Spotlight: The Rock Star of Spelling
(Photo: @Facebook/SteveOnShow)
Child prodigy and spelling bee sensation AKASH VUKOTI is more than just a wordsmith. He talks to Khabar about his life in the spotlight, his new book, and why Indian Americans have dominated the Spelling Bee.
The charming six-year-old who won the hearts of many through his appearances on Jimmy Kimmel, Steve Harvey, and other shows is now a confident teen who frequently delivers keynote speeches at corporate events.
(Photo: Screenshot from ABC's Jimmy Kimmel Live show)
At just 15 years old, Akash Vukoti’s days are busier than many adults. When I met him for this interview during his 30-minute school recess, he had just returned from a debate competition in Lubbock, Texas. That’s just like any other day for this young dynamo. When not in school, he is often delivering keynote speeches at corporate events or preparing for motivational speaking gigs. Despite the schoolwork and a packed calendar, he has spent most of last year researching and writing his debut book, Spelling Anything.
Akash has been accomplishing far beyond his age since he was a toddler. He was spelling at age two, became a MENSA member at three, and, at just six years, became the youngest-ever competitor at the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Beyond all the accomplishments, what strikes one most about him is how effervescent and confident he was even as a child.
[Right] Young Akash was one of the Indian American champions who became the subject of Netflix’s documentary film, Spelling the Dream.
Perhaps that’s what landed him on popular TV shows such as Jimmy Kimmel Live, Steve Harvey’s Little Big Shots, and Dancing with the Stars: Juniors. On the Steve Harvey show, as a 6-year-old, he spelled, with ample flair, difficult words like “derriere” and “connoisseur”—leaving Harvey dumbfounded. The prodigiously talented Akash has been in documentaries such as Spelling the Dream on Netflix and has received global child prodigy awards.
During a conversation involving impossibly long words in English, Telugu, and Hindi, Akash talks about his incredible journey that started at just two years of age.
[Left] Receiving the Global Child Prodigy Award 2020 from Nobel Laureate Kailash Satyarthi.
When did you first realize your love for spelling? And that you were exceptionally talented in it?
Ever since I was little, I’ve always had a deep love for the English language! My parents noticed my fascination with alphabets and words. They tell me that when I was just two years old, I could spell sight words. Whenever we’d visit the library, I’d be glued to the alphabet toys. I used to cry when it was time to leave! Eventually, my parents started buying those toys for me and provided a favorable environment for me to excel at home.
Can you take us back to your first experience competing at the Scripps National Spelling Bee when you were just 6 years old? What stands out most from that unforgettable moment?
It was an experience I’ll never forget! As the youngest boy ever to qualify, I was surrounded by spellers much older than me. But instead of feeling nervous, I was filled with excitement. I can still recall the rush of stepping onto that big stage in Washington, D.C. for the first time—the bright lights, the cameras, the audience eagerly waiting for my word. It was a moment of pure adrenaline! What I remember most was the incredible energy of the competition: the thrill of being on stage, the unwavering support from my family, and the camaraderie with my fellow spellers. Everyone was so encouraging, and it felt like I was part of something truly special. That experience and the media attention that followed only deepened my passion and inspired me to continue.
[Right] The ace speller has also boogied his way into shows like “Dancing with the Stars: Juniors.” (Photo: Screenshot from ABC's "Dancing with the Stars: Juniors")
You’ve appeared on numerous TV shows. What was it like being on shows with legends like Steve Harvey?
I had the chance to work with Mr. Harvey on three shows, which was truly fantastic. Not only is he hilarious and charismatic, but he also knows how to bring out the best in his guests. Being on Dancing with the Stars: Juniors was a once-in-a-lifetime experience! As the youngest celebrity competitor ever—and the only one focused on academics—learning to dance and perform live definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone! I made it to Week 6 of the 8-week show. It taught me that learning isn’t just about academics; it’s about stepping outside your comfort zone, embracing new experiences, and growing in unexpected ways.
You’ve been in the spotlight from such a young age. What’s been the most challenging part of handling the pressure to perform at your best consistently, and how do you manage the nerves that come with it?
The support from my family and friends has always encouraged me. The nerves grew year after year in the Spelling Bee as I kept returning, but my motivation and determination helped me make it to a record six National Spelling Bees! When it comes to TV shows, I’ve always been excited rather than nervous to be in front of the camera and audience, which made my time in Hollywood so enjoyable. I love sharing what I’ve learned with others, and this passion has led me to a career in public speaking,
Akash gives a lot of credit for his success to his parents and elder sister.
You’re fluent in three languages! What’s your favorite word in Telugu, Hindi, and English, and what makes them special to you?
My favorite word in English is one of the longest in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary: pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis! It’s a 45-letter word that refers to a disease caused by inhaling very fine silica dust particles. I learned to spell this word when I was around 4!
In Telugu, I was awestruck by one of the longest words: Dhoomachakrasakata-aagamananirgamana-nivasasthalamu. It means railway station, when used as a creative word for literary purposes.
And in Hindi: lauhpathagāminīsūchakdarshkaharitatāmralauhpattikā, which means a green railway warning signboard made of copper-iron.
Tell us about your debut book, Spelling Anything. Why a book telling people how to spell?
I have been incredibly excited about the book since the idea came to me! As a Spelling Bee champion, I’ve received numerous emails and messages from fans around the world asking how I prepared for the competition and what my best tips are. While I’ve tried to answer as many as possible, I realized it would be even more valuable for aspiring spellers if I could compile all of my knowledge and experiences into one book. I wanted to create something that could help and inspire young minds nationwide—whether they’re preparing for a Spelling Bee or simply looking to improve their vocabulary.
Writing the book took several months of planning and reflecting on my experiences in Spelling Bees to craft the perfect guide for regional Spelling Bee competitors. Choosing the topic was a no-brainer since I’m passionate about spelling. I wanted to provide a jumpstart for aspiring spellers to succeed. This book covers everything that students from elementary and middle schools need to know to make it to the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Writing this book was a great challenge, but I truly enjoyed the process!
What’s one key strategy from Spelling Anything that you believe could make a real difference for a young speller preparing for their first competition?
Understanding word patterns and their origins. Although it may seem like a lot of memorization at first, spellers don’t need to memorize half a million words! Instead, I encourage them to focus on learning roots, prefixes, suffixes, and the language of origin. This approach helps decode word spellings and allows spellers to make educated guesses for unfamiliar words. For example, if you know that Greek words often use “ph” instead of “f” (like in philosophy or sphinx), or that French words often have silent letters at the end (escargot, coup), you can apply these patterns during a competition. Focusing on word structure rather than just rote memorization, one can get long-term success beyond the Spelling Bee!
Why do you think the Spelling Bee remains such an important milestone for Indian American families? Do you ever feel that the pressure to succeed is too intense in such high-stakes environments?
As highlighted in the Netflix film Spelling the Dream, many South Asian immigrants to the U.S. arrived through careers in high-tech fields such as engineering, medicine, or academia. These families place strong emphasis on education, with cultural values often centered around academic success. Most of these families are multilingual, and children in these households develop a deep passion for languages. Spelling Bees became an important milestone because it represents academic excellence, discipline, and a strong work ethic—values that are deeply rooted in South Asian culture. Of course, the pressure remains!
[Right] Being a TEDx speaker is one of Akash’s many accomplishments. The young man is eyeing a career in public service—oh, and in entertainment!
At just 15, you’ve already achieved so much. What are your goals for the future? Are there other passions beyond spelling that you’re eager to explore and pursue?
Lately, I’ve been focusing on honing my skills in public speaking. During my freshman year of high school, I had delivered a Commencement Speech for high school graduates in South Carolina! I’m also a TEDx speaker and have delivered keynote addresses for a range of organizations, including school districts and multinational companies. In addition to public speaking, I run a voter education nonprofit called “What Is On My Ballot?” My goal is to boost voter turnout and improve awareness about elections. I plan to pursue a degree in Government in college, with the aim of entering public service. Also, I would love a career in entertainment!
Zofeen Maqsood is a U.S. based journalist who writes extensively on millennial trends and expat issues. She has contributed for the some of the biggest newspapers and websites in India and in the U.S.
Enjoyed reading Khabar magazine? Subscribe to Khabar and get a full digital copy of this Indian-American community magazine.
