A Beauty Queen + an Artist + Modern day Philosopher + -Global Citizen + Love on legs
Interview by Man Ray
M: You have versatile talent and multi-cultural exposure. Would you mind to share your childhood days, schooling and your happy moments with your family?
PU: Hi there, my name is Preity Üupala and I am an Entrepreneur, Philanthropist and Actor based in Los Angeles, California. In a nut shell- I am an Investment banker turned beauty queen turned Hollywood actor.
Well, I have had quite a fascinating upbringing. I feel very blessed to have the most amazing parents who provided me with a loving, supportive Childhood. I blame them for my hopelessly positive attitude in life and the ability to imagine any possible dream.
I have had the extreme good fortune of growing up in 5 different cities. I was born in Dubai, the Middle East, and also lived in Paris, in India and then later on Sydney, Australia. I feel like a true “global citizen” and bring that element into my whole approach to life. I have been to 35 countries so far and still counting!
I have two degrees, Bachelor of Technology and Bachelor of Marketing (honors). I was a gold medalist and was offered a scholarship to study for a PHD, which I turned down to focus on my corporate career. I feel my family values, and cultural upbringing has had a huge part shaping the being that I have become today.
M: Where do you have spent most of your childhood?
PU: I was born in Dubai, the Middle East, and also lived in Paris, and then later on Sydney Australia.
M: You participate in many Philanthropic activities and have your own Foundation, What motivated you in this direction ?
PU: Having had a blessed childhood and parents, I often give back to those less fortunate than me. I have always supported many charities in my life. I was honored to be the face of BEYOND WATER, based in South Africa and my last trip to Thailand and Cambodia, I was really moved by the beautiful children and their helpless state. I thought if I could ever change someone’s life, it would be these gorgeous kids, who cannot help themselves. I was inspired to start my own foundation. I choose to make a difference because I can.
M. You are multi-talented and have different ventures and projects. At what age, you have determined your career into this stratagem?
PU: My Journey has truly been a fascinating one. A couple of years ago, I was a different Preity Uupala. I was working as an Investment banker in Sydney, having some big ambitions to study for an MBA or PHD and perhaps have my own consulting firm one-day. As a child, I had different aspirations, but I guess the universe had a different plan for me. The entertainment path really fell into my lap. I would say, 2 years ago, I started this path.
M: What was the motivation & inspirations behind your successful career and life?
PU: Something was missing from my life. I was earning 6 figures and traveling around the world and had a very prestigious title- even at age 21. Can you believe it, this was my first job out of university!
But my job did not give me joy or purpose. Luckily I had a divine intervention and the universe got me out of where I was and onto my path. Scary as it was, there was an immense feeling of excitement and adventure and an inner knowing that I was on the right path toward my destiny.
I have made several very tough decisions in my life, which altered the course of my destiny. I feel lucky to have made bold choices when I was younger. Today, my choices are made through my intuition and from a place of love and strength.
M. Have you ever gone through any desperate situations or difficulties on your way to success, if so, how did you overcame them?
PU: Absolutely, I would be lying to myself if I claimed to not have any obstacles on my path to fulfilling my destiny. Because I hope for the best, I would like to think that it has been a rosy path, but life is not always “Preity”. I meet many people who have little or no faith in their own greatness and hence do not see it in others. Because of my own spiritual radiance and Optimism, I’m often attracting negative, toxic people who want a taste of my light and it’s a constant job for me to keep myself clear and with the right mind set.
I overcame my difficulties through faith and trust in the universe and the divine plan. Magic happens whenever I choose to do that.
I have had miracles happened just because I had faith in the impossible and the certainty that I would come out triumphant in the end. I’m enjoying the journey more now.
M. What is the most joyful and remarkable moment in your life and what is your idea for success?
PU: I had the great honor to be invited to the Asia pacific film festival in china last year. By the grace of the universe I was awarded 3 prestigious film awards on the night.
I have walked many a red carpet here in Hollywood, but the largest one yet is still the awards ceremony of the Asia Pacific Film Festival in China last year. China is a booming nation and any event they put on there is always of gigantic proportions.”
“I became an overnight star in China last year. I experienced 10,000 people screaming before going into the shrine where they had the film festival.”
“Then I found myself on the front page on the newspaper the next morning when immigration recognized me at the airport as I flew out of china. They mentioned that it was ‘an honor’ to meet me.” It was the most exhilarating, yet humbling experience of my life.
M. Women is always a metaphor of Earth and beauty, how would you justify the concept of woman as beauty and woman as an earth?
PU: Mother Nature and the divine feminine have always been more or less similar in my eyes. Real beauty comes from the heart and soul of the woman, not from what one wears, or looks like. Real beauty is much like nature: raw, natural and nourishing.
M. You are the titleholder of "Miss Photogenic International" 2010. Would you please share your joy and experience about this success?
PU: Miss photogenic happened early in my career; it was based solely on photographs and was very affirming to me the titleholder.
M: You have achieved many Beauty Pageant titles, what was the first one? And would you please share your experience about that achievement?
PU: I have had the great privilege of competing in and winning different National and International pageants. I really feel like I have managed to Embodied Class, elegance and grace as I won the Coveted Miss India International titles and others. My first pageant was the Miss earth Australia.
I made history of being the first candidate of Indian or Portuguese origin to ever be a finalist in the Miss Earth Australia competition since it started.
Like many other events in my life, this opportunity as well found me. The founder of the pageant had come across my portfolio on some entertainment site and contacted me expressing her interest in having me compete. And so I was compelled to. Little did I know that the small decision I made turned out to be such a huge milestone in my life, opening many doors later on.
M: Among the many Beauty Pageants you have participated in , what was the most inspiring & memorable one?
PU: Out of all the ones that I have won or competed in, I would say my latest title, The Miss Earth Australia was most memorable one, as I had the opportunity to do my sexy salsa routine in front of thousands of people. I even won the talent section. I made the decision to become the face of a charity based in South Africa, Beyond Water, which was most inspiring even for me, to see what difference I could make. This sparked a lot of future philanthropic activities.
M: You have won National Finalist in Miss Earth Australia 2009 beauty pageant. What are your inspirations about Earth? How do you distinguish this Pageant from others?
PU: Miss Earth pageant is a beauty competition with a twist, they focus on environmental activities. We had to do several activities on behalf of the planet and were encouraged to team up with a local charity. While competing in Miss Earth, I realized what we, as mankind were doing to the planet, and quickly coming to the conclusion that time was really running out. At the same time I could see the power that even one person has within himself or herself to make a huge difference on the planet and change lives. That was inspiring in it.
M: Would you like to do any more projects that support Green Earth?
UP: I am very actively involved in several philanthropic organizations here in the US and abroad.
M: You have won many Modeling achievements. How did modeling career start off for you? What do you consider most about it and what you don’t?
UP: I have a funny story to share about modeling; I was never interested in it. I won a lucky dip prize when I was 15 and got a free photo shoot with a top studio in Sydney. I did the shoot and the photographer was blown away and encouraged me to take it up as a career. So I modeled professionally for 2 years in Sydney before moving to LA. What you like and dislike about the modeling is that the camera never lies. If you don’t feel it, the lens does not capture it. I was always very comfortable in my own skin and camera never lies, so I have always immensely enjoyed my shoots.
M. What is your most marked modeling project till today?
PU: I have had the great privilege by being painted by a famous artist in Bali- Roland duluc. He is a famous Dutch artist who resides in Ubud, Bali and when I visited his studio he had offered to paint me.
M. You have great passion for films and done many film courses from remarkable institutes. Would you please share about this?
PU: I have had the great pleasure of training with the very best. Once I left my corporate career, I auditioned and enrolled at the famed NIDA- National institute of dramatic arts in Sydney, Australia. With the past students such as Mel Gibson and cate Blanchet, it was a great training. I also trained with a Russian acting coach specializing in Stanislavsky and Chekov technique.
I then won a scholarship to study at a top acting school here in LA. This is what brought me here to the states in the first place. It has been amazing to learn from great teacher and study amongst very talented, gifted, artistic students who are in it, like me, for the art of it.
M. You have made a Hollywood debut. How would you share your happiness and what are your most favorite films?
PU: Since moving here to Hollywood, I have appeared in a number of feature and short films, commercials and Music Videos. My favorite films are the Italian mafia genre- The godfather, 1 2 and 3.
M: If you are offered to act in Short films, how do you respond? If yes, whether it would be Independent or experimental films?
PU: Absolutely, I’m open to any film project, with a great script and good message to convey.
M: You have received three awards on behalf of the Indian delegation. How was the experience and Do you have any plans for Indian films?
PU : Last year, I had the honor of being on the jury of the Asia pacific film festival in china.
“Cinema is Cinema, no matter where in the globe. Having said that, the world is truly becoming a smaller place, as we all are so interconnected these days.
“The entertainment industry, I believe is now more global than ever. Look at the world today. I can be an Australian actor of Indian/ Portuguese origin in Hollywood on the jury of a film festival in China. I think it’s fascinating.
I’m always open to amazing projects. As I am truly a “global” artist, I look forward to working anywhere in the world, where they work call on me.
M: What are your current projects?
PU: I just finished shooting for a show in the Netherlands. And prior to that I shot for a TV show in Paris, a project that came from my presence at the Cannes film festival 2011. I’m continuing to manifest amazing projects globally.
M. You have achieved your Ph.D. What projects motivated you for this Ph.D research?
PU: I graduated first class honors from my degree and was offered a scholarship to study a PHD research project in E-marketing in tourism industry and studying consumer behavior. I decided to defer it in order to start my corporate career. It was a tough decision I had to make, but I know it was the right one, as it put me closer to my higher destiny.
M. You are in position for Investment banks and International consulting Firms in Sydney, New Zealand and the UK Entrepreneur, How were these corporate experiences and are you still continuing as Entrepreneur?
PU: I never regret any of my experiences and feel privileged to have lady corporate stint. It gave me a degree of security and stability emotionally and financially that most aspiring artists do not posses.
I feel like a grounded and full human being.
M: We would pleased to know about your Üupala Foundation and your future plans for this foundation.
PU: In Late 2011, I was inspired to start my own foundation. I had been involved in several charities around the world and on the board of one in LA, and the face of another in South Africa. But I thought I should consolidate my energy and have one in my own name.
I aim to do some heavy-duty fundraising to benefit the children of the foundation.
M. Would you like to collaborate with any other foundations or projects that are of similar interest?
PU : Absolutely, I often attend several fundraising event here in Los Angeles. And look to combining with another possibly more established organization to raise money for the benefit of the foundation.
M. Finally, with so much of work and versatility how do you manage your time? Finally, with busy work schedule, how do you manage your time?
PU: LOL- I have a knack of multitasking and have the capacity to do much and do hence, manage to accomplish a lot. I practice yoga and meditation to keep myself at peace. So I don’t burn myself out. I also often take mini- holidays and travel a lot to recharge myself.
M. What would be your message for aspiring & creative people?
PU: I would say BE YOURSELF- you shine every time you are. Remember there is only ONE YOU- I swear by this philosophy.
M. A few words from you in regard to Earth, Peace and harmony.
PU: We the people do have the power to come together and do the right h=thing, by the planet and also for each other. We must find the peace in our heart and radiate that forward. Then only, we will be living in harmony.
Thank you for your time for this interview and we wish you good luck and big success for your artistic journey
Thank you!
The pleasure is mine. Please look at the website to keep updated of all my activities:
www.preityuupala.com
