She was born in Bergerac France, and was primarily raised by her maternal grandmother until the age of five, when she suddenly died from a severe stroke. After two weeks in foster care, the social workers were finally able to contact Soraya's biological mother Vivienne Dabney, who had been in Paris pursuing a rising modeling career.

So at five years old, little Soraya began living full time with her mother in the modeling agencies sponsored flat in Paris; along with several other runway model roommates. It quickly became an issue as Vivienne didn't have the time or skills to care for her daughter. She loved her, but caring for a child was not something she was interested in. All Vivienne wanted was to be a famous model, and she would do whatever she needed to reach her dream. In order to succeed she didn't worry about dating men of questionable reputation. The sex, drugs, drinking, and parties that seemed to be happening at all hours was also a problem. It was not at all a safe place for a little kid.

Once Vivienne's agency found out that a five year old was living in their flat, they gave Vivi a week to move out or be dropped from the agency. Scrambling she packed up her and Soraya's things to move into her new nightclub hopping boyfriend's place. Jean was not a good guy, but Vivienne had no other options. She decided obtaining some child support or black mailing one of the wealthy married men she had slept with was the way to go. The side job as a cocktail waitress was not going to cut it, and Jean was a violent drunk.

After many letters, emails, threats, and later a court ordered DNA test, she was able to obtain a huge amount of money. Of course the fact that thee Raoul Savoy was her babies daddy had to be kept unwraps from the public as per the legal agreement they came to. A monthly 5 grand was wired to Vivi; meant for the care of Soraya and keeping everything hush hush. Raoul at that time was newly married to his second wife, and a random illegitimate daughter popping up in France was not something he planned to share with the family.

With the new income, Vivienne quickly moved out of Jean's place, though that was not the last she would see of him. Toxic men seemed to be something Vivi collected. She became the it girl in among Paris nightlife, and most of the Nouveau riche in the city. She partied like a rockstar, buying anything she wanted, and basically lived it up as the newest popular model. If Soraya wasn't in school, she was toted around by her mother to parties and runway shows like a little dress up doll. She was being raised among the drama and chaos of the Parisian fashion world, with no rules to speak of.

Soraya was seven when her mother started dating a photographer named Arnaud, he had a predilection for taking rather erotic and controversial photos, but was considered an artist within the photography world. Soraya became his new muse, and Vivi was all for it. She loved the idea of Soraya becoming a model too, as everyone had told her multiple times that her little girl was beautiful, and looked like a mini copy of herself. This was about the time that things began spiraling for Vivi.

Vivienne was still trying to make it even bigger. She wanted to be a world famous model, a household name, an unforgettable star. Being only popular in France was not going to cut it anymore. Unfortunately her new drug habit was not kind to her. The frequent bloody noses, dark circles under her eyes, emotional outbursts, needle marks between her toes, and being strung out during modeling jobs was costing her more and more. Fainting in the middle of a runway show was the last straw, and her agency dropped her.

Arnaud moved in after convincing Vivienne to enter rehab, and that he would take manage the house and Soraya while she did her best to get better. Being under Arnaud care while her mother was gone, was worse then the dramatic life with her mother. He decided she was old enough to fend for herself when he wasn't home. There would be days at a time she was left alone by herself. It was obvious neglect at this point, but now eight years old she did her best to manage. Arnaud photographs of Soraya also began to overstep the line of acceptability, as there was no reasonable adult around to speak up. This went on for the next four months until her mother came home from rehab.

Vivienne was clean, and looked so much better. But jumping back into real life was a slap in the face...or more like being hit by a bus. She was trying her best, taking her medications, going to weekly therapy sessions, and staying away from her friends who were still living the party life. Soraya was just happy to have her mom home; and sober mom spent a lot more time with her. Most of the summer was spent tagging along with her mom, as she attempted to get a new modeling agency to hire her. In between tryouts, headshots, and small gigs they would go for things like ice cream, take strolls around the city, and explore the library. It was so much more peaceful now then it had been over the last three years for Soraya. She loved her mom, and she really wish things would keep changing for the better.

Arnaud stuck around during this whole trying time. At first he supported Vivienne, but as time went on he became bored and fed up playing the good guy, especially after Vivi said he couldn't photograph Soraya anymore. The brake up was brutal, and unfortunately by the end of the summer things started going down hill again. Vivi spent most days emotionlessly watching television or laying in bed; she stopped going to therapy, and seemed to have given up trying to get her modeling career back.

School started up again, and Soraya worried about leaving her mom home alone. Vivi wouldn't even eat or drink anything unless she reminded her to. It took over two months for her mother to come out of her deep depression. And during that time Soraya became the caretaker at home. By the end of autumn Vivienne was back trying to get herself modeling jobs. After reaching out to some of her old friends, she finally got booked by a famous haute contour designer. She was going to be the main model of a vouge fashion spread.

New years came and went. Soraya turned nine years old in at the beginning of March. Vivienne was booking jobs left and right. She started hanging out with her old friends, though she endeavored to stay away from the drugs. The more parties she went to, the harder it became. During an after party at the hottest night club in the city, she made the choice to shoot up. She told her self just this once...Vivienne died of a drug overdoes that night. Soraya was taken into foster care the next morning. A few days later she was on a private plane to Geneva Switzerland, now in the custody of her biological father who she had never even met or spoken to in her whole life.

Raoul's current wife at the time was none to happy with the surprise daughter moving in. There was already problems within the marriage, and Soraya's arrival became the final straw. He and wife number two divorced about a six months later. Raoul made no effort to get to know his young daughter, but he spared no expense getting her the best nannies, tutors, and therapist available. After she was doing academically well with her tutors, he quickly got her enrolled at Collège du Léman Sàrl, as a boarding student. She didn't hope for to much from him, the only male figures in her life thus far had been Vivienne's half a dozen or so toxic boyfriends, and a revolving door of flings. But a kid could hope.

She was surprised to find that she had two older brothers. The idea of having loving siblings was quickly smashed when Gervais made his negative opinion on Soraya's arrival well known. The few times Bernard came home from university on the weekends he attempted to be a big brother figure. The 12 year age gap didn't make is easy, she appreciated his friendliness none the less.

She would spend the next four years at boarding school. It was the most care and structure she had ever gotten in her life, and she thrived. She made friends, and excelled academically. She learned to play cello, and piano. She participated in swimming, gymnastics, skiing, and ballet. It became her happy place. The majority of her summer brakes were spent at the school's summer program, and a few weeks at one of the families summer estates, on the beach in southern Italy.

Soraya was in the middle of 7th grade when her father announced his engagement to Shelby. She had met her for the first time that previous summer, when the family all gathered together at a resort for a two week vacation in the Bahamas. Shelby was overall a good person, who genuinely wanted to get to know Soraya. Most of the vacation was spent together, swimming, sailing, and relaxing at the spa. Anyway she never thought Shelby and her father would get married. The wedding was held about a year later. It took place in California. She met her new step-sister Lola, and they were fast friends. She liked the role of being a big sister.

It was soon decided that Soraya would be going to high school at Shelby's alma mater BHHS. Moving to California and living as a family with her father, Shelby, and Lola was bizarre. Leaving her precious boarding school really changed things, and America was something else.

When she started as a freshman at BHHS, Soraya was a innocent fish out of water, whose knowledge of Beverly Hills social norms, and public American high school was nil. She was behind on pop culture, and the who's who of the California society pages, but that quickly ceased to be an issue with the help of her step-mother, and the Savoy name. She had so much free time on her hands, she had no idea what to do with herself.

Raoul playing at family, didn't last long. Soraya was half way though freshman year when he flew back to Europe. He spent less and less time in California. Shelby didn't seem to mind. He was bank rolling her life, and was happy enough with that.

Feel free to make connections with your own characters to these peeps

Father - Raoul Savoy - (FC: Clive Owen) - Father of Soraya, Gervais, & Bernard. He is a French banker billionaire, and one of the wealthiest people in the world. Raoul is a confident, domineering, and charismatic man. He likes his woman gorgeous & young; Enjoys collecting cigars & fancy cars. His spare time is spent competing at chess, playing golf, yachting, having affairs, and attending lux soirees. Soraya is not close to her father, they are practically strangers, as he spends the majority of his time at the family Estate in Switzerland. Age 62

Half Brother - Gervais Savoy - (FC: Ryan Guzman) - He works as second-in-command for his father's empire, taking care of the California and New York branch of Savoy business. Gervais is a charming, narcissistic, ambitious, egotistical workaholic. The little time he spends not working, he partakes in horse racing, sailing, kickboxing, and fencing. He is very obviously their fathers favorite of his offspring. Of all Soraya's family member she dislikes him the most, because he is very outspoken about the fact that Soraya is a mistake, and has referred to her has a leach before. Age 32

Half Brother - Bernard Savoy - (FC: Skyler Astin) - Soraya's is closer to him compared to the rest of her blood related relatives. When she first came into the family, he was the only one that made any effort to get to know her, and attempt to behave like a friendly big brother. He owns a real estate investment firm in California, though he spends a lot of the year jet setting around Europe. He is your typical country club rich boy; funny, sarcastic, spontaneous, irreverent, and a secret sweetheart. Bernard enjoys gambling, especially cards. He also likes playing billiards, tennis, and piano. Age 30

Step Mother - Shelby Dunlap - (FC: Anna Chlumsky) - She is Raoul's current wife, and mother to Lola Tate. Shelby is a local California Socialite and BHHS Alum class of 2000. She comes from a moderately wealthy Beverly Hills family of lawyers & government officials. She is on the boards of all major charities and art organizations in the city. She spends the majority of her day shopping, and socializing with her friends at the country club, spa, beach resort, art galleries, and yoga studio. She is an ebullient, cheerful, stylish woman. She and Soraya get along fine. She is more of a fun aunt kind of figure verse a parent. Age 42

Step Sister - Lola Tate - (FC: Ana Tena) - She is a budding equestrian, and over all good student. Lola is a popular bubbly freshman at BHHS. She and Soraya are close, like true sisters. Lola is the most aware in the family of how Soraya truly feels. She is obsessed with all things pink, popular, or horse related. She has a horse named Paisley, who is her world. She lives at her father's malibu beach house on the weekends. Age 14

Shelby's Ex - Vincent Tate - (FC: Dominic West) - Lola's biological father, and Shelby's ex-husband. He is a famous Hollywood producer. When not working he enjoys watching baseball, and playing golf with is buddies. Vinny is an ambitious, principled, and stubborn. An all-American kind of guy. He is also a prideful Cornwall alum, who enjoys craft beer and playing with his motorcycle collection. Age 48

Raoul's 1st Ex-Wife - Angélique Darragon - (FC: Juliette Binoche) - She is the mother of Gervais and Bernard. She lives in France, and is a high end fashion designer. Over the last decade the Darragon brand has been compared to designers like Kate Spade, and Liz Claiborne. She and Raoul we married when Soraya was conceived. They divorced fourteen years ago. Age 53

Raoul's Main Mistress - Chantal Bohren - (FC: Nathalie Kelley) - She is a newly retired supermodel, her fame akin to Kate Moss. She is a selfish, vindictive, haughty, privileged, and overindulgent woman. Her goal is to become Raoul's third and final wife. Age 37

Mother - Vivienne Dabney - (FC: Phoebe Tonkin) -- She is Soraya's biological mother. Over a decade ago, she was an up incoming model in Pairs, but she later overdosed & died at age 26. She has basically been forgotten by the fashion world.