Namita Nayyar:
Healthy eating and nutrition go hand in hand with exercise. Enlist your 5 favorite breakfast picks? Foods you prefer to avoid.
Emily Shah:
My favorite breakfast foods are:
- Açaí bowl topped with seeds and fruits
- overnight oats topped with berries and nuts
- avocado toast
- South Indian breakfast – Masala Dosa
- Gujarati Indian breakfast – Khakhra or Thepla with almond milk chai
I am a vegetarian. I avoid eggs, bacon, sausage and try to avoid butter.
Namita Nayyar:
With glowing skin and beautiful hair – Share with us your skincare and hair care tips?
Emily Shah:
I have learned that splurging on your skincare is essential but making sure that the products are as clean and pure as can be, is even more important. I try to research the brand before I indulge. Both my hair and skin rely on my diet so I try to avoid sugar, dairy, greasy and fatty foods and eat a bowl of greens/veggies and fruits, as well as healthy fats such as fish, avocados, and olive oil. I never skip my daily vitamins either. I’m also a big fan of masks. I usually do a face mask every day depending on what my skin needs (varies between brightening, moisturizing, enzyme peel, Korean sheet mask or deep pore cleansing). As for my hair, I will do a moisturizing, protein-filled hair mask or an Indian almond oil scalp treatment once a week.
Namita Nayyar:
As a teenager, you started working in local pageants, commercials, and print work for Indian American brands until winning Miss New Jersey in 2014. How has this journey been? Was it something that you always planned?
Emily Shah:
I’ll always have a connection to my Indian roots; I love working with Indian brands. I began hustling at a young age. I would take the train into the city at the age of 15 by myself and get to all my auditions after school. I learned to be fearless, independent and street smart. I am still the youngest Miss New Jersey USA to ever win, and I was the youngest at Miss USA, I definitely did not anticipate that.
I was competing against 27-year old’s with masters and doctorate degrees who had been in pageants for years. I’d been in Teen pageants but had never competed in a Miss Pageant. In fact, I didn’t even plan to compete in 2014. At the time I was in NYC, updating my acting headshots with Fadil Berisha (official photographer for the Miss Universe Organization). I had just graduated high school and was moving to Los Angeles to pursue acting. It was the week of the pageant and he told me I should compete, which I just laughed off. He ended up submitting my headshot to the directors of the pageant and told me I didn’t have a choice but to compete. I got my evening gown on Tuesday, my swimsuit on Wednesday, my interview dress on Thursday and I competed on Friday. I had zero expectations, but I gave it my best effort and fortunately it paid off!
Namita Nayyar:
With cut-throat competition in the film industry, one has to work really hard to shine in the crowd. What are your 5 best tips for a new upcoming star in this industry?
Emily Shah:
- Surround yourself with positive, inspiring people. They are essential, especially on your darker days.
- Contribute one thing towards your career a day. Whether it’s working out, reading a script, watching a play, or taking a class. That energy you put out will always benefit.
- Watch all films/series/plays. The good and the bad. Learning what you should avoid doing as an artist is as important as knowing what looks good.
- Your mental health is so important and in order to have a successful career that lasts, one must have a healthy mindset. Make sure you are genuinely happy. If you’re struggling with that, do your best to dig deep and find what brings you Peace and Joy.
- Never lower your standards. No job is important enough to forgo your dignity. Don’t let anyone take that from you.
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
