BY ISHITA ROY
Born on 2 July 1999, a cancerian indeed, Shivangi Negi (@shivanginegi1), is passionate, caring, and will blow you away with her moves! You can call her a dancer, an actor, a model. And she will make sure to slay it all!
An artist, based in Delhi, Shivangi has done her schooling at St. Thomas’ School. As a student, she has always been the star of all school events. Brought pride to her name. Her family. And her school. This is how her career as a performative artist began.
As a budding artist, she is still on her way to success. Small steps every day. A little bit closer to her goal. And this perseverance is what speaks for her.
Shivangi’s Quest for Connection
Brown Girl Gossip was able to reach out to Shivangi to know more about her journey. We hope this exclusive interview inspires more people to pursue their dreams! And to fight until they make it!
What does Dance mean to you? How would you describe your relationship with dance?
Dance is a movement and that movement is my life. My relationship with dance has been really intriguing because I was never a dancer. My cousin used to force me to dance and eventually she taught me “how to move”. I would never call Dance my escape. It actually helps me look at my chaos from a different perspective. A perspective from where I do not see them as chaos but a movement. Someday or other it will pass away; nothing can stay the same
Name that one moment you realized performative art as a career ?
I started acting, modeling, and dancing when I was in 10th grade. I had joined the National School of Drama for acting and participated in beauty pageants, joined various dance classes to pursue it professionally.
People like it when they get praise and they take it seriously. So, did I.
I was better than others in everything when I was in school. And that was the myth that I had created in my head because people told me so. But this helped me push myself. Everyone is a hero in their comfort zone but the career I took can never make me feel comfortable because I meet new people, become a new character every day. I am an artist who loves to explore. You can call me a dancer, a model, an actor, a traveler or anything that you like because I will become that one day!
Did you ever feel you were unheard of or unseen because you are a woman?
If I say I never faced any such things, I would be lying.
I felt unheard but there were times when I was patronized because I am a woman. In beauty pageants, we had to sit, talk, walk in a certain way. Had to put on makeup even if we were going to the gym.
A girl can play games, why not? But she should have piercings, tattoos, colored hair, and be loud. These are the traits they look for while casting a gamer girl. A girl next door, pretty face, healthy body, or wearing Indian clothes cannot qualify for the cast of a girl from high-class society. They need a fair, slim, someone with healthy skin and not too loud. And the opposite is visible too.
The image that has been created by society for women is not easy to break or even mold. People are scared to lose their jobs no matter their gender.
Have you faced discrimination because of nepotism in the industry?
Nepotism? Discrimination? Inequality? It is everywhere, isn’t it?
If I play a character with a known celebrity, she/he would get the AC before I could get one. I have faced such things but it does not matter who your parent or family is. Your behavior and the way you treat every artist is what makes the difference!
There is enough space for everyone to be in this industry but people tend to forget their space or individuality and they try to be someone else.
So, if you know who you are Then you would never have to create a space for yourself.
If you could change one thing about this industry, what would it be?
I believe if you have a healthy lifestyle or proper sleeping schedule then most of your problems go away.
In this industry, we have shifts for 12 hours, and then it can get extended till whenever they want, of course, you will be overpaid for that. In this industry, it is easy to disconnect with yourself and connect with others. If we implement this change, we could save souls and not just lives.
It is very easy for people to sexualize a woman reduce one’s identity to a sexual object. Do you recall any similar incidents?
Models in the music videos are fitted in such a composition where you could see her being sexualized. Reel covers are selected where a woman is sexualized. I was also once cast as a married woman. I have small breasts. I was told to add more pads to my bra. That is what the client wanted. Even after refusing it, I could not convince them. But many women are okay with it. I support their decision. If you have the consent then you can go ahead with it. But if you do not, then you should stop.
Everyone should have the right to say no.
Even if it is being demanded or what gets them the TRP.
Clients should understand and be open to changes by artists’ comfort level.
Photo Credits: HARISH (@man_of_iron), HARSH KHANDELWAL (@shutter_reality), GAURAV BAMBRAL (@gauravbambralphotography)
Model: Shivangi Negi (@shivanginegi1)
Interviewed and Transcribed by Ishita Roy