Your physical appearance does not define what you can achieve in life, says Miss Stop and Shop Supermarket Nancy Sharma.
The 23-year-old is among seven contestants vying for the Miss Tebara title at the upcoming 2022 Vodafone Tebara Carnival that kicks off at Syria Park in Nausori this Saturday.
Ms Sharma said there were times in her life when she found it difficult to accept who she was.
“I’ve always been told that I do not look like a queen or what an ideal woman should look like based on my physical appearance,” she said.
“I have also been bullied because of my physical appearance and through this platform, I want to show that there are opportunities for short people like me and advocate on issues that matter.”
Ms Sharma said she would use the platform to advocate the importance of promoting and accepting healthy beauty standards in society.
“There is this stereotype that people that are short do not have a place in the beauty industry or cannot do certain things but I believe that beauty is not about physical appearance, rather it is from the heart and soul of a person.
“We should appreciate people based on their skills, qualifications, what they have and what they bring to the table rather than their physical features.”
She acknowledged the support rendered by her friends, sponsors and family members.
“I strongly believe that people should learn to love, embrace and accept themselves for who they are and only then they can respect themselves and the society will also respect them.”
