sideline here / 202 cover story /
But for Mehta , life wasn ’ t always like this .
The Awhatukee resident and ASU grad knew she wanted to be a model when she was just a little girl . So at the fresh age of 19 , she flew off to Mumbai and had her first portfolio shot by Bollywood ’ s most sought after film photographer , Dabboo Ratnani . He took a liking to her and gave her a list of agencies to submit her pictures to .
Mehta became a well-established model in the Asia-Pacific region by 2003 and soon , Bollywood approached . “ I never wanted to do films , but I was offered international roles with two of the biggest banner production houses in India , so I accepted ,” she says .
Since then , she ’ s traveled to more than 35 countries , written for publications like Travel & Leisure and now , continues to do modeling , commercial and on-air hosting work among other pursuits . With so many endeavors , it ’ s hard to envision this is the same woman who for two years , was trapped in an abusive relationship .
As she recounts her story in graphic detail , her entire demeanor shifts . Gone is the natural glow she normally exudes ; her words , now carefully chosen .
“ In the beginning , of course he was the sweetest guy , the nicest guy I met in my whole life !” It was almost a year into their relationship before he became physically violent for the first time . “ What I didn ’ t see then and what I see now is the emotional and psychological abuse was constant from the beginning .”
Like any abusive relationship , eventually things escalated . One day , it was a rough wrist grab and the next , a slap . The once-amonth incidents turned to weekly and then eventually , every day . She recalls at least 40 assaults , one of which happened in public at the mall food court . Luckily , there was a Sheriff nearby , which led to his first arrest .
A week after getting engaged , Mehta found out he had been cheating on her with many women throughout their entire relationship ; she reached her breaking point .
202magazine . com / JULY 2013 / 202 MAGAZINE
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