Winning the title of Miss Universe Kerala 2026 brought public recognition for 19-year-old Kaziah Liz Mejo, but she says her most meaningful success came long before the crown learning to believe in herself.
The law student from Mavelikkara in Kerala has opened up about her personal struggle with insecurity, revealing that she spent years lacking confidence and feeling uncomfortable with her appearance and personality.
In an interview with The New Indian Express, Kaziah said she once avoided unedited photographs and constantly doubted herself.
According to her, the transformation did not happen overnight. Instead, it was the result of years of effort focused on self-improvement, communication skills and personal development.
A key part of that journey, she said, was adopting the mindset of "fake it till you make it."
Kaziah explained that she began acting with confidence even when she did not fully feel it. Over time, that approach helped change how others saw her and eventually changed how she saw herself.
The young beauty queen said her interest in pageantry began after watching Harnaaz Sandhu win the Miss Universe title in 2021.
She recalled being inspired by India`s victory after a long gap and becoming curious about the pageant world for the first time.
Harnaaz`s win ended a 21-year wait for India at the international competition. Before her, India had produced two Miss Universe winners: Sushmita Sen and Lara Dutta.
Kaziah also challenged the common belief that beauty pageants focus only on physical appearance. She said pageantry helped her develop important life skills and discover her own voice.
According to her, the experience has taught her resilience, discipline and self-confidence while encouraging personal growth beyond the stage.
With the state title now secured, Kaziah is preparing for the next challenge in her journey. She is set to compete in the Miss Universe India contest and hopes to move one step closer to representing her country on the global stage.
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