Bully Victim-Turned Pageant Rep Tells
As a child, I was bullied for having body scars. Here I am representing Fiji, so never let people define who you are, work on yourself, be positive, and break negative societal stereotypes. Nancy Sharma Beauty pageant contestant
During her childhood days, Nancy Sharma was always being bullied and called names such as “Too Short” or “Fruit Cake” because of having body scars.
This year, Ms Sharma, 25, will be representing Fiji at the Miss Universal Petite 2024 in Tampa, Florida, U.S.A, from June 6 to 10.
Selection process
She was selected after applying through an online process, having prior pageant experience, good educational background and communication skills.
“They also require curriculum vitae (CV) since, as a representative, you will be competing with educated women such as lawyers, doctors, scientists, engineers, and the entrepreneurs who motivate today’s youths and bring positive change,” Ms Sharma said.
She claims many said she was not fit to represent Fiji based on her looks and height.
“This is a petite pageant for short women giving them opportunities that tall women are given and apart from just looking beautiful one has to be well-spoken and driven and well educated with being kind, passionate, and driven in life.
“Today’s youths are to pursue their aspirations and never get discouraged. Don’t be disheartened when people tell you that you are not good enough and overcome challenges since the sky is not the limit, the universe is infinite. Do get out of your comfort zone and explore the opportunities that life has to offer.”
She believes good looks are not primary and important in life, they are a person’s value, wisdom, knowledge, and their ability to adapt and be flexible.
“Be calm in life and humanity where a good heart and beautiful soul matter more than a beautiful
body. Beauty fades with time, however, it is our good deeds that we achieve and the positive change that we bring when alive that we as humans leave behind upon death. I believe in beauty, heart, and soul deep.
Pageant background
Ms Sharma was part of the Vodafone Tebara Carnival in 2022 where she was crowned Miss Charity and 1st runner-up.
She also participated in the Miss India Worldwide Fiji and was Miss Professional in 2022.
“Pageantry is not a career, it is a lifestyle which gives young women and men opportunities to create healthy professional relationships and improve their networking skills, represent their country and advocate on things that they are passionate about allowing them to voice their opinions and also opening doors to the entertainment industry for those that are interested and have the talent to pursue such a career,” she said.
The artist
She thanked her mother for believing and supporting her. She attended Dillkusha Girls School and then Dilkusha Methodist High School. Ms Sharma has been an artist with the University of the South Pacific’s Oceania Centre under the Bluewave Collective since 2022.
She has done several group exhibitions, locally and internationally, where most of her works are based on women’s empowerment, social issues, and climate change.
She lists her hobbies as making clay sculptures, painting, Chinese calligraphy, dancing, reading, poetry, writing books, debating, and communicating, tasting food, and discovering flavours, learning new languages, making comics, and socialising.