Ridhi

Interview with MySpace Desi

Q. Tell us a little about you.
A. I was Born in Cook County Chicago, IL and raised in Rancho Cucamonga, CA. I’m pursuing a B.A. in Business Economics/Law & Society and a Minor in Spanish at the University of California Riverside. I eventually want to seek a career in corporate law and project planning in the entertainment field, such as an editor of fashion magazines, or video shoots etc.

Q. Why did you start modeling?
A. I sought out modeling to see the "backstage" of the entertainment field, and retrieve the networking and "know how" so I can later be on the business side and project planning of these photo shoots, video projects, marketing, events.

Q. Are you disappointed with the lack of Indian Americans in the American entertainment industry? Do you think the landscape will change?
A. I’m not disappointed, as I do see us fellow Indians working so hard. It is more so the field itself, but I do believe the landscape will change. It has progressed so drastically in the past 5 years, I can only say it will can only go up hill from here.

Q. Since Indian Americans have long been absent from the American entertainment industry, how important is it to have Indian Americans prominent in the entertainment industry? Where do you see yourself in the spectrum of rising Indian Americans in entertainment?
A. We do not have to be prominent in the industry but rather have an existence. Prominence does not show greatness, it shows vastness in number. Therefore our community should be more concerned with the effectiveness of what we have created in this industry. I see myself trying to create the avenue to help others follow their goals and dreams to be in this field.

Q. Speak about the importance of the Indian community. Does it play a role in your career?
A. The Indian community is tremendously important, they give such a great amount of support and love that everyone needs when in a field which is not orthodox of our Indian society. The Indian community is something you can take and use while in this industry, such as our morals, tradition, and culture. It plays a huge role in my life. There are people I do not even know but are overwhelmingly supportive just because I am Indian. It is so refreshing to see all the love and it should continue. It gives me something more to work for and represent.

Q. Who do you look up to?
A. I look up to my older brother, ASHISH. He has accomplished so mush at so young and took on anything difficult that came his way -always finding a path that he could accomplish in a smart and positive attitude. Though in a completely different field, I feel I can take his methods and attitude and accomplish the same in the entertainment field, and he has always been supportive for anything I take on.

Q. Who has most influenced your career?
A. My closest most dearest friends pushed me into this career. I originally had doubts and no real passion but only interest. They convinced and forced me to pursue something they completely saw that I would succeed in. Without their eagerness, I would never had entered the pageant. I owe it to them.

Q. If you could meet any A-list celebrity, who would it be and why?
A. I would love to meet Richard Branson, to see his enthusiasm and daringness for the industry. How he began his empire and established something so great and colossal. Also, I’d join him on his crazy adventures of extreme sports.

Q. If you had any superpower, what would it be and why?
A. I would love to fly so I can beat LA traffic! Also be able to travel the world at a much faster rate, saving time and money.

Q. What features do you get the most compliments on?
A. I get complimented on my eyes and smile. ;)

Q. Do you ever feel insecure about the way you look?
A. I never feel insecure, I love to embrace the fact that I’m lower than average height or as people say I do not look Indian, having big ears. I learn to take what I have and work with it. It goes for the saying if life hands you lemons, make lemonade. I really do see beauty in all.

Q. What do you look for in a guy?
A. I am not really particular with my guy selection, but I love when a guy makes me laugh. I am a very busy person so I need them be a part of my life rather than just in my life. And someone who is family oriented because it is something that is dear to me.

Q. How do you blow off a guy that you’re not interested in?
A. I am most generous and honest with everyone. I tell the true reason why, either I am already in a relationship, or I really do not have the time or this isn’t working out, or no thank you. I would hate for a person to lie to me and tell me some other reason.

Q. How do you attract a guy that you are interested in?
A. I flirt a little bit, be more attentative, or involved. Show them that I AM interested. I hate playing games. Just tell it how it is.

Q. How do you balance your professional, school, and social lives?
A. I am pretty good at balancing all of it. My best friend is my mac laptop and iphone, they are like my right and left hands. Everything and anything is noted, color coded, marked, and tracked. I am over obsessive with organizing. Being involved with so much, there is no room to not be on top of your ball.

Q. How do you stay in shape, what type of exercise, what type of food do you eat? Is there anything that you love to eat, but can’t because it would add unwanted pounds?
A. I try to be as active as possible, I actually do not set foot in a gym, its more of sports, dance, just jumping around everywhere, laughing, walking to a lot of places. As for eating; I’m not much of a fast food person, do not eat out as much but when I do I have no appetite for fast food too often but I do love the California IN n OUT and DEL TACO mmm. But you tend to eat healthy when our and home. I love Indian food, mom is the best cook. Most food doesn’t add on pounds to my body

Q. What is your beauty routine?
A. I make sure I put on coco butter lotion or BODY SHOP butter every morning and every night before I sleep. Wash my face regularly and do an apricot scrub. I don’t use anything too fancy. I use regular stuff you can get at TARGET. CLEAN n CLEAR and NEUTRAGENA are my favorite brands. My eyebrows I get them threaded maybe every 6 weeks and up keep them myself. as for make up the BEST EVER is BARE ESTENTIALS, hands down! I use DOVE body soap. as for hair shampoo I’m not too picky with but when styling I make sure I use ENJOY leave in conditioner since I blow dry, straighten my hair so much; it keeps my hair from going dry.

Q. Do you have any other guilty pleasures?
A. My guilty pleasure is crafts I love to create things, paint, build, anything hands on. I am a sucker for sports. Any and all sports!! USC and BASEBALL!! I love the teams from CHICAGO! Go CUBS.

Q. What is your biggest flaw?
A. I procrastinate all the time. Thinking I can always get it done. I tend to bite more than I can chew, meaning my involvement with so many activities tend to overlap or over exert me physically and mentally. and in some places I lack that 100% effort.

Q. What are your hobbies?
A. I love to dance, GOLF, scrapbooking, movies, soccer, crafts.

Q. What makes you happy?
A. People make me happy, to see others smiling just makes my day, my crazy funny family, my friends.

Q. What makes you unhappy?
A. When I let myself and others down, such as disappoint them. Not living up to my full potential, and seeing everyone's opportunities go to waste, things that are taken advantage of. Laziness as well, people can do so much, to make a difference for themselves and others. also when people do not act on what they preach.

Q. What is it like being on the talent end of the industry as opposed to the corporate end? How difficult is it to go on auditions and not get the part? How do you deal with rejection?
A. The talent end is really great, though I eventually want to reach the creative business side, it awesome to get the chance to express my creativity and what I have to offer. Auditions are not too difficult, because all you can do is your best, but you MUST do your research and be prepared. To be rejected is all bad but you take what the people did choose for the gig, analyze it and see what you need to prefect or bring to the table the next time. You learn from these rejections so it is not necessarily a lost. More like a learning tool for you to gain.

Q. What do you hope to get out of your modeling/acting career?
A. I hope to gain knowledge and connections, the tools you need to be on the creating aspect of the field. Also the way people and things work so I can also hand that down and create the path for our community.

Q. After your modeling/acting days are over, what would you like to do with your lives? What career will you pursue? What are your dreams and goals?
A. After modeling and acting I hope to be the editor or director behind these type of projects. Then also hopefully pursue a life in the corporate world and law. I do want to start a family soon, I believe a family is so important and I am so eager to hand down what my parents have given me in religion, tradition and culture.