After her recent appearance on the cover of Glow Magazine, Model Bali Kaur Bassi is the first Punjabi-Canadian model to be featured on the cover of a major fashion publication in Canada.
Due to the lack of Indian models in the industry, she felt as if modeling was a career she could only dream of- but after seeing a rise in representation of Indian models she was inspired to reach out to modeling agencies. Although she is just getting started, Bali has already modeled for Joe Fresh, Sears, and now Glow Magazine, and she has big plans for the future.
Canada, being the home of the largest immigrant Sikh population, has seen a recent increase of South Asian representation in the media as well as in Parliament, such as Canadian politician Jagmeet Singh. As a model, Bali Bassi is part of the frontline of most marketing campaigns and is supposed to represent the population. Diverse representation promotes inclusivity and discourages uniformity.
As a Punjabi-Canadian, why do you think diverse representation is so critical in today’s media?
“Representation is so important in today’s media because it promotes inclusivity. When people notice they’re being represented, it gives them a sense that they belong. Growing up I hardly saw anyone in the mainstream media who represented me. I remember whenever my siblings and I did, we would get so excited and all run to the TV to see them. It makes me so proud to see more Punjabis represented in Canada now.”
Bassi is so honored to be a part of the “Beauty’s New Face” issue of Glow Magazine, herself and other models of color featured in the issue reconstruct society’s standard of beauty. In the Indian community, there seems to be a toxic fascination with Eurocentric features.
Why do you think eurocentric beauty standards are so toxic for today’s society?
“Beauty is diverse and all forms of beauty should be celebrated. Eurocentric beauty standards are toxic when they make others feel like their natural self is inadequate. There is hardly anyone in Bollywood that’s of a darker complexion. The shift in Bollywood has recently been from fairer skinned Indian girls to just casting Caucasian girls altogether. To put things in perspective, a population of 1.2 billion is hardly being represented! When young girls grow up watching people that don’t look like them, it sends a message that they have to look a certain way to be beautiful and may resort to unhealthy methods to change their complexion.”
”Growing up I was told to stay out of the sun because I’ll get darker. Lighter skin and smaller features are viewed as the ideal beauty in the Indian community and for a long time I was insecure about my darker skin.”
This exclusive standard of beauty is deeply rooted among communities, internalized and passed down through generations. Diverse representation promotes diversity by inspiring people to embrace their individuality.
What advice can you give to young girls who may be insecure about their appearance?
“I would tell them that they’re beautiful and they should celebrate their individuality. Beauty comes in many different forms than what they may just see in the media. Beauty trends come and go, so there’s no point in getting caught up in them. What’s important is to stay true to yourself and embrace your individuality.”
In addition to modeling, Bali is also a human rights activist. Last year she traveled to a refugee camp in Greece to help provide emergency supplies and support. After hearing their heroic stories of escaping war-torn Syria, Bassi was inspired to continue her activism back home in Canada. Bali is in the process of organizing a fundraiser, with the proceeds going to refugees.
“With the rise of xenophobia, it’s important that we unite and spread messages of peace and tolerance. I hope this isn’t just a trend and that soon it will be normal to see women of color and diversity in the fashion industry.”
In light of millions of young women bleaching their skin in South Asia every year, why is it so important for you to be unapologetically representing “unfair” (and lovely) women?
“It’s so important for me to unapologetically represent my skin color, especially in the fashion industry because it shows that beauty is diverse. In Indian culture, whiter/fairer skin is seen as more beautiful, this internalized racism has originated since colonial times. It ties into classism; with darker skinned people usually having outdoor labor jobs. Bollywood celebrities promoting skin-whitening products have further perpetuated it. Skin whitening has a $432 million market that shows no signs of stopping. The same brands that promote diversity in some parts of the world are promoting skin whitening products in India. There is hardly anyone darker skinned in the mainstream media to represent the majority of Indians. I hope to inspire a whole new generation of girls to feel beautiful in their own skin.”
Do you think more celebrities should be using their platforms to raise awareness/be activists?
“I think everyone should be vocal about issues and be activists. Even if you spread that message across to one person, that’s one person you’re helping and educating. Celebrities have that power on a much greater scale. They have young people that look up to them as role models. That can be a lot of pressure, but they can make more of a conscious effort of what products they promote. Like I mentioned earlier, many Bollywood celebrities promote skin-whitening products and have been featured in their ads. If they did something as simple of refusing these campaigns, they could send out a very powerful message. The perception of dark skin is so deep rooted in India, that people with darker skin have unequal opportunities. If celebrities were more vocal about these issues, we can slowly change society’s perception of darker skin.”
“I hope to inspire a whole new generation of girls to follow their dreams and to feel beautiful in their own skin.”
Follow Bali on Instagram and Twitter.
