Identity Podcast : Vanizha Vasanthanathan/Modelling, Representation and Colourism

We chat with Vanizha Vasanthanathan, an international model, Odissi dancer and advocate for representation. Vanizha is the first Malaysian Indian who has been featured on the cover of Vogue magazine and the first Malaysian Tamil to feature in the Milan Fashion Week runway. In this candid conversation, Vanizha opens up about her journey navigating the challenges of the modeling industry, from battling the obsession with fair skin to overcoming the lack of representation for dark-skinned women. She shares her personal story of building confidence, the importance of seeing diversity in mainstream media, and why it’s crucial to create inclusive spaces for all. Vanizha also offers heartfelt advice to young dark-skinned Tamil girls, encouraging them to embrace their beauty and power in a world that’s finally starting to listen.