Jane Dipika Garrett shines as a beacon to a start of a new era of inclusivity as the first plus-size woman to be crowned as a Miss Universe winner.
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In a groundbreaking moment for beauty pageants, Jane Dipika Garrett, a nursing student hailing from Kathmandu, Nepal, secured victory at the Miss Universe Nepal pageant.
Her remarkable win not only crowns her as Nepal’s first-ever plus-size national beauty queen, but also as the first plus-size woman to attain the coveted Miss Universe title.
Garrett, who also holds American heritage, is more than just a beauty queen – she’s a passionate advocate for important causes. Her social media posts are dedicated to raising awareness about mental health, body positivity, and hormonal health issues affecting women in Nepal.
Notably, she courageously shares her battle with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), a common hormone disorder affecting women’s appearance and fertility due to hormonal imbalances and often associated with insulin resistance.
The importance of Garrett’s victory extends beyond her personal triumph. It signals a new era of inclusivity in the Miss Universe competition, which has been running for over seven decades.
“As a woman with curves that do not meet certain beauty standards, I am here to represent women who are built like me, who struggle with weight gain and who struggle with hormonal problems. I believe that there is not just one type of beauty. Every single woman is beautiful just the way she is,” Garrett said of her win, as per R News.
In 2022, the competition revised its rules to foster greater inclusivity, opening the door for mothers and married women to compete for the title, a move aimed at breaking with tradition that had previously limited participation to single women aged 18 to 28 who had never married or had children.
This rule change caused a significant shift in the competition’s history, aligning it with a more inclusive vision of beauty and celebrating the diverse experiences and accomplishments of women from all walks of life.
Miss South Africa and Miss Universe Guatemala have also followed suit, adapting their rules to embrace this more inclusive approach.
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Recently, Michelle Cohn, a mother of two, claimed victory as the first Miss Universe Guatemala participant and winner with a family. Her success further underscores the positive impact of these rule changes, demonstrating that women can excel in various aspects of life and pursue their dreams irrespective of their family responsibilities.
Jane Dipika Garrett’s historic win and the broader changes in the Miss Universe competition signify an important shift in the world of beauty pageants – championing inclusivity and recognising as well as celebrating the beauty and achievements of women from diverse backgrounds and life experiences.
Garrett’s victory is not just her own; it’s a win for diversity, empowerment, and the acknowledgment of beauty in all its forms.
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Feature Image: Instagram / @jadedpika_
