Bollywood superstar Katrina Kaif has long been admired for her beauty and grace, but like anyone else, she experiences moments of insecurity. Recently, the actress opened up about how her husband, actor Vicky Kaushal, helps calm her down when she struggles with feelings of inadequacy related to her appearance. In a conversation with beauty mogul Huda Kattan, Katrina revealed that she occasionally feels the pressure of meeting certain beauty standards, which can take a toll on her emotionally. During such vulnerable moments, she admits to sometimes being critical of her own looks, particularly her weight. However, Vicky Kaushal, known for his calm demeanor, helps her navigate through these feelings by reminding her of her own empowering messages.
Katrina shared that there are days when she isn’t feeling her best physically. She might complain about her physical appearance or express dissatisfaction with how she looks, especially when she feels she has gained weight. "I’ll be sitting and talking with my husband or getting ready for an event and I will be complaining about something about my physical appearance or saying I am not happy with the way I am looking and I have gained weight. I am not comfortable," Katrina admitted.
However, Vicky, always one to provide a calming presence, responds in a way that helps Katrina regain her confidence. She shared that he often says, "Aren’t you the one who keeps telling everyone it’s okay to be you and it’s okay to be however you are and just how you are?" This gentle reminder from Vicky helps Katrina reflect on her own message of self-love and acceptance, which she promotes through her beauty brand, Kay Beauty.
"It’s like that gentle reminder that, hey, one second, this is what it’s about and this is why I started this, and I have to apply that same kindness to myself," Katrina explained, referring to how Vicky’s words bring her back to her core belief in embracing one’s natural beauty.
Pressure of Beauty Standards
Despite being considered one of Bollywood’s most attractive actresses, Katrina candidly admitted that she isn’t immune to the pressures of looking perfect. "There have been moments where I kind of felt this obligation to match up to the certain standard or stereotype of beauty. In some days, months or moments, where I didn’t quite match up, I felt a certain sense of judgement like I didn’t deserve to be there if I wasn’t looking perfect or looking my best," she shared.
The emotional weight of these expectations has affected her self-esteem at times, making her question her place in the industry. Katrina noted, "I think that sense of judgement kind of struck a chord with me."
Katrina explained that the beauty industry often creates a sense of obligation for individuals to meet a certain standard. As an actress constantly in the public eye, she sometimes internalized these pressures, which made her feel inadequate on certain days. "Emotionally, that kind of hurt because you don’t look your best every month. Sometimes you don’t look your best some year also. You are like, ‘does that mean I don’t deserve to be here? Is it just about physicality?’"
The Birth of Kay Beauty
It was these struggles with self-image that inspired Katrina to launch her own beauty brand, Kay Beauty, in 2019. The brand was born out of a desire to challenge the rigid beauty norms that dominate the industry. "I really wanted to create a community where there really is no standard or stereotype of beauty and everyone’s accepted," she said.
Through Kay Beauty, Katrina hopes to promote self-acceptance and inclusivity, encouraging individuals to embrace their unique beauty without feeling the need to conform to traditional ideals. For her, beauty is not just about appearance; it’s about feeling confident in one’s own skin.
"The whole emotion behind the Kay community is that beauty is not just about physicality, and it’s important to remind ourselves of that every day," she stated. Katrina's journey with Kay Beauty reflects her own personal growth and her commitment to helping others feel good about themselves, regardless of societal expectations.
Vicky Kaushal: A Pillar of Support
While Katrina has made significant efforts to promote self-love and acceptance through her work, she acknowledges that Vicky Kaushal has been a source of immense support in her personal life. His calm and reassuring nature helps her stay grounded, particularly during moments when she feels overwhelmed by the pressure to look a certain way.
Katrina’s revelations about Vicky’s supportive nature provide insight into the strong bond the couple shares. Vicky, who married Katrina in 2021, often reminds her to practice the same self-love that she advocates for others. "My husband will sit there and go, ‘Aren’t you the one who keeps telling everyone it’s Kay to be you and it’s Kay to be however you are and just how you are?’ And then I kind of look at him and be like, ‘Do you mind?’" she joked, acknowledging how his words serve as a gentle but necessary reminder for her to be kind to herself.
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