Amidst the glitz and glamor of the 72nd Miss Universe pageant, the stage was lit up with moments that shattered stereotypes and sparked conversations around the world. The event witnessed a revolutionary shift in representation and empowerment, particularly thanks to the pioneering contributions of Jane Dipika Garrett from Nepal and Erica Robin from Pakistan. These pioneering contestants challenged conventional beauty standards and cultural perceptions and left an indelible mark on pageant history.
There were many innovative moments during the last 72nd edition of the Miss Universe pageant. One of the standouts was Miss Nepal, who made history by becoming the first plus-size contestant on the Miss Universe stage.
The 72nd edition of the Miss Universe pageant saw several firsts this year and 22-year-old Jane Dipika Garrett, the current Miss Nepal, was one of the contestants who received a lot of support.
Garrett won the coveted Miss Nepal title earlier this year, giving her the chance to compete as the national representative in the prestigious Miss Universe pageant.
November 18th at the Gimnasio Nacional José Adolfo Pineda in San Salvador, El Salvador was a historic day as Garrett was the first plus-size competitor to ever walk the famous stage.
She proudly embraced her curves and said, “As a curvy woman who doesn’t follow certain beauty standards, I’m here to represent all women,” according to Indy100.
The audience was aware of Garrett’s presence on the Miss Universe stage and felt her inclusion was significant.
Applause erupted from the crowd as the 22-year-old strode onto the stage in an eye-catching silver one-piece during the swimsuit competition.
Fans cheering from home were ecstatic, with many taking to social media sites like X (formerly known as Twitter) to congratulate the beauty queen on her breakthrough and powerful representation.
“Jane Dipika Garrett from Nepal is AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL and defies the norm as Miss Universe.
I admire that he has the support of the crowd. Finally, plus-size women are represented in Ms. AT! I’m rooting for you GOO GOO Jane,” someone tweeted.
Another said: “You have broken barriers, Jane Dipika Garrett. You are a reflection of yourself for many women around the world. Glad to see you in the Top 20, my personal favorite.”
Miss Nepal can get it❣️ So my type 🥰 pic.twitter.com/n1MhdwVfN7
— Serialchiller (@Serialchiller1) November 19, 2023
“Nice to see Miss Nepal in the Miss Universe pageant dominated by slender ladies,” tweeted a third viewer. The presence of all body types is energizing. Women have different body types and each type is excellent.”
In addition to her position as Miss Nepal, Garrett is a strong advocate for hormone health and body positivity, focusing on issues related to mental health and PCOS. Her personal battles with PCOS and depression drive her advocacy.
“A few years ago I was a very insecure person and had very low self-esteem,” she previously told Hola magazine. Now I consider myself successful when I love who I am.”
seeing the Miss Universe contestant from Nepal,
— Lupina🩷💉🐾healpuptuber (@LupinaBella) November 20, 2023
I felt so happy that thick girls were being represented, my body type is on display and she looks SO DAMN GOOD
then I went into the comments and everyone is calling her a cow??? like… tell me you will never touch a woman 💀💀💀 pic.twitter.com/QiH2gx8IF2
The introduction of the first-ever Miss Pakistan was another major event at this year’s Miss Universe pageant.
During the Miss Universe swimsuit competition, Erica Robin representing Pakistan made a revolutionary statement.
Among the bolder swimwear that graced the stage, Robin stood out in a stunning pastel pink burkini that covered much of her body, and the San Salvador crowd was sure to cheer her on.
Unfortunately, as reported by BBC News, some Pakistani politicians criticized Erica Robin for her participation in the pageant, calling her “disgraceful”. Anwar ul-Haq Kakar, the acting prime minister, even went so far as to launch an inquiry into the situation.
Robin, 24, responded to the commotion by saying: “It feels great to represent Pakistan.” I’m not sure where the criticism is coming from though. I believe it’s the idea of walking around a room full of men in bathing suits.”
Erica Robin said before the pageant that she wanted to “shift the perception that Pakistan is a backward nation”.
Sheynnis Palacios, representing Nicaragua, was the eventual winner of the competition despite the difficulties she encountered.
The recent Miss Universe pageant brought a wave of groundbreaking moments, most notably the historic representation of Nepal’s Jane Dipika Garrett as the first plus-size contestant on this prestigious stage. Her confident presence sparked conversations about body positivity and inclusivity that resonated with audiences around the world. Similarly, Eric Robin’s performance for Pakistan, despite criticism, aimed to challenge stereotypes and redefine perceptions. These pageant cases highlight the changing landscape in beauty pageantry, emphasizing diversity and empowerment. As the event ended, the impact of these ground-breaking moments continued to reverberate and leave a mark on the evolving story of inclusivity on such global platforms.