In November 2023, the spotlight shone brightly on El Salvador as the 72nd annual Miss Universe pageant brought together contestants from 84 nations. Among them was Jane Dipika Garrett, who represented Nepal with grace and determination.

At just 22 years old, Garrett captured global attention by becoming the first plus-sized delegate in the competition's history, breaking barriers in an industry often defined by conventional beauty standards.

Hailing from Kathmandu, she stood out at the prestigious competition that has previously crowned notable winners like Olivia Culpo in 2012.

She represented her country as Miss Universe Nepal, becoming a fan favorite not just for her appearance but also for her unwavering advocacy.

A Trailblazer on the Miss Universe Stage

A nursing student by profession, Garrett carried a powerful message of inclusivity, promoting body positivity and raising awareness about hormonal health, PCOS, and mental well-being.

Her holistic approach to beauty emphasized substance over style, earning her widespread admiration. Garrett's participation celebrated more than her nation’s presence on the global stage — it symbolized a shift in the beauty industry toward embracing diversity.

In the swimsuit segment, she confidently walked the runway in a metallic one-piece halterneck design. The ruching at the waist not only highlighted her figure but also made a statement about celebrating body confidence.

In the evening gown category, Garrett paid homage to her South Asian roots. She dazzled in a red and gold figure-hugging ensemble, blending tradition with contemporary flair. The intricate design and bold colors spoke volumes about her pride in representing Nepal and its rich heritage.

However, after her groundbreaking run at Miss Universe 2023, Garrett opened up about the highs and lows of her experience. As the first plus-sized contestant to secure a spot in the top 20, her journey was filled with triumphs and challenges.

On Breaking Barriers and Facing Criticism

Following her exit from Miss Universe 2023, Garrett opened up about her struggles with self-esteem, her determination to inspire others, and the harsh criticism she faced along the way during a candid interview.

Garrett admitted that advancing to the top 20 was a pleasant surprise. Having once battled low self-esteem and eating disorders, she described the achievement as deeply validating. "I really did not expect to get that much applause on the stage or that much spotlight," she explained.

"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," Garrett added.

Her moment on stage, surrounded by applause, was transformative not just for her but also for societal perceptions of beauty.

"I came with a humble heart… but when I won on that stage, I got the loudest applause from the whole entire audience," she said.

"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," Miss Universe Nepal continued.

Although her journey ended after the top 20, Garrett expressed immense pride in what she had accomplished, celebrating on Instagram with the caption, "Top 20 baby! I'm grateful to all my fans and people who supported me. I gave my best and that's what matters!"

The caption continued, "I'm so proud to be representing real-size beauty around the world and breaking the stereotypes of beauty pageants. So proud of the new Miss Universe and will forever cherish this season of my life that was life-changing!"

Garrett's boldness inspired many, with one person commenting, "Goddess!" "So beautiful," another social media user shared. A third typed, "Gorgeous baby" and a fourth person wrote, "You are very beautiful."

However, her presence also invited harsh criticism, as some online comments attacked her appearance. "Lol I have seen girls much prettier than her," one person said. "Miss jumbo! Not miss universe," another person wrote. A third remarked, "Really!! Can't find anything good in you."

Garrett revealed that she was aware of some of the cruel things people were saying about her. "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. And it's like they don't even know my story. They don't even know what I'm going through," she admitted.

According to Garrett, her struggles with weight were tied to a medical condition, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which causes hormonal imbalances and makes it challenging to maintain a consistent weight. "So it's very easy for us to gain weight. Even if we just look at a piece of cake, we can gain weight," she explained.

Due to PCOS and hormonal issues, she had gained a lot of weight, which took a toll on her mental health and self-esteem as she momentarily believed she wasn't good or beautiful enough.

Reflecting on her younger years, the South Asian beauty shared that her dream of becoming a model led to harmful behaviors as she struggled to fit into societal ideals.

"While I was growing up, I used to want to be a model as well, and I used to starve myself. I had a lot of eating disorders and mental health issues when I was a child because I wanted to be a model," Garrett revealed.

She added, "And all the girls around me were very thin, especially when you're a teenager… because that's just their body type. And I would compare myself to a lot of the girls there, and I would feel like I'm not good enough."

However, Garrett eventually learned to love herself, saying, "So I had to really remove all of those messages that were coming from society as well as coming from my own mind. So I had to really brainwash myself again and accept who I am and love myself."

Once on the Miss Universe stage, she chose not to let the negativity affect her mission. "[The haters are] just judging me from social media, and that's their problem. I don't let it bother me… Society can be very cruel. People can be very cruel sometimes," she shared.

Despite the criticism, Garrett remained committed to redefining beauty standards and promoting body positivity. "Body positivity for me basically stands for whatever body that you're in. You accept it, you love yourself, you are embracing what you are, but you're also going towards a healthy lifestyle," she shared.

In April 2024, Garrett returned to the runway, dazzling audiences in a sparkly body-con dress, proving once again that her confidence and advocacy were unwavering.

Garrett's journey at the 72nd Annual Miss Universe pageant was about more than competition — it was about challenging stereotypes and inspiring change.

Her resilience left an indelible mark on the beauty industry, showing the world that real beauty transcends size and proving that authenticity always shines brightest.