Today we’d like to introduce you to Shalini Srivastava
Shalini, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in very small town of India Prayagraj..my family always encouraged me to have a clerical job and fashion and modeling was always limited towards television only. When I came to the USA, I thought to have a look on fashion school and see if I have any chance to get in to this industry.. but my credits didn’t allow me to get the admission.. slowly I started my influencer journey in 2015 and very soon realized I meant for in front of camera .. I started collaborating with photographers and brands. And I found my mother agency when they approached me for my first local commercial in San Francisco for a clothing brand in the city. Then after I never looked back and started building my portfolio for more potential work prospects. With my decision of making career in modeling industry, my parents weren’t happy and whenever my relatives used to ask my parents about my work in the USA, they use to say I work in a bank … but once they saw me on a car commercial and a music video which was aired in India’s local Channel, they realized how hard I worked to be here and what I am doing as my full time … now after 10 years of work experience and seeing me often on social media and commercials, they accepted my work and proudly say to everyone, what I actually do. They say My daughter is a model and actress in USA.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The kinda life I had in India compared to here I would say I am living my best life. A girl can fight with all the obstacles who comes towards her but fighting with her own parents for having a career she likes, is very difficult and almost impossible. If you know how India’s small town works and how the middle class family works, you will understand where I am coming from. Girls are not allowed to have her own career choices, or clothes or foods or views.
And when I overcame with that one big obstacle I started to fight with the language barrier as English is not my first language. Because asking for more work you need to have a good communication skills, But this small huddle I figured out slowly and gradually. I learned to survive and people were very supportive.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am model and Actress in Bayarea and Los Angeles. I do commercial, editorial, print, catalog, Runway etc. I have done few commercials projects like airlines, Cars and beauty, jewelry, lifestyle. I have done few acting work non union, as well.
I can proudly call this as my full time job. . Because every morning I just not only wake up and go to work. Every morning I wake up & go to the work which gives me happiness, satisfaction and hope. How many of us can say that they live the life where they never get tired of work?
My passionate and never giving up nature, My attitude of always finding something positive in a day or people I meet or places I go, sets me apart.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
A people can support and work with a model by bringing good paid work. Keeping environment professional and stress free. Always being transparent about the project (Paid or Collaboration). Giving opportunities to every types of color, size and height.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://m.imdb.com/name/nm13919908/
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/shalini_indian
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shalinitinsrivastava?mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@curlymadhuri?_t=8pmLK8hx5Vn&_r=1
