We recently connected with Keerthi Reddy and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Keerthi, thanks for joining us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

My story is truly inspiring—a blend of resilience, passion, and pursuing dreams despite life’s challenges.

From childhood, I was drawn to creativity, fashion, and dance, even as you pursued a career in microbiology, reflecting my curiosity about the world. While growing up in a traditional Indian middle-class family, creative pursuits were not prioritized, and like many, set my dreams aside for early marriage, raising children, and family responsibilities. As kids grew and left for college, I reassessed life, realizing much of my time had been devoted to others.

A turning point came in September 2022, when a serious injury—a misdiagnosed Achilles tendon rupture—left me bedridden for months, forcing me to reflect on my passions and goals. Despite doubts and physical struggles, I have decided to chase a long-standing dream, encouraged by a friend who had once been a beauty pageant winner. Though middle-aged and physically challenged, I pushed through the difficulties and entered the pageant, eventually being crowned Mrs. Bharat Curvy.

My story embodies the power of persistence and the belief that it’s never too late to follow your dreams.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am most proud of my unique blend of creativity, science, and resilience. Growing up in a traditional Indian middle-class family, I cultivated a passion for fashion and classical dance while building a career as a product manager in IT. Despite the responsibilities of marriage, raising children, and managing family obligations, I never lost touch with my creative side.

As women, we often feel pressured to choose between family and personal dreams, but I believe that a modern woman can balance both and still chase her passions. I am here to support and empower women, helping them feel confident and live life fully, because this life is yours to embrace.

I often ask myself, “Who am I?” Beyond being a wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend, it’s important to discover your individual identity and the purpose for which you came into this world. I’m committed to giving back by partnering with nonprofit organizations like Ammanaana Anadashramam, which supports physically challenged elderly people by providing food and shelter.

My story is one of persistence, self-belief, and the understanding that it’s never too late to follow your dreams. I am proud that I didn’t give up, and I hope to inspire others to find their strengths and overcome any obstacles. I stand as a testament to resilience, confidence, and the power of rediscovering oneself.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The lesson I had to unlearn during my journey from relearning to walk, taking baby steps, to confidently owning the stage in a pageant, was that other people’s opinions should never dictate my choices. My struggle was not just physical, as I endured surgery and painful physical therapy, learning to walk again and eventually mastering walking in heels. It was also emotional, facing resistance and discouragement from those close to me, telling me not to pursue this dream.

I chose to listen to myself instead. What I learned is that you shouldn’t give weight to others’ opinions, especially when they’re not present in your toughest moments or truly understand your potential. You are your own dreamer, your own biggest fan. If you believe in yourself, go for it. Yes, the journey is often solitary, but don’t give up until you reach your goal—eventually, everything and everyone will fall into place.

Throughout this process, I gained new friends and followers who appreciate my creativity, fashion, entertainment, and culture. Life is short, and I’ve learned to enjoy it fully while hurting no one. At the same time, I continue to balance work and life, always staying present for my loved ones. Running away from responsibilities isn’t the answer. The real goal is to chase your dreams while honoring your commitments, and one day, if you stay true to yourself and patient, everything will align perfectly.

In your view, what can society to do to best support artists, creatives and a thriving creative ecosystem?

In my view, women need to uplift and empower each other by building strong networks and supporting new mothers, career-oriented women, and women from all walks of life. No matter what field we’re in, whether it’s business, art, fashion, or creativity, it’s essential to help and understand each other, especially women who may have had to pause their careers for other priorities.

Fashion shows and beauty contests are often overlooked and underrated. Many misunderstand them as superficial when, in reality, they’re about showcasing confidence, creativity, and a unique sense of style. It’s not about exposing bodies, but about expressing who we are. This requires a lot of education and awareness, and the change has to start within us. I started with educating my own family, and over time, the next generation will come to admire and respect these fields even more. A thriving creative ecosystem begins with us supporting each other and building that confidence in our communities.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @southcali_queens ,@itsmekeerthii

Image Credits

thanks to mydreamtvusa for giving this opportunity to women via beautypeagents