Two decades in the fashion and film industry, and Shaaron Fernandez continues to break stereotypes — first as a model, then as a Telugu cinema actor, and now as a mentor shaping the next generation of confident, self-aware women.
From being crowned Miss Mumbai and Ms. Intercontinental India to founding Sovereign Academy, her journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless authenticity. In this exclusive conversation with HerInfluence, Shaaron opens up about her early dreams, the lessons learned on and off the runway, and how she’s helping young women walk with confidence — both on stage and in life.
Q: What inspired you to start your journey in modelling nearly two decades ago?
Shaaron: There’s always that one person in the family who marches to the beat of their own drum — that was me! I think I mentally started preparing to be a model as a child. I’d wear my mother’s clothes and shoes when no one was home, watch FTV, and imagine walking the runway. I must have been seven or eight years old.
But what really got me started was my girl gang in college. They saw something in me that I didn’t back then. They gave me that final push — the credit truly goes to them.
Q: How did your experience in pageants like Miss Mumbai and Ms. Intercontinental India shape your career?
Shaaron: Pageantry taught me discipline — to show up no matter what. Rain or shine, you can’t make excuses. It also taught me grace under pressure: to smile through it all, to stand tall even when you’re unsure. Confidence isn’t loud; it radiates from within. That’s something I carry with me to this day.
Q: What was it like transitioning from modelling to acting in Telugu cinema?
Shaaron: It felt natural, actually. I’ve always felt like I was in a movie — my own life has had all the drama, emotion, and transformation possible! So when I stepped in front of the camera, it was almost like embodying a version of myself. Acting, for me, is a balance between truth and technique. When you stop faking it and start feeling it, that’s when you’re gold.
Q: What motivated you to start training young women in runway and pageantry?
Shaaron: The motivation came from pain — from the abuse, body shaming, and toxicity I went through in my own journey. I realized no young girl deserves that. I wanted to be the mentor I wish I had — honest, protective, and real about what this industry is truly like.
My goal is to equip them with all the tools I didn’t have — to help them defend themselves, ask tough questions, and find clarity about what they really want.
Q: How is Sovereign Academy different from traditional modelling institutes?
Shaaron: What modelling academy teaches you how to handle rejection, anxiety, or depression? I do.
Who talks about how your body changes with age, or how stress impacts you? I do.
Who teaches self-defense? I do.
At Sovereign Academy, we go beyond the ramp. I mentor women on every level — physical, emotional, and mental. It’s not just about poses and posture; it’s about power and perspective.
Q: Why is building confidence such a core part of your training philosophy?
Shaaron: Because this industry can make you lose yourself. You meet countless people, face constant judgment, and it’s easy to forget who you are. Confidence training helps you rediscover that core.
By the end of our course, my students can walk into any room, speak with conviction, and leave a lasting impression. I don’t just want to create beautiful women — I want to create powerful ones, inside and out.
Q: What challenges do you think young girls face today when entering the fashion and pageant industry?
Shaaron: The worst part is having to depend on people early on — feeling pressured to please or tolerate inappropriate behavior. Comments like “Let’s grab coffee” or “Do you party?” — I wish I could end all that nonsense.
Since I can’t, I teach my girls to be professional, assertive, and drama-free. Pageantry, especially today, is a different game — you need a one-track mind and unshakable focus. At Sovereign Academy, we train for that kind of physical and mental strength.
Q: How do you help your students overcome fear of judgment or self-doubt?
Shaaron: (laughs) I can’t reveal all my syllabus secrets! But honestly, I lead by example. I share my own struggles and lessons openly. When my students see a woman living her best life — confident, content, and unapologetic — that energy transfers.
Words can only do so much; your presence, your aura, your authenticity — that’s what truly teaches them.
Q: What does empowerment mean to you in the context of the women you mentor?
Shaaron: Empowerment is transformation. Some of my students come in wanting to be models or actors, but over time they discover something deeper — clarity.
Today, some of them are working with airlines, some in hospitality — all thriving, all strong. Watching them evolve from shy girls to confident women who can handle any situation — that’s what empowerment means to me. It’s about showing them they can be anything they want, as long as they believe in themselves.
Q: What’s your vision for the community of strong, powerful women you’re building?
Shaaron: Clarity.
Clarity of mind, body, and soul — all three working in unison.
A woman with clarity can lead, nurture, and provide — financially, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. That’s my vision for the women of today and tomorrow: to be whole, self-assured, and unstoppable.
✨ HerInfluence Note:
From walking global runways to mentoring women in self-worth and strength, Shaaron Fernandez is proof that true beauty comes from authenticity. Her journey reminds us that confidence isn’t about perfection — it’s about clarity, courage, and the confidence to take up space.
