A Multilingual Beauty with a Global Heritage
Born to a Punjabi father and a Scottish Christian mother, Lara grew up in a culturally diverse home and is fluent in English, Hindi, Punjabi, and Kannada, with working knowledge of French and Spanish. She also holds a degree in Economics with a minor in Communications.
Miss Universe Record-Holder
At Miss Universe 2000, she scored an unprecedented 9.99/10 in the final interview round—still one of the highest scores in pageant history. Her eloquence and wit were key in securing the crown.
Turned Down a Role in The Matrix
She was reportedly offered a part in The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolutions but declined, citing dissatisfaction with the role. This decision remains one of Bollywood’s most talked-about “what if” moments.
Near-Drowning on Her Debut Film Set
While filming Andaaz (2003), Lara nearly drowned during a scene as she didn’t know how to swim at the time. Co-star Akshay Kumar rescued her, and she later learned swimming for her underwater stunts in Blue (2009).
Youngest UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador
At just 23, she was appointed the UNFPA Goodwill Ambassador, championing women’s health and reproductive rights. She has since launched a prenatal yoga DVD and her own skincare line, ARIAS, reflecting her long-term commitment to wellness.
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