Awhatukee resident and international model , Kanksha Mehta , shares her passions and inspirational story of survival .
/ 202 cover story / sideline kanksha here mehta
By Marlene Montanez
Let Freedom Ring
Awhatukee resident and international model , Kanksha Mehta , shares her passions and inspirational story of survival .
Freedom .
It ’ s something that as Americans , we ’ re all celebrating this month as the Fourth of July nears . But for Kanksha Mehta , it ’ s a concept she ’ s just now getting reacquainted with .
It ’ s a hot summer morning when I meet with Kanksha Mehta at Chandler Fashion Center . She ’ s bright , beautiful , polished and professional . Exactly what you ’ d expect when meeting an international model and actress . No one would guess that someone so young , so accomplished and so vibrant is just getting out of a serious relationship that nearly ended her life .
As we grab our coffees , she tells me about the editorial piece her and her close photographer friend , Jennifer Alyse Rogers , recently wrapped up . “ It ’ s inspired by my experience , coming out of it and being almost reborn , and the power we have inside us as women . It ’ s about how we can use that to renew ourselves , even after traumatic experiences .”
What she is referring to is surviving an abusive relationship with her now exfiancé . “ I had a near death experience ” she says . “ A lot of my power was taken away from me and I was just barely surviving , I ’ m still in survival mode .”
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202 MAGAZINE \ JULY 2013 \ 202magazine . com
Photos by Jennifer Alyse Rogers