Who is Jane Dipika Garrett, model and first plus-size Miss Universe top 20 contestant?

The Miss Universe 2023 beauty pageant recently concluded. Miss Nicaragua Sheynnis Palacios was honoured with the title against competition from 83 other contenders. The ceremony was held in El Salvador's Gimnasio Nacional José Adolfo Pineda, located in San Salvador. However, the 72nd Miss Universe pageant has also made headlines owing to its relaxed rules when it came to accepting participation from married, divorced, separated, trans and plus-size women. A representative of this has been Jane Dipika Garrett, one among the 83 contenders for the title.

Who is Jane Dipika Garrett?

Jane Dipika Garrett is a 23-year old American-born Nepali model. She became the first plus-size woman to be crowned Miss Nepal earlier this year. 5 feet-7 inches tall and weighing 80 kgs, Garrett self-admittedly does not 'fit in' to stereotypical beauty standards - but that is her biggest strength. 

Jane Dipika Garrett made it to the top 20 at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant. This was a first when it came to a plus-size contestant making their way to the Miss Universe semi-finals. Jane has been a crowd favourite through the course of the competition owing to her compassionate message.

What is Jane Dipika Garrett's mission?

A nurse by profession, Jane Dipika Garrett's mission is to bring forth literacy regarding hormonal imbalances which can have a massive impact on mental health. Being afflicted with polycystic ovarian syndrome, Garrett has been vocal about her struggle with depression stemming from the same. 

She said, "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". Having countered body shaming and bullying at various stages in her life, Garrett has made it her mission draw attention to the debilitating beauty standards women are expected to adhere to. Her entry into the top 20 at this year's Miss Universe has been an encouraging indicator when it comes to succeeding in her mission.