Plus-Sized Beauty Queen Was Called ‘Disgusting’ Before Becoming First To Break Major Barrier On World Stage

Mar 27, 2025 by apost team

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The Miss Universe pageant is one of the most prolific annual beauty contests and has produced some of the most stunning models. In 2023, it was hosted in El Salvador, with Miss Nicaragua, Sheynnis Palacios, emerging victorious. However, amid all the hype surrounding the event, there were also instances of contestants looking to change the game in the modeling industry by defying the odds in one of the world’s most competitive pageants. One such woman was Jane Dipika Garrett, a young model representing Nepal in the contest. 

The 72nd edition of the glitzy Miss Universe pageant showcased the most impressive beauty, brains and talent from 84 countries. At just 23, Garrett represented her country with confidence and grace. She also made history on a global stage by being the first plus-sized delegate in the competition’s more than seven-decade history. While the modeling industry is often known for its strict weight standards, Garrett proved what we all have come to know – that weight does not define beauty and that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes. 

The Miss Universe pageant is also known for its charitable advocacy, focusing on “humanitarian issues and is a voice to affect positive change in the world.” Garrett shone brightly in this regard as a nursing school graduate who overcame hormonal issues and PCOS. Her advocacy revolved around these issues, as well as mental health and body positivity. Over the past few years, the beauty industry has welcomed diversity in many forms, and Garrett was a positive influence at the pageant.

Garrett shared her story with Fox News, opening up about her weight struggles and her mission to inspire others around the world to prioritize self-love and self-acceptance. She showed her resilience, having overcome eating disorders to reach a place of self-confidence.

She shared that she was awed by the overwhelming positive reception she received at the Miss Universe pageant:

“I really did not expect to get that much applause on the stage or that much spotlight. And I wasn’t expecting anything. I was just there to represent my country and to represent women all over the world. And that was my goal.” 

She also acknowledged that this was a chance for society to see completely normal body types that the industry has ignored for too long shine on stage.

“I came with a humble heart… but when I won on that stage, I got the loudest applause from the whole entire audience. And that felt so good because it was like a breakthrough moment for me and for society that they see something different, that they see real size beauty,” she said.

Unfortunately, she has also experienced criticism over her weight.

“I see things like, ‘Oh, she’s a whale,’ or ‘That’s disgusting. I’m going to vomit.’ Or like, ‘She’s promoting obesity.’ ‘Why don’t you go to the gym?’ And things like that,” Garrett said. “And it’s like they don’t even know my story. They don’t even know what I’m going through.”

Despite this, she remained immensely proud of her achievement in the contest and gushed on Instagram:

“Top 20 baby! I’m grateful to all my fans and people who supported me. I gave my best and that’s what matters!... I’m so proud to be representing real-size beauty around the world and breaking the stereotypes of beauty pageants.”

We certainly can’t wait to see what’s in store for the bold beauty queen!

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What are your thoughts on this? Do you agree that there should be more body diversity in beauty pageants? Let us know, and then pass this on to all your beautiful friends and family who the beauty queen might inspire!