The debut title-run for the official Miss Universe Nagaland beauty pageant is set to take place on June 10 at RCEMPA Jotsoma. The winning contestant will be representing Nagaland in the Miss Universe National Pageant.

The current Miss Universe India Rhea Singha who will be a guest judge for Miss Universe Nagaland arrived in Kohima on June 9.
Interacting with mediapersons at Hotel Vivor Kohima, the reigning Miss Universe India expressed her delight to be in Nagaland. Recounting her fond memories with Ruopfuzhano Whiso who is the Miss Universe India 4th Runners-up 2024, Singha expressed her appreciation for the beauty of the state and hoped that contestants from Nagaland this year would come very strong and prepared.

Looking forward to the competition to be held at RCEMPA, Singha cited that she is glad to know that Nagaland really supports pageantry. Emphasizing on expanding and growing pageantry in the state, Singha said that Miss Universe is not just a pageant but a platform that supports many causes.
“It (the beauty pageant) is also about tourism. It’s also about telling people and making people aware about where we are. And I think that is the most beautiful thing about pageantry,” she said.

Director Franchise Operations Miss Universe India, Amjad Khan said they started their journey in March where the first pageant was held at Uttar Pradesh. He informed that the title pageant in Nagaland is going to be the 22nd stage which the agency is covering.

Khan also mentioned that the association with the BASN has been a long-term one even prior to the franchisee, and he stated that there is high expectation from BASN.
He said the auditions for pageant being held in the state and not in metro cities mentioned it very easy now for the all the girls to participate.

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Replying to a query about her travel to Nagaland, Miss Universe India Singha said that having seen the beautiful scenery she was in complete awe.

Talking about her mantra behind easing the question and answer rounds and giving a message out to the contestants, Singha said being an extremely introverted and shy girl in the past, she took that as her strength used it in order to become as natural and that is what set her apart.

“People like listening when you’re real, when you’re raw, that’s what gave me the confidence,” she added, advising contestants not to have any apprehensions, but to be open.

Speaking about the misconception of pageantry and the actual reality of it, Singha highlighted that many people misunderstand what it stands for. She asserted that it really is about a platform to speak up about what is going on in and around and make the society a better place to live. Pageantry, according to her, is not about the outer appearance and the way somebody looks but having a voice for social impact.