Bela Bajaria has a life story that sounds a lot like the plot of one of the movies she green lights as chief content officer of Netflix. Born in London, she followed her parents to the U.S., worked as a cashier in high school, became a pageant queen (Miss India Worldwide 1991), and ultimately found success in the media world. Whether you love or hate the endless content available on the streamer in countless languages, you have Bajaria to thank.
What gets you out of bed in the morning?
Black coffee and a sheepadoodle named Winston.
What’s one work of art that got you through an important moment in your life?
John Hughes movies in my teen years to navigate not fitting in.
What do you think is your biggest contribution to culture?
It’s something I get to do every single day: entertain the world. No one has aspired to make this many shows and films, across this many languages and genres, ever. We’ve made it possible for people all over the world to watch a show or movie in more than 50 languages. It’s an incredible thing to be a part of.
When you were little, what were you known for?
When I moved to the U.S. at 9 years old, I was known for being the little brown girl with a British accent. So I worked quickly to sound as American as I could. I wish someone told me then that I would have been much cooler with a British accent!
Name an influence of yours that might surprise people.
Snoop Dogg. I’ve been a fan forever and have always loved West Coast rap. But in the last decade to see how Snoop has broadened his career is pretty incredible. Seeing people push conventional expectations is inspiring to me.
What question do you ask yourself most often while you’re making work?
Am we pushing the envelope enough? Is this a big swing or are we playing it too safe?
What would you wear to meet your greatest enemy?
I’d wear the same thing I wear almost every day: black leather pants, sneakers, a black sweater, high ponytail, and diamond studs.
What would you be doing if you weren’t working in your field?
I would work in football or football. Love every kind of football.
What’s been the hardest part of your career so far?
Having to explain to my kids that I got fired.
To read more from the 2026 CULT100 honorees, see the full list here.
in your life?
