Mini Mathur recalls losing Indian Idol, MTV gig after becoming pregnant: ‘My contract was not renewed’

Mini Mathur (Pic/Instagram)

Mini Mathur has opened up about facing pregnancy bias during her television career, revealing how becoming a mother affected her hosting opportunities. From being asked to reconsider her stint on Indian Idol to losing her MTV contract, the former VJ recalled how she was told that pregnant hosts are not accepted.

Mini Mathur recalls losing hosting gigs due to pregnancy

Mini said, "When I was expecting Sairah, which was after the fourth season of Indian Idol, and I told the team, as they were going to start Season 5, that I was pregnant and I was going to be fine during the auditions, but by the time we were doing the finale episodes, I would be showing. So I was told to not do the season on my face. Reason? Indian audiences will not be able to accept a pregnant host. I was called back for Season 6, but by that time, my heart was not on the same page. I told them that I did not want to do it."

Mathur had spent five years as an MTV VJ when she became pregnant; however, her contract wasn't renewed as she was expecting. "When I got pregnant with Vivaan, I had spent five years on MTV. My contract was not renewed because VJs are never pregnant. Heidi Klum was hosting fully pregnant on Runway. But that is the West," she said.

More about Mini Mathur

Mathur began her television career with Tol Mol Ke Bol before becoming an MTV VJ. She later hosted the initial seasons of Indian Idol. Recently, she made her reality-show debut with Alliance. She emerged as its first winner and took home the trophy along with Rs 50 lakh cash prize. Opening up about her stint on the show, Mini told Mid-day, "Everyone who knows me knows I'm very competitive, so I felt this was something I could do. I was at a point in my life where I was playing it very safe and needed a shake-up. I didn't think I'd survive it. I thought I'd be out in a week. But I did it, and I'm happy about it."

On the work front, she will next be seen in Call Me Bae Season 2. The show will stream on Amazon Prime Video and stars Ananya Panday, Vihaan Samat, Gurfateh Pirzada and more.