Today we’d like to introduce you to Chhavi Verg
Hi Chhavi, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Born in India, I moved to the US with my family when I was four. Finding my place in a new culture while preserving my Indian heritage was a journey filled with peaks and valleys. As a pre-teen and teen, I struggled with self-image and societal beauty standards but found confidence through dance and being on stage. Dancing paved the way for my initial modeling opportunities, and not long after, I discovered beauty pageants. I was crowned Miss NJ USA at 19 years old, and in 2017, I became Miss USA 2017 vice-queen, becoming the first Indian and the second person from NJ to make this placement in the history of the competition. I gained widespread recognition and a platform to advocate for things I cared about, such as women’s empowerment and sharing the beauty of Indian culture with the world.
Through Miss USA, I found a love for being in front of the camera. I started sharing my journey on social media, building an online community, traveling, and speaking on issues I was passionate about. I have gotten to work with major brands like Emirates, L’Oreal, Adidas, and Disney, and even fulfilled my dream of giving not just one, but two TEDx talks. I launched a successful career as a content creator, model, and speaker but wanted to do even more to leave an impact. This led me to create my beauty/wellness brand, Eastern Glo, to empower others, and to mentor young women for pageants, helping them build confidence and achieve their dreams.
My journey hasn’t been easy. I faced self-doubt and setbacks, but every challenge made me stronger and more determined. I learned that true fulfillment comes from pursuing your passions and lifting others as you rise.
I hope to remind others to embrace their unique path, dream big, and never give up. Every step you take, no matter how small, can lead to incredible opportunities.
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?
I have definitely had my fair share of self-doubts and setbacks.
Growing up, I struggled with self-image and societal beauty standards, especially colorism. It was dance that gave me my confidence.
With pageants, I didn’t place the first time I competed at Miss NJ USA. That moment only added fuel to the fire needed to win the following year.
Post-Miss USA was a confusing time for me, as I was still in college and felt myself wanting to explore a career in front of the camera. I was unsure of what I wanted to do- continue a career in marketing or give acting/modeling a shot. I decided to choose the latter and simultaneously began posting on social media. That lead me to having the career I have now.
Through these instances, I have learned to never prematurely judge a situation. Life is filled with peaks and valleys, but it is your attitude and what you do in the “valleys” of life, that determine how high you rise.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
As a model, I work with Wilhelmina Models, participating in a range of campaigns from beauty to fitness.
As an entrepreneur, I have built a substantial online presence with a following of half a million where I share content about South Asian culture, travel, fashion, and holistic wellness/self-development. My podcast, “Chai with Chhavi,” offers wellness insights and tips. I am also the founder of Eastern Glo, a beauty brand inspired by South Asian traditions and culture.
As a speaker and presenter, I have delivered impactful talks at charity galas and corporate events, engaging audiences at TCS, Rutgers University, Toastmasters, and on TEDx stages. Most recently, I hosted a travel documentary with Warner Bros., showcasing my versatility and passion for storytelling, travel, and exploration.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was very focused on academics, yet I always loved being in front of people. From a young age, dancing was a passion of mine. I trained in Bharatanatyam for 12 years, completing my arangetram, and also participated in Bollywood-Fusion.
I have always loved speaking and connecting with people. As a child, while most of my classmates would shy away from presenting school projects, I would always volunteer to speak in front of the class. My passion for languages led me to become fluent in Hindi, English, and Spanish. During COVID, I also picked up a good amount of French, although I need to get back into practice now!
Despite my achievements, I struggled a great deal with self-image when I was younger. I didn’t grow up feeling “beautiful,” largely due to comments made about my weight, appearance, and skin color. I still remember being called “ugly” by a classmate and even by my own cousin. Perhaps that’s why I was so enchanted by shows like America’s Next Top Model. I loved seeing how glamorous and beautiful the models were, and I dreamed of one day achieving that level of confidence and beauty.
Pricing:
- Pageant Mentoring (Custom)
- Speaking/Presenting (Custom)
- Social Media Promotion (Custom)
- Modeling (Custom)
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.chhavivergofficial.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chhaviverg?igsh=MTJlZ2czejVlZnphdg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@chhavivergofficial?si=HsbuuJbP1dL3sH8A
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@chhaviverg?_t=8o6GsdbS6fL&_r=1
Image Credits
Indy Sagoo
Fadil Berisha
Lisa Richov
Sachi Anand
Jay Sullivan
