Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 15: Alicia Kaur, a Mumbai-based supermodel with Australian roots, has risen to prominence in the Indian fashion industry with her striking runway presence, including notable appearances at events like Lakme Fashion Week. Recently, Alicia shared her experiences dealing with skin color diversity trolls and discrimination during the early years of her career.
Although the modelling and fashion industries have made strides toward embracing diversity, the journey has not always been smooth. Alicia, in a conversation with reflected on the challenges she faced in both Australia and India, particularly in the early stages of her career.
“When I started modelling, one of the biggest things I was bullied for online was being white. I got remarks like, ‘Get this white girl out of the country.’ And I thought, in my own country, I’m not considered a white girl. I grew up being called a ‘wog,’ a derogatory term for someone of Greek or Italian heritage. My mum is Anglo-Chinese, and my dad is Greek. I grew up feeling like I didn’t belong in my own country,” she shared.
She went on to explain, “To then come here and be called a white girl was disheartening. It made me realise that, no matter where I go, there will always be bullies. Discrimination seems to follow you, regardless of where you are.”
Alicia also spoke about her personal mantra for overcoming such negativity:
“There will always be someone who believes they are right, or that their way is the only way. I’ve completely detached myself from this negativity through self-talk. I tell myself, ‘Nope, don’t get involved.’ I see beauty in every individual because there’s something beautiful in all of us. I know who I am, or at least I think I do. I’m still learning and growing. My ultimate goal is to become a better person every day. But to achieve that, I need to understand who I am and what I love about myself.”
Reflecting on her career journey, Alicia acknowledged the numerous challenges and rejections she faced early on. Despite this, she maintained a disciplined lifestyle, a principle she now imparts to young, aspiring models.
“I believe in the power of daily practice. Discipline and consistency keep you focused. Having a routine, setting goals, and envisioning who you want to become are key. Every goal I set for myself in India, I’ve managed to achieve.”
Alicia Kaur also made headlines earlier this year with her performance alongside actor Sidharth Malhotra at a retro-themed fashion show by designer duo Shantanu and Nikhil in Delhi.