Break the Barrier
Hailing from traditional South Asian roots, I took on a nontraditional path with my passion project missioned to increase representation in mainstream media. Throughout my modeling journey, I've been blessed to be part of modeling campaigns for brands such as Express Fashion and Maison Margiela to walking the runway for New York Fashion Week and covering it as Press.
As I grew my platform, I realized so many of us are hesitant in taking that leap of faith because we don’t have visibility to the mentors or guides that we can look up to, ask questions to, or be our support system. As a result, many of us default to the traditional careers that our parents consider successful - but we may be left feeling unfulfilled. I want to take this mission to the next level and introduce successful and happy powerhouse voices in our community who are breaking barriers by pursuing full-time careers outside of what’s traditionally considered successful.
For our younger, current, and older generations: it is never too late to start again or dream a new dream. My mission is to show in a fun, lighthearted way that you can absolutely find happiness in a path less taken. This is my baby: Break the Barrier
Break the Barrier
She's Likeable with Aparna Shewakramani: Reality TV Star, Author, and Speaker
What does breaking the barrier mean for Aparna? Redefining success on your own timeline
I’m so excited to be speaking today with Aparna Shewakramani, a South Asian author, speaker, and unapologetic voice for women choosing to live life on her own terms. You may recognize her from Netflix’s Indian Matchmaking, where she quickly became a standout for her honesty, self-assurance, and refusal to settle. Since then, Aparna has sparked global conversations about modern dating, cultural expectations, and redefining what it means to be "too much." As the author of She’s Unlikeable, she dives deeper into her journey—sharing raw, witty, and powerful reflections on love, ambition, and identity. We’re excited to talk about everything from navigating public perception to embracing individuality and power. Let's dive right in. Welcome, Aparna!
In this episode we cover:
- The role of honesty in representation, navigating public perception, and reclaiming your narrative with grace
- The journey of writing a memoir
- Her future endeavors in storytelling
- The impact of social media on perception and leveraging it to amplify your voice
- The importance of rest and incubation
-Navigating fame and its challenges, including dating while in the spotlight
Thank you so much Aparna for coming on the show and breaking the barrier. She can be reached via Instagram @aparnashewakramani for mentorship