Rajee Aerie was born in India and contracted polio at a young age. Fortunately, she was adopted by a loving American family. 
Growing up she never let anything get in her way and this can do attitude has stuck with her. As a teen she started to notice that there was no one that looked like her in TV shows, movies or when she was flipping through magazines. The lack of South Asians and disability representation in media is an issue that is very important for Rajee and something she’s been working hard to change. Rajee went to college and got her degree in broadcast journalism in hopes of being part of the change to include South Asians and people with disabilities. After she graduated from college, Rajee signed with a talent agency and landed a nationwide commercial a couple weeks later. The response was overwhelming because people across the country could finally relate to somebody that they saw on TV. Rajee has continued to appear in print and television commercials as well as represent various companies at trade shows and events. Her biggest accomplishments thus far has been to appear in a national campaign for Aerie in which she was featured on a billboard in Times Square and her op-ed in Teen Vogue, as well as USA Today and she did an interview for CBS national news.
Rajee shares how writing an article on self esteem helped her realize and recognize that she has to look inward to find what the qualities and features that she loves and appreciates about herself.
Bio
Rajee Aerie is a model, public speaker and advocate.
Cultural Background
Rajee is of Indian descent.
Favorite Self Confidence Quote
A smile is the most beautiful thing you can wear.
Definition of Self Confidence
Self confidence is being happy and accepting yourself exactly the way you are is incredibly beautiful!
Her Life Before the Discovery of Self Confidence
Rajee was definitely insecure and self conscious due to her disability starting around her teenage years when
things start shifting and changing because she are no longer just a carefree kid who just wants to play with her friends. All the sudden your body starts to go through this transition and you are so much more aware of your looks and physical being.
The “AHA” Moment
Rajee’s AHA moment was probably later on in high school when she wrote a paper on self-esteem. She realized and recognized that she has to look inward to find what the qualities and features that she loves and appreciates about herself.
Her Life After the Discovery of Self Confidence
Rajee thinks once she was able to appreciate and recognize the things that she loved about herself and made her who she was, she was able to really gain confidence and realize she could love herself exactly as she is and no one can take away her confidence.
She was able to model for Aerie celebrating individuality, authenticity and beauty with women.
The One Self Confidence Tip For the Listener
Confidence can take time to build but the sooner you start looking at yourself in a positive light and recognize the beautiful things you do love about yourself the faster you can enjoy this amazing life we have and stop sweating the small stuff. know confidence isn’t just about your looks it’s about what gifts and talents do you bring to this world and to others. We have to stop being so critical about ourselves and own the unique individuals we all are because each of us has a place here and we all lend our talents and gifts however big or small to this world and have the ability to make a positive impact.
