In the heart of Mumbai, India’s bustling tech and finance hub, a 17-year-old girl is rewriting the rules of the fashion industry. Maleesha Kharwa, known to her millions of followers as the Slum Princess, has captured global attention by landing covers for Cosmopolitan and Vogue while still living in a makeshift home that has been bulldozed by the government more than 12 times.
The contrast between her high fashion shoots and her daily reality has left social media in shock, sparking a massive debate about the nature of fame and the resilience of the human spirit.
Maleesha recently took to the streets of her neighborhood with travel creator Drew Binsky to share the gritty details of her life behind the photo shoots.
She revealed that her journey started when she was just five years old, selling tissues to cafe customers to help support her family.
Her life took a cinematic turn when she was discovered by a foreigner while playing near the rocks of her coastal home, leading to a meeting with her current manager, who saw her star potential.
The conditions she describes are nothing short of harrowing. Without running water or electricity, Maleesha’s family must sneak out late at night to fill water bottles from a hidden tap, hoping to avoid government officials who might retaliate.
Sometimes the government comes and they break our house, she explained, describing how bulldozers arrive unannounced to level their community.
Despite these obstacles, Maleesha has maintained a rigorous schedule, balancing her rising fame with college classes and dance rehearsals, proving that her ambition knows no bounds.
Authenticity is the cornerstone of her brand, and her friends back home often tease her about her new status. “My friends call me blue tick because I got verified on Instagram,” she laughed, admitting she didn’t even know what the verification badge meant at first.
While her career has allowed her to move into a modest apartment, she remains deeply connected to her roots, often returning to the slums to share meals with her father and brother. Insiders in the fashion world say her motivation and passion are what truly set her apart from typical influencers.
Maleesha’s story has gone viral not just for the drama of her upbringing, but for her unwavering positivity. Even when men stare at her during shows or in public, she remains grounded.
“I don’t think so I’m pretty, but I thank God for everything,” she said, expressing gratitude for her health and her ability to speak English, a skill she credits to her dedication to schooling.
As she prepares to launch her own jewellery business featuring an infinity heart design, it is clear that this young CEO is just getting started.
