1. You’ve spent years sharing your journey online. Why did you feel this was the right time to launch Let’s Be Real, and what conversations did you feel were missing from social media?
Riya: I’ve always believed that the most meaningful conversations need more than a minute. Let’s Be Real gives people the space to share their stories honestly, without rushing. I wanted to create conversations that go beyond highlights and explore the emotions and experiences we don’t often talk about online.
2. In a world dominated by filters, edits and carefully curated lives, what does “being real” actually mean to you today?
Riya: Being real doesn’t mean sharing everything. It means being honest about your experiences instead of pretending life is perfect. Authenticity is about showing up as yourself, flaws, growth, and all.
3. You’ve become a powerful voice for people with vitiligo. Was there a defining moment when you stopped seeing it as something to hide and started embracing it as part of your identity?
Riya: It wasn’t one defining moment. It was a gradual journey of choosing myself over other people’s opinions. The more I accepted my vitiligo, the more I realised it was never something that made me less. It simply made my story different.
4. As someone who’s built a community around authenticity, has being vulnerable online ever come at a personal cost? How do you balance openness with protecting your own peace?
Riya: Absolutely. Being vulnerable can be emotionally draining, and I’ve learnt that not everything has to be shared in real time. I share experiences when I’ve had the time to process them first. That balance helps me stay authentic while protecting my peace.
5. Do you think brands, media and creators have become genuinely more inclusive, or does representation still have a long way to go when it comes to visible differences like vitiligo?
Riya: We’ve definitely made progress, and it’s encouraging to see more representation than before. But true inclusion is when diversity becomes normal, not a campaign. There’s still a long way to go, and I hope we continue moving in that direction.
6. If someone listening to your podcast is struggling with self-acceptance today, what’s the one message you hope they walk away with after hearing your conversations?
Riya: I hope they realise they’re not alone. Whatever they’re going through, someone else has probably felt it too. If they leave feeling seen, understood, and a little kinder to themselves, then we’ve achieved what Let’s Be Real is all about.