Melanie Chandra Biography

Fast Facts

• Is a 2nd-degree black belt in Shotokan karate and two-time bronze medalist at the Pan American Games
• During her time at Stanford, held the position of student body president, was a cheerleader and danced with the school's Bollywood dance troupe
• Won the title of Miss India America in 2007
• Left her job as a business analyst at McKinsey & Company to pursue an acting career
• Modeled for Bare Escentuals, Herbal Essences, Clinique, Kohl's, Verizon and Nescafé
• Featured in an interview for the HBO documentary East of Main Street that examines underrepresentation of Asian actors in American media
• Co-founder of the non-profit organization Hospital for Hope