates Eau de Parfum
Skylar Nude Skin Eau de Parfum
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
