NARGIS FAKHRI

Nargis Fakhri: A Global Journey Through Modeling and Cinema​

Early Life and Education

Nargis Fakhri was born on October 20, 1979, in Queens, New York City, to a Pakistani father, Mohammed Fakhri, and a Czech mother, Marie Fakhri. Her parents divorced when she was six, and her father passed away a few years later. Raised by her mother, Nargis grew up in a multicultural environment, which she credits for her adaptability and global outlook. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fine Arts with a minor in Psychology from Queens College, City University of New York .​

Modeling Career

Nargis began her modeling career at the age of 16. In 2004, she participated in the second and third cycles of "America's Next Top Model," becoming the first girl of Pakistani descent to be featured on the show . Although she did not make it to the top twelve, her appearance opened doors in the modeling industry. She worked with various freelance agencies and appeared in fashion shows across the globe, including countries like Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand, Hong Kong, Germany, the UK, Greece, Costa Rica, Cape Town, and Denmark . Her breakthrough came in 2009 when she featured in the Kingfisher Swimsuit Calendar, which caught the attention of Indian filmmaker Imtiaz Ali.​

Acting Career

Nargis made her Bollywood debut in 2011 with the romantic drama "Rockstar," opposite Ranbir Kapoor. Despite initial language barriers, her performance was well-received, earning her a nomination for Best Female Debut at the Filmfare Awards. She continued to build her acting portfolio with roles in films like "Madras Cafe" (2013), where she played a war correspondent, and "Main Tera Hero" (2014), a romantic comedy. In 2015, she made her Hollywood debut in the action-comedy "Spy," alongside Melissa McCarthy, Jason Statham, and Jude Law . Her other notable works include "Azhar" (2016), "Housefull 3" (2016), "Banjo" (2016), "5 Weddings" (2018), "Amavas" (2019), and "Torbaaz" (2020) .​

Personal Life and Interests

Nargis identifies herself as a global citizen, embracing her diverse heritage. She is known for her adventurous spirit, having lived and worked in various countries. Her hobbies include gardening, traveling, and practicing yoga. She is also an animal lover and has a pet dog . In her personal life, she has been linked to several individuals, including Uday Chopra (2014–2017) and Matt Alonzo (2018–2019). As of February 16, 2025, she is married to businessman Tony Beigh .​

Achievements and Recognition

Throughout her career, Nargis has received several awards and accolades. In 2012, she won the IIFA Award for Hottest Pair (shared with Ranbir Kapoor) for "Rockstar." In 2015, she received the Life OK NOW Award for Best Supporting Actor (Female) for "Main Tera Hero," the Bollywood Life Award for Most Motivational Celeb on Social Media, and the Filmfare Glamour and Style Award for Ciroc Not The Usual Award .​

Nargis Fakhri's journey from a young model in New York to an international actress is a testament to her resilience, adaptability, and passion for the arts. Her diverse background and global experiences continue to influence her work and connect her with audiences worldwide.