Carol Gracias

Carol Maria Gracias is a prominent Indian supermodel and actress who has left a significant mark on the Indian fashion and entertainment industries over a career spanning more than two decades. Born on December 28, 1978, in Mumbai, Maharashtra, she was raised in a Goan Catholic family and spent her formative years in the city. Before her entry into the world of fashion, she attended college with an initial ambition to become a child psychologist, but her path shifted toward modeling in the late 1990s.

Her professional career took flight in 1998 when she won the prestigious Femina Elite Model Look India pageant at the age of 19. This victory quickly propelled her into the spotlight, leading her to work with top-tier Indian designers and choreographers like Hemant Trivedi. Carol became a fixture on the runway, known for her commanding presence and professionalism. She achieved a major breakthrough in the mainstream consciousness when she participated in the inaugural season of the reality show Bigg Boss in 2006, where she finished as the first runner-up. Her popularity on television continued as she appeared in Fear Factor: Khatron Ke Khiladi Level 2, eventually securing the position of second runner-up.

In addition to her success on television, Carol has made notable contributions to Indian cinema and the digital space. She appeared in the 2005 black comedy film Being Cyrus and was featured in the popular music video for the song "Right Here Right Now" from the movie Bluffmaster!. Her career is also defined by moments of resilience and advocacy for representation; in 2016, she made headlines by walking the ramp at Lakmé Fashion Week while heavily pregnant, a move that was widely praised for challenging conventional beauty standards in the modeling industry. She returned to the runway just six weeks after the birth of her son, demonstrating her continued dedication to her craft.

Today, Carol remains a respected figure in the industry and maintains a presence on social media platforms like Instagram, where she shares glimpses of her professional work and personal life. Throughout her journey, she has been recognized not just for her striking looks but for her grounded personality and her ability to navigate both the glamor of the runway and the intense scrutiny of reality television with poise. Her legacy includes being one of the first true "supermodels" of the modern Indian era who successfully transitioned into a multi-faceted media personality.