This Girl's Changed

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BBC One Yorkshire HD

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Persephone Rizvi

Heenan Bhatti

Paula Haydock

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Factual: Real Life Stories

BBC Three - This Girl's Changed

Persephone Rizvi reconnects with old friends who she left behind when she embraced Islam.

Self-confessed party girl Persephone Rizvi embraced Islam seven years ago, leaving her old friends behind. This unique documentary follows her as she attempts to reconnect with them.

Growing up in Yorkshire, Persephone Rizvi was a self-professed party girl. She lived for the weekend nightlife: drink, boys and fun – in any order. But it all got too much and something needed to change. Five years ago, Persephone embraced Islam, finding a solution to her problems. But in leaving her old life behind – swapping parties for a life of reflection and her stud-pressed stilettos for a headscarf – she also cut off ties with the close friends she grew up with, disappearing without so much as a word.  

Seven years on, Persephone’s settled into her new life as a Muslim and is back in her hometown of Huddersfield. But for her, one thing remains unresolved: closure with the old friends she cut off when she converted (or ‘reverted’ as Muslims term it). In this unique and moving documentary, the cameras follow Persephone as she reaches out to her old friends. It’s no simple matter. Can she resolve the issues which soured some of her friendships and have been left festering over time; can she overcome deep nerves to meet the people she once called her ‘ride and dies' and then cut off without a word. 

Exploring friendship, faith and growing up, ultimately Persephone has to ask a simple question: she and her friends may have moved on – but can they get on?

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