Davuluri explained that growing up she faced similar challenges. In an interview with The Guardian earlier this year, she explained that her aunt was one of the people who encouraged her to bleach her skin to get it to the ideal fair complexion.
But this is contradiction to today’s pop culture. Millions are spent in one side of the world by women hoping to get a tan, that makes them look darker – just as Davuluri – while on the other side of the world, the lightening creams industry is booming as women; especially in India pursue a fairer complexion.
“I believe that beauty cannot be put inside a box and defined. Beauty is diverse and it comes in all shades and packages,” she explains.
Davuluri did however get larger than life opportunities. For instance, she once dined with the US President Barack Obama in White House and to also speak to young people about social entrepreneurship, youth and women empowerment among others.
Davuluri also pushes for education among women.
“I am a University of Michigan graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Brain, Behaviour and Cognitive Science class of 2011.”
Today, she uses her education to speak to University students encouraging them into enrolling in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics courses, which have largely been reserved to men.
She also encourages people who have been bullied online saying that one should not pay attention to what other people say encouraging them to stay focused on their dream.
Upon leaving her crown behind, the slender beauty whose hair seems to go on and on stated that she still works actively to promote beauty in its different kinds through her platform dubbed ‘Celebrating Diversity Through Cultural Competence’.
Davuluri is also taking advantage of her trip in Kenya to make business deals with women in the country, “I have sought out some businesses and I will be collaborating with women and the youth,”
As we conclude our interview, I ask Davuluri, whose Twitter account had photos of her expressing how much she was looking forward to coming to Kenya to attend the summit, explains that she cannot wait to explore ‘Magical Kenya’.
“I hope to go to Maasai Mara before I head back to the US. I have heard so much about the safaris in this country,” she says adding that she heard that there was a vibrant Hindi culture in Nairobi and was hoping to meet them as she had not met them yet.
The future is ahead of her, she tells me enthusiastically after all, she has the backing and support of people she loves such as her sister Meena.
