As the grand finale of the 71st edition of the Miss World pageant, hosted by India after a hiatus of 28 years just a day away, promises to be an extraordinary celebration of diversity, strength, and purpose, SheThePeople dived into insightful conversations with eight remarkable contestants from India to Nepal, Bangladesh to Japan, New Zealand to Poland, France, and Brazil vying for the coveted title. Beyond the dazzling gowns and radiant smiles, these remarkable women share stories of overcoming insecurities, challenging societal norms, and harnessing their unique journeys to advocate for causes that extend far beyond the glittering stage. This exploration is a celebration of beauty that goes beyond conventional standards, a journey that surpasses mere representation, and a platform that amplifies voices for a more meaningful and broader conversation.
On Being In India
As an Indian-origin representative for New Zealand, Navjot Kaur embodies the fusion of two worlds: her Indian roots and her New Zealand upbringing. As she walks the streets of India, she feels the tug of her ancestral homeland, a place that resonates with tradition, values, and a sense of belonging.
India is my traditional roots. It feels like a home away from home. It's where my mom's Punjabi values and traditions resonate, infusing my life with a sense of belonging and cultural richness. With my dual identity, I seek to bridge the gap between tradition and modernity, encouraging women to pursue their aspirations while honoring their heritage.
Leticia Frota, who stands as Brazil's representative and is visiting India for the second time, conveyed a mix of emotions stemming from her profound experiences in 2022. Her initial interaction involved participation in a global forum on Hansen's disease, aligning with her social project. Now, in 2024, Frota immerses herself more intensively, absorbing the warmth of the people and delving into the rich values of Indian culture. For her, being in India isn't just a pageant destination; it's a learning experience that she intends to carry back to her home country and share with the world.
I could taste the whole culture and that experience, but now I'm living more intensively, and the people here are so welcome with us and we have the opportunity to learn a lot about the future about values of India people and we also can bring this with us to our countries to share with all over the world.
As Krystyna Sokolowska, Poland's representative, immerses herself in the culture of India, she shares her personal fascination with the country, describing it as "exotic for us Europeans." Her family, with a significant entourage from Poland, eagerly awaits the finals. "I'm very, very excited," she exclaims, listing family members attending the event. However, she candidly admits to initial apprehensions about India's renowned spicy cuisine, a stark contrast to Poland's culinary preferences. "Yeah, the spiciness is like crazy," she laughs, but with each passing day, she is optimistic about acclimating to the diverse flavors India offers.
Miss France Clémence Botino, whose roots trace back to a French island in the Caribbean. In her interview with SheThePeople, Clémence talks about her unique connection with India, where she perceives a part of her identity, "I feel like I'm half a little bit half Indian. So it's nice to come and see this country because it's like a part of me somehow."
Overcoming Insecurities on the Beauty Platform
Navjot's journey from a tomboyish upbringing to being a Miss World representative reflects a narrative of breaking societal stereotypes. She delves into her past, reminiscing about her sports-centric childhood, playing rugby, swimming, and participating in competitions traditionally associated with male-dominated spheres. "Me and my younger sister did the Miss New Zealand competition, and I won. I didn't know I was going to win, I didn't think I was going to win because I never thought that I would come on a platform and talk in front of so many people. But then I always had it in me that I wanted to make a difference," she shares candidly.
Her story emphasizes the evolving definition of beauty, goes beyond physical appearances to focus on qualities that make a lasting impact. Navjot states, "I wasn't the prettiest in New Zealand as well. Right now, I'm not the prettiest. But I think it's how you treat people and what they feel about you that makes you feel loved. They feel comfortable around you."
Amidst glamour and competition, Frota too reveals her inner struggles and the strength that defines her journey: "To be honest, the important thing at this moment sometimes happens as women, like here we are in a beautiful state with beautiful girls from all over the world, so sometimes we want to get nervous, we want to compare ourselves. But for me, the best way to not do that is to remember about my history, about my youth, about my family, about everything that I did until being here."
During a moment of vulnerability, Clémence sheds light on the persistent insecurities that accompany the journey to the Miss World stage, dispelling the notion that confidence blossoms with success, "The more you go higher, the more the insecurity disappears. That's not true. The pressure is higher too."
Beyond the glittering facade of the pageant, Clémence also emphasizes the necessity of diversifying beauty standards. Her words challenge societal norms and call for a broader, more inclusive definition of beauty: "We are living in a world where the notion of beauty is constantly moving, and that's a good thing. But beauty is something complex that, like, generations have always changed. I wouldn't have been Miss France like 100 years ago because I wasn't looking enough French, you know? So I would say that as long as I can be standing here as the representative of my country, a European country, it's already like a big step in the definition of beauty."
Krystyna candidly discusses her personal journey while stressing the importance of self-love. "We need to learn how to love ourselves, and then we can love each other and other people," she asserts. Acknowledging the normalcy of bad days, Krystyna shares a daily ritual of self-affirmation. "Wake up, look at the mirror and tell yourself, 'You are enough. You are beautiful, just the way you are.'"
This practice extends beyond personal empowerment for Krystyna. She passionately shares this wisdom with the girls she mentors, fostering a culture of self-acceptance and kindness. "I'm very proud of you," she tells them, urging them to look in the mirror and express pride in themselves, emphasizing the huge impact of small acts of kindness.
Why Representation Matters
For Krystyna, representation on a global platform goes beyond the confines of nationality. "I really wanted to help others," she emphasizes, highlighting her involvement in numerous charitable endeavors. From hosting charity events to supporting Ukrainian refugees during times of crisis, her actions highlight the lasting impact that beauty queens can have on real-world issues. Her account of aiding Ukrainian refugees during the conflict paints a poignant picture of compassion in action. "We became a family," she emotionally shares, reminiscing about inviting a mother and daughter into her home. Krystyna's commitment to providing translation services and offering gymnastics lessons to traumatized children speaks volumes about her dedication to making a difference, one life at a time.
For Frota, representation extends beyond national borders, spotlighting Brazil's unique identity, particularly the Amazon. Her mission is to convey a global message about the urgent need to protect the planet, with a specific focus on the challenges faced by indigenous and riverside communities in the Amazon. Frota believes that her representation on the Miss World stage plays a crucial role in influencing the interconnected fate of the Amazon and the world.
"For me, it is about the beautiful empowerment of women through our actions, through our examples, because we are here not only to talk and to do beautiful speeches, but actually to do hard work, to go and to do what we have to do, to visit communities around the world, and for me, this is one of the most beautiful things that Miss world brings for us."
Beyond the glittering crowns and sparkling gowns, the Miss World contestants redefine the standards of beauty, challenge societal norms, and use their unconventional beauty for a purpose—representing their countries on a global platform and advocating for issues that demand a broader conversation.
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