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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline OCTOBER 16, 2026 | The Indian Eye 39

sentation for me. there representing America. I want
Coming from the Kannada film to represent the confidence, diversity,
community and stepping onto a opportunity, resilience, and spirit of
mainstream Hollywood platform re- a country that encourages women to
inforced something I deeply believe: dream boldly and pursue possibilities
representation matters. Sometimes across different chapters of their lives.
you have to walk into spaces where I also look forward to meeting
you may not see many people who accomplished women representing
share your background and have the countries from around the world.
courage to believe that you belong Each contestant will arrive with her
there. own story, experiences, and purpose.
Every challenge has made me I believe the true beauty of an inter-
stronger, but it has also made me more national platform like Mrs. Universe
empathetic toward other women who is the opportunity to learn from one
are quietly working through their own another, build friendships across bor-
struggles while pursuing their dreams. ders, and recognize that despite our
Q4. Pageants today increasing- different backgrounds, women share
ly emphasize purpose, advocacy, and many of the same aspirations and
leadership alongside appearance. What challenges.
cause or message is closest to your heart, My goal is to represent America
and how do you hope to use this platform with grace, confidence, purpose, and
to amplify it? authenticity, and to leave the interna-
The message closest to my heart tional stage having created meaning-
is women’s empowerment through ful connections and a positive impact.
opportunity, education, confidence,
and representation, particularly for Q6. When you look beyond Mrs.
women and children who may not al- Universe 2026, what legacy do you want
ways have access to the same resourc- this chapter of your life to create, and
es or platforms. what would you like people to remember
Community service has always about your journey?
been important to me beyond pag- I hope people remember my jour-
eantry. I serve on the Board of Prag- ney not simply because of a crown, a
athi, a nonprofit focused on children’s film, an award, or a title, but because I
education and women’s empower- used every platform I received to cre-
ment. I have also supported organiza- ate something meaningful.
tions including Sewa USA, the Daya I want my daughters and other
Foundation, and Interfaith Ministries, young women watching my journey to
participating in initiatives ranging understand that they never have to fit
from food drives and support for vic- themselves into one box. You can be a
tims of domestic violence to providing mother and still pursue your dreams.
hygiene essentials to refugee women. You can build a successful corporate
I am also passionate about en- career and still follow a creative pas-
couraging young people and have sion. You can experience setbacks and
mentored children and helped raise still begin again. You can achieve per-
funds for underprivileged children. sonal success while also making time
My work in entertainment has to lift others.
made representation deeply personal If there is one message I want my
to me as well. Whether stepping into journey to leave behind, it is this:
mainstream Hollywood, appearing on Never allow someone else’s defi-
a fashion runway, working in media, or nition of who you should be to become
standing on an international pageant the limit of who you can become.
stage, I understand the importance of Mrs. Universe is an extraordi-
women seeing others break barriers nary chapter in my story, but I hope
and pursue paths they may not previ- its real legacy extends far beyond the
ously have imagined for themselves. competition. I want to continue using
I want to use the Mrs. Universe my voice and visibility to advocate
platform to remind women that their for women and children, strengthen
age, profession, family responsibili- representation, create opportunities
ties, background, or circumstances do contestants from around the world with grounds, experiences, and walks of for others, and encourage women to
not have to define the limits of their very different backgrounds and experi- life. My own journey—as a woman pursue dreams they may once have
dreams. ences. What does representing America who has built a career in technology believed were impossible.
To me, empowerment is not mean to you in that setting? while also pursuing acting, pageant- Ultimately, I want my journey to
simply telling someone to dream. It Representing America at Mrs. ry, media, philanthropy, and raising be remembered as one of resilience,
is helping create an environment in Universe 2026 is an incredible honor a family—reflects the freedom to purpose, courage, and giving back—a
which she has the confidence, resourc- and a responsibility I carry with great dream beyond one identity and create reminder that success becomes far
es, support, and opportunities to pur- pride. your own path. more meaningful when we use it to
sue those dreams. America is a country shaped by When I step onto the Mrs. Uni- inspire and create opportunities for
Q5. Colombo will bring together people from many different back- verse stage in Colombo, I will be others.

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