The T+L Champion of Body Positivity Kusha Kapila talks to Travel+Leisure India & South Asia about body positivity, beauty standards among women, and more.
Excerpts from the interview with Kusha Kapila:
T+L India: You’ve been vocal about dealing with PCOS and body issues; and have normalised terms such as ‘hourglass pear’ and ‘FUPA’. What do you do in moments of low self-esteem?
Kusha Kapila: The only reason I am vocal about PCOS is because I want to normalise it for myself. Many women are affected by PCOS. I face acne issues often and, being in the visual medium, it’s the first thing people notice about you. While I don’t wish to be glorified or celebrated for it, it’s okay to talk about it. If I talk about it, then people will not ask the questions. As for being pear-shaped or even talking about it, I think even before you say these terms, people remind you how you look. I like to claim it before they say anything.
T+L India: A lot of people use the term ‘body positivity’ casually. What does it entail?
Kusha Kapila: It just means all bodies are valid and to not minimise someone for their body. I think it is to also subvert what you normally believe as the standard or the conventional body type. As a person who wants to be known more about her talent versus her body, I’m more body neutral. And honestly, I don’t remind myself of my body every single time; people I work with remind me. I would like a world where people would not talk about bodies; I think that would be great!
T+L India: How does travel help you as a content creator?
Kusha Kapila: Travel is a break from monotony. I think every single time I’ve travelled, I have also connected with myself. One of the biggest things I like about travelling is meeting people because a lot of times, I meet people who inspire my characters. Travel for me is just opening up fully—spiritually, physically, and emotionally.
T+L India: Any message for women who struggle to break out of certain beauty standards?
Kusha Kapila: In my quest to not conform to beauty standards, I have criticised people who conform to beauty standards, which I think is counterproductive. Now, I’ve broken away from that. Learning doesn’t happen by going into extremes. It happens when you understand the context, nuances, and live experiences.
Champion’s Choice
Favourite Travel Destination in India: Shillong
Favourite Travel Companion : Zorawar [Singh Ahluwalia, my husband], of course!
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