An India Exclusive - Actor And Activist Jameela Jamil
Harper's Bazaar India|May 2019

Jameela Jamil walks the talk: An unapologetic advocate for body positivity, with a following of nearly two million, she shoots her first ever cover in India—and the images are not filtered or digitally altered. This is as authentic as it gets. Just like Jameela.

Nonita Kalra
An India Exclusive - Actor And Activist Jameela Jamil

On her way to shoot with Bazaar, Jameela Jamil posted a car selfie, showing the dimpled skin on her thighs. “Love every inch,” it said— “Even the bits you were told were ‘wrong’.” In a hot minute, the tone for our meeting was set. And when she walked into the penthouse suite at The Standard, Downtown, we felt a kinship. Solidarity of sisterhood.

The elegantly stark bathroom is the setting for our interview. Makeup is spread out on the side of the bathtub and Jameela is perched on a dining chair. The team working with her today is the same as the one on her hit show, The Good Place, and they know her preference for simplicity. We’re shooting with the new OnePlus 7 Pro (another exclusive for Bazaar) and she is excited about her first Indian cover. She is effortless in front of the camera. The sky is blue. Los Angeles has laid out a perfect Californian summer and the terrace is buzzing with activity.

Brunch is a religion in the USA, but what really stands out is the diversity you can see. Of ethnicity and shape. It is as if the world has been listening to our cover star. When we break for lunch, Jameela insists we continue the conversation—she feels we have more to discuss. So we speak about feminism, the responsibility of having a voice, the representation of women, especially South Asian, in international media. She’s candid about her health—a hearing impairment since childhood; a road accident that damaged her spine at 17; a connective tissue disorder, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome (EDS); anorexia.

Which is why her advocacy for honest, compassionate portrayals of women touches a chord. It comes from a deeply personal, authentic place. And it resonates with her 1.8 million followers on Instagram. With every photo that not only shows but celebrates stretch marks and cellulite, she dismantles the impossible ideal imposed upon women.

Denne historien er fra May 2019-utgaven av Harper's Bazaar India.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra May 2019-utgaven av Harper's Bazaar India.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA HARPER'S BAZAAR INDIASe alt
Unyielding And Unmatched
Harper's Bazaar India

Unyielding And Unmatched

In an industry where every move is scrutinised, Kareena Kapoor Khan lives passionately, loves her job, and understands that there’s more to her than just box-office numbers.

time-read
10+ mins  |
September 2024
SEEN AND HEARD
Harper's Bazaar India

SEEN AND HEARD

Female authors explore how crucial it is that women write about their personal experiences.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
INTO THE WORLD OF JUDY CHICAGO
Harper's Bazaar India

INTO THE WORLD OF JUDY CHICAGO

What makes the feminist trailblazer an icon?

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
'THE LEGACY OF A SINGER WILL ALWAYS STAY INTACT'
Harper's Bazaar India

'THE LEGACY OF A SINGER WILL ALWAYS STAY INTACT'

AR Rahman believes AI can be used without compromising on the artistic essence.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
THROUGH HER EYES
Harper's Bazaar India

THROUGH HER EYES

Indian supermodels remember legendary photographer Prabuddha Dasgupta ahead of his 68th birth anniversary.

time-read
4 mins  |
September 2024
THE SHAPE-SHIFTERS
Harper's Bazaar India

THE SHAPE-SHIFTERS

From adorning your body to your mantle piece, jewellery designers are turning to homeware.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
WEARABLE ART
Harper's Bazaar India

WEARABLE ART

Three limited-edition timepieces, inspired by Gaston-Louis Vuitton's love for artistry, is an ode to the Maison's legacy of craftsmanship.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024
AS LONG AS TIME
Harper's Bazaar India

AS LONG AS TIME

Bazaar India delves into the ethos of watch brands.

time-read
3 mins  |
September 2024
MILANO MAKEOVER
Harper's Bazaar India

MILANO MAKEOVER

Sabato De Sarno's reimagination of this classic Gucci bag is is an ode to his Milanese becoming.

time-read
1 min  |
September 2024
A LOVE LETTER TO JAIPUR
Harper's Bazaar India

A LOVE LETTER TO JAIPUR

Designer Surily Goel reveals the making of her latest collection.

time-read
2 mins  |
September 2024