Breaking stereotypes! The Miss Universe 2023 pageant was recently held in El Salvador where Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios was crowned over the weekend. However, the pageant remained a hot topic for allowing a gorgeous plus size Nepali model weighing 80 kgs as a participant.
The 23-year-old Jane Dipika is an American-born Nepali model. The Miss Nepal pageant winner and body positivity advocate is 5.7 inches tall and her entry in the top 20 of the Miss Universe 2023 marked the first time a plus-size contestant entered the semi final stage of the pageant.
Earlier in the year, she became the first plus-sized woman to be crowned Miss Nepal. “As a woman who is curvy and who does not meet certain beauty standards, I’m here to represent women who are curvy, who struggle with weight gain, who struggle with hormonal issues”, said Jane after winning the title.
Jane works as a nurse and has stated that her goal with pageantry is to educate others about hormone imbalances and the potential effects they can have on mental health.
Jane has been open about her own health problems, revealing that she suffered from depression as a result of PCOS.
She experienced body-shaming and bullying as a result of her weight and frame when she first began competing in pageants.
Most beauty pageants cater to women with slim figures, and participation by plus-sized women is frowned upon, if not discouraged.
