Born Karenjit Kaur Vohra, we know this model and actor by her professional name Sunny Leone. Even though Sunny has been able to stand out from the crowd and make a place for herself in the Indian film industry, her childhood wasn’t hunky-dory.
While speaking to the Times Of India about her personal and professional life, the ‘Ragini MMS 2’ actor revealed that she was bullied as a child for how she looked.
“I was a light-skinned Indian girl with black, dark hair on her arms and legs and very awkward looking, not very dressed well. So yeah, there was some bullying, it’s not fun.”
Further in the interview, she divulged, “Some of that bullying has carried through my entire life which is not a great feeling. But I think, for those people out there, bullying is like a circle, it goes around. So, usually, when we see people who are bullied, we end up usually bullying somebody else.”
“So, if you are being bullied maybe we can make a conscious effort to not bully and treat others how we are being treated. Also, taking a stand for yourself usually works, bullies are cowards.”
“And the second that you take a stand, make your statement, or tell someone to stop, it might work. I wouldn’t say that it would always work, because I don’t want to build false hope. But I think if you’re consistent, and you ask for help from people around you, then that cycle of abuse will stop,” she added.
Born and brought up in Canada by her Sikh parents, Sunny also lived in the United States during her teenage years. Sharing how he had to attend a Catholic school and not public school fearing bullying, the ‘Jism 2’ actor said, “I went to Catholic school because the town I grew up in was really small and predominantly white. It was unsafe for little brown kids, or any ethnicity that wasn’t white, to go to public school. That’s just the way it was. My parents lied for our safety,” Hindustan Times quoted her saying.
Sunny and her husband Daniel Weber are now parents to three kids, daughter Nisha and sons Noah and Asher. Sharing how she balances personal and professional life, the actor and social activist said, “The work schedules are not easy at all, as the kids are getting older, it becomes even more difficult to leave because I think they’re fine, but I think I have more separation anxiety and I miss them more. They miss me less maybe because they’re so busy playing and having fun and usually if I am not home then Daniel makes a point to try and be as home as much as possible. Luckily for us, our offices across the street so he’s able to come back and forth, and letting go is very very difficult.”
“Because of the pandemic, we have become so attached to our children and our children have become so attached to us. So, it’s been difficult but we kind of have the schedule, pretty good right now where I either spend time with them in the mornings or in the evenings, but they definitely get their mommy time and I get my children time.”
Tackling such abuse at a young age would have been tough. We’re glad you made it through all the obstacles and became an inspiration for many across the world. More power to you.