Abu Dhabi has long had plenty of stories to tell, with its striking skyline, cultural landmarks, beaches, and desert landscapes. Now, those stories are travelling even further, helped along by a host of familiar faces from the worlds of Hollywood, Bollywood, and international sport.
Through high-profile campaigns and ambassador roles, these stars are introducing Abu Dhabi to audiences globally, offering their own take on what makes the capital worth discovering.
If Abu Dhabi seems to be appearing on more screens, billboards, and social feeds than ever before, there’s a good reason for it.
When Hollywood Comes to the Capital
Chris Hemsworth and Elsa Pataky have become familiar faces for Visit Abu Dhabi, using their regional profile to showcase the emirate as somewhere that can cater to adventure seekers and families looking for a slower escape.
Their campaigns have taken them into the desert and across the city, with the couple featuring in films that explore Abu Dhabi’s culture, scenery and experiences. Their first ‘Find Your Pace’ campaign in 2024 positioned the capital as a place where visitors can enjoy the destination on their own terms.
Fast-forward to 2026 and they are back exploring Abu Dhabi together, with the latest ‘Live It All’ campaign taking viewers through the emirate’s landscapes and experiences.
So, if Chris Hemsworth is suddenly staring down at you from a billboard in Sydney while standing in the Al Wathba dunes, believe us when we say it’s not AI putting him there.
Bollywood Brings Its Own Abu Dhabi Story
Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone have added an entirely different flavour to Visit Abu Dhabi’s global campaigns.
The Bollywood power couple starred in ‘Somewhere Only We Know’, with Ranveer introducing Deepika to some of his favourite Abu Dhabi experiences with a romantic twist.
The campaign takes the pair through some of the capital’s cultural, dining and leisure highlights, including Louvre Abu Dhabi, The Galleria, and Sontaya at The St Regis Saadiyat Island.
It works particularly well because Abu Dhabi isn’t simply being presented as a backdrop. The couple’s chemistry becomes part of the story, giving audiences a more personal and aspirational reason to imagine themselves here.
Pure Fun with Liu Yifei and Millie Bobby Brown
Chinese actress Liu Yifei, known for playing Mulan, has also been used to connect Abu Dhabi with audiences in China, with Visit Abu Dhabi campaigns showcasing her natural discovery for the capital’s shopping and leisure scene.
Millie Bobby Brown then follows, taking her global Stranger Things fame over to Yas Island. As brand ambassador for the island, Brown has starred in campaigns that cleverly blend her screen persona with the destination.
One particularly memorable instalment sees her heading towards Formula Rossa at Ferrari World Abu Dhabi with husband Jake Bongiovi, offering a playful nod to her most famous role.
Meaning you could be walking through central London, look up at a billboard and find Eleven flying around one of Abu Dhabi’s rollercoasters.
Football’s Global Icons Join the Line-Up
It’s not just the red-carpet stars who take the roles. Ronaldo Nazário, better known to football fans simply as “the real Ronaldo” or R9, became a global brand ambassador for Aldar Properties in 2026.
The partnership gives one of football’s most recognisable names a role in representing a company deeply involved in Abu Dhabi’s growing collection of destinations and developments, making the sales of these luxury properties even more appealing.
And then there was another Brazilian football legend involved in Abu Dhabi’s sporting story this year. Zico served as an ambassador for the Open Masters Games Abu Dhabi 2026, an event that brought more than 25,000 participants together across 37 sports.
Why Abu Dhabi Is Bringing in the Big Names
The interesting thing is that these celebrities aren’t all telling the same story. Hemsworth and Pataky bring family adventure and Hollywood appeal. Ranveer and Deepika offer romance and Bollywood glamour. Liu Yifei provides a powerful connection with Chinese audiences, while Millie Bobby Brown brings Yas Island directly into the orbit of a huge international fanbase. Ronaldo and Zico, meanwhile, tap into football’s truly global language.
For Abu Dhabi, that means the message travels far beyond traditional tourism advertising. These stars already have audiences who follow where they go, what they do and, crucially, where they choose to spend their time.
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