(Jun 12, 2025) “If crowned Miss Telugu USA, how would you use this platform to impact the community?”
When a panel of judges at the Miss Telugu USA, 2025 posed the question to a contestant, Avanthika Reddy, her reply made all the difference.
“The crown is a key to platforms that serve purpose. With this key, I won’t just open doors for myself — I’ll unlock stages for those who’ve been waiting for someone to hand them a mic. I believe in platforms that give voice to the voiceless, and with this title, I will make sure no voice worth hearing ever goes unheard.”
The powerful reply lit up the venue, paving the way for Avanthika Reddy to become the first-ever Miss Telugu USA 2025, marking a milestone not just in her own journey but for the Telugu community across the United States. “I showed up for every round (in the pageant) as me — raw, rooted, and real. My answer didn’t come from a pageant playbook; it came from a place that’s fought to be heard all my life,” smiles Avanthika Reddy, in a chat with Global Indian.
A social media strategist, emcee, entrepreneur and a passionate advocate for cultural preservation — Avanthika’s crowning moment wasn’t just about beauty. It symbolizes strength, purpose, and identity.
The pageant
Avanthika’s journey began the moment her name was shortlisted among 800 applications. “The competition wasn’t just about beauty or stage presence, it was about purpose, resilience, and voice. But we were united by our pride in being Telugu,” says the Miss Telugu USA.
The event held amidst grandeur and cultural pride, in Irving, Texas, was organized by MB Arts Studio. The panel of judges comprised singer Geetha Madhuri, Miss Grand India USA Shriya and the seasoned pageant coach- model Eesha.
The pageant had multiple rounds — traditional wear, talent, evening gown and the Q&A round.
“It was a platform where I could stand tall, rooted in my Telugu identity, draped in tradition, and carrying the pride of the American flag all at once,” says Avanthika, who lives in Dallas, Texas.
So what made her stand out from the rest? “I believe it was my intention,” says Avanthika, who feels the pageant allowed her to represent her culture, community, and herself, without having to choose between the land she was born in and the land where she was raised.
Not the first time
Miss Telugu USA 2025 was Avanthika’s first official pageant on a national platform, but it certainly wasn’t her first time on stage. “During my college years, I actively participated in campus pageants, fashion walks, cultural showcases, and anchoring events. That’s where my journey truly began.”
Over the years, she trained hard, whether it was refining her public speaking, perfecting her walk, or learning how to carry a story with grace and authenticity.
View this post on Instagram
Born in the United States, raised in India
Born in Connecticut, Avanthika moved to India soon after and spent her entire childhood in Hyderabad. “Though I am American by birth, my upbringing was deeply rooted in Indian values, language, and traditions,” she informs.
She grew up surrounded by the strength, wisdom, and warmth of her mother and grandmother — who shaped her in ways she will carry forever. “My grandmother wasn’t just a storyteller; she was the story — fiercely rooted in tradition, unwavering in love, and endlessly giving,” says Avanthika, who learnt the beauty of heritage and the responsibility of carrying it forward from her grandmother.
She describes her mother, a homemaker, as a silent warrior who taught her resilience and gave her the freedom to explore, fall, dream, and always return home to strength. Her father, she says, pushed her to aim higher and never sugarcoated feedback. “He’s been my biggest critic and my strongest armour.”
A multifaceted personality
Avanthika studied at Meridian School, Banjara Hills in Hyderabad. “I wasn’t a straight-A student or the teacher’s pet. I was the girl you’d see on the basketball court, practicing taekwondo, or caught daydreaming about something far beyond the classroom.”
Things began changing when she got into Villa Marie Degree College. “This campus didn’t just give me education, it gave me identity,” says Avanthika, who went on to pursue Bachelor’s in Journalism and Political Science and graduated as the valedictorian.
While in college, she fell in love with anchoring, performing arts, speaking on stage, organizing cultural fests — anything that involved representing people, sharing stories, and being a bridge between tradition and change.
Wearing many hats
Now, Avanthika proudly wears many hats as a multifaceted professional in the U.S.. As a social media strategist, she works closely with brands, businesses, and creators to build digital identities that are authentic, impactful, and culture-driven.
Whether it is developing a campaign from scratch, managing content calendars, or curating reels that speak to the soul of a brand, Avanthika believes strategy should always be rooted in storytelling. “My speciality lies in helping community-based, women-led, and purpose-driven businesses grow — not just in followers, but in meaning.”
As an emcee, Avanthika has hosted more than 100 events across the U.S., including Telugu cultural festivals, corporate galas, community celebrations, concerts, and more. “For me, anchoring is not just about keeping an event flowing. it’s about reading the room, holding energy, and making every single person in the audience feel like they belong.”
Avanthika is also an entrepreneur. She founded Avaanya, a conscious lifestyle brand that brings handmade, culturally-rooted fashion and footwear to a modern audience. “Avaanya was born out of my love for heritage crafts and my respect for the artisans behind them. Every product tells a story of tradition, resilience, and revival,” she remarks.
Life unplugged
Avanthika also hosts a Telugu radio show called Life Unplugged on Radio Surabhi, America’s first 24×7 Telugu radio station. She says it’s not merely a talk show but a space where culture, emotion, and conversation come alive. “We talk about everything — from mental health and women’s rights to handlooms, identity, small businesses, and nostalgia. I intentionally make it a space that doesn’t rely on shock value or drama, but on depth and discovery.”
“Radio serves as a bridge between where we came from and where we’re going,” she says while highlighting that in today’s fast-paced digital age, there’s still space for listening, for reflection, and for storytelling that heals.
A cultural advocate
Avanthika feels many from her generation are drifting away from culture, not intentionally, but because the world around them is moving at a pace that often demands assimilation over identity. “Social media rewards trends, not traditions. For many, especially those born outside India, there’s a fear of being “too Indian” in western spaces or “not Indian enough” when they return home. It creates a disconnect.”
As a cultural advocate, Avanthika’s mission is clear: preserve, celebrate, and evolve culture, particularly Telugu culture, especially among the younger generation of the diaspora. “Through my radio show, social media content, and event presence, I constantly spotlight Telugu arts, language, unsung heroes, and women entrepreneurs,” says Avanthika.
Each of these roles may sound different on paper, but at their core, they all reflect one thing: a deep desire to connect stories to people and people to purpose, she sums up.
Giving back
The cause closest to Avanthika’s heart is children’s nutrition in rural Telangana. “I remember traveling to villages where school kids didn’t have a guaranteed meal but still showed up every day with dreams in their eyes. That moved something deep within me,” says Avanthika.
Through partnerships with grassroots organizations, she has been working to ensure that children in these communities not only get meals, but also know that someone out there cares about their future. “Whether it’s through awareness campaigns, fundraisers, or using my platforms, this is a mission I plan to carry with me for life.”
Alongside that, she brings to spotlight unsung women entrepreneurs — especially those from small towns and villages, who might not have social media followings or pitch decks, but are building empires with their bare hands. “Women entrepreneurs build legacies from nothing, yet rarely find a moment in the spotlight,” she points out.
Work-life balance
The first thing Avanthika does in the morning is journal, even if it’s just a few lines. “It helps me ground myself before the rush of the day,” she says.
From there, it’s go-time. As a social media strategist, she manages brands and a big part of her day involves planning content calendars, coordinating shoots, editing reels, responding to client briefs, and staying on top of trends. As an entrepreneur, she keeps working on new strategies.
In between, she is either prepping for an event emceeing, recording segments for Radio Surabhi, or working on campaign strategies for causes close to her heart.
And when she is not working travel is one of Avanthika’s biggest passions — not just for the destination, but for the experience. “I love exploring new places, trying different cuisines, and finding hidden gems in every city I visit.”
But her comfort zone is Telugu cinema. “Old films, emotional drama, musical numbers — they’re not just entertainment; they’re a piece of my identity,” she remarks.
Future plans?
“Building, amplifying, and giving back,” she says.
Avanthika is working towards building her own brand consulting firm. It would be a one-stop destination for everything a brand needs to grow: from strategy, content, design, and digital storytelling to community connection.
Beyond business, she wants to venture more deeply into content creation — from meaningful series and talk shows to documentary-style storytelling, highlighting culture, identity, and underrepresented voices.
For Miss Telugu USA 2025 the future isn’t just about success; it’s about significance.
- Follow Avanthika Reddy on Instagram
ALSO READ: Dharmatma Saran: The visionary behind desi beauty pageants with a purpose
Truly honored to be featured — thank you to the magazine for this incredible opportunity and to the writer for capturing my story with such heart and detail. Grateful beyond words for the recognition and the platform to share my journey. 🙏✨