The pioneering plus-size contestant in Miss Universe faced outright hostility from some critics who labeled her a “whale.” This episode was covered by the Daily Mail in its report of the event.
Twenty-two-year-old Jane Deepika Garrett carried Nepal’s banner at the pageant, which took place in El Salvador in early November. Competing among ninety entrants from across the globe, she earned a place among the top twenty finalists. During her walk on stage, she spoke about embracing her appearance as a fuller-figured woman, saying she was a “bow-legged” individual who did not conform to traditional beauty benchmarks.
When the applause rose through the hall, she described the moment as unforgettable and transformative. “I received the loudest cheers in the room, and it felt truly beautiful. Coming forward was a turning point for me and for the community. People saw something different—beauty in a life-size body,” she noted after the competition.
Yet, despite the warm reception in that moment, she faced a flood of cruel remarks on a blog. The participant, who has built a substantial following on Instagram, faced comments accusing her of promoting obesity, calling her body “disgusting,” and urging her to “hit the gym.” These remarks reflected a harsher side of online discourse that can accompany public appearances by diverse bodies.
In response to the onslaught, she wrote that many who commented did not know her full story or the challenges she has navigated. Her statement underscored the difference between public perception and personal experience, and she urged others to consider the human behind the image.
Earlier reporting had suggested that a Russian contestant did not advance into the top twenty in Miss Universe 2023, highlighting the varied outcomes and the competitive nature of the event across multiple nationalities. This context helps illustrate the broader dynamics of international pageantry and the diverse expectations placed on competitors from around the world.