We had the good fortune of connecting with Falguni Lakhani Adams and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Falguni, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?

This may sound clichéd, but to me the most important factor behind my success as an Executive Producer with Vice TV and as co-founder of Getting Hotter Official is that I view the world through the lens of empathy, community building and curiosity. The work we do at ViceTV is so enriching and valuable, and without empathy it doesn’t feel as powerful to tell someone’s story.

Getting Hotter Official was born out the same principle. Seeing how much cultural and generational wellness has impacted South Asians and women in general helped drive my co-partner Kruti Majmudar and I to create a safe space and resource center for everyone to access.

What else should we know? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?

My career spans back to the days I wanted to save the world through being an international human rights lawyer. To get to that path I interned during college at various organizations to round out my resume including putting together a film festival for SAKHI FOR SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN in NYC. This organization worked towards spreading awareness and raising money to help support women who were emotionally and physically abused by their partners or others. I guess you can say I saw the intersection of law and media from a young age. I transitioned from being a lawyer to looking at other ways to educate and inform through a creative lens, as I truly feel that’s when change can happen. It was really hard to navigate a world where not many barriers had been broken by South Asians, and particularly women!

I’m happy and proud to say that I remained true to who I was throughout my journey, even when I got my first job at MSNBC as a production assistant after being a prosecutor in Brooklyn. I have never balked at starting over, or at the bottom because I knew that a foot in the door and exposure would get me to the places I needed to get to. I’ve recently added another layer to my professional journey in starting a side hustle in the wellness space. I believe my ability to tell stories, create and connect with community and fully lead and direct with vulnerability sets me and my storytelling apart from most outlets, and people.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

Gosh, this is a tough one as I am fully a tourist in my own city most days, by design. I would say some of my favorite spots are K SPA (Olympic)- nothing like getting naked with your Bestie! The gorgeous Malibu hikes, and post drinks by the water, especially at the Malibu Beach Inn.

As a former New Yorker, I would always have a “meet spot” – the Lions at the NYPL. In LA, it’s usually the Street lights at LACMA. We could take a stroll through the museum, then perhaps a martini at Musso & Franks. The Hammer museum is also pretty rad, and I’m eager to try Alice Waters’ new spot there. I still love strolling through my hood in Venice, antique shopping or of course catching any music act at the Hollywood Bowl or the Greek. We must sit at an outdoor cafe in WeHo or DTLA and people watch, capped off with a rooftop bar drink to watch the sunset. I still love Pattern Bar in DTLA where all the drinks are named after designers, I’m not sure if it’s still open! Ha, now I want a “Chanel.”

There is so much more, while there may be a mass exodus to Austin or Spokane, I’m [still] having a delicious love affair with Los Angeles.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

Nothing I have or have done would be complete without thanking my Mom and Dad. My dad came from a small, poor village in Mumbai, India. As a young adult he traveled across the world, didn’t know a soul, barely spoke the language and created an entire universe for us all. The level of bravery and perseverance it likely took is unfathomable. When I think about the sacrifices of my immigrant parents so that I could pursue my artistic endeavors, my musical desires, even taking a respite from work when I need it ….it just fills me up with pride.

My husband, children, and  various tribes of women, mentors who believed in me, also deserve a shoutout. Finally my two brothers who paved the way for me…they went the traditional paths of becoming successful doctors and have always made sure to support me emotionally and financially!

I am so blessed with built in cheerleaders, people who keep me honest and humble but also raise me up. And,  I will always choose to give back to them and others, in spades.

Website: gettinghotter.com

Instagram: @producermama @gettinghotterofficial

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/falguniadams/

Image Credits
Katieflynnphotography (the first photo) Kelly Miyahara (the director photos)

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