Sushmita Singh recently won Miss India United continent 2022. She is going to represent India at Miss United Continents in Ecuador, this July! She has also been an International winner at Miss Teen world 2019… but believe it or not… It all started with a rejection.
FACE’s Managing Editor, Neha Sachar Mittal caught up with beauty to chat about her journey from Rejection to reign!
1)You have participated in and won two very prestigious international titles of Miss Teen World (Mundial) 2019, and Miss India United Continents in 2022 and you are going to represent India at Miss United Continents in Ecuador in July.
You have brought so much pride to your parents and the country but is it true that the first time you took to the ramp, you were rejected by the judges?
— “Yes, certainly it is very true!
At the initial stage, my teachers said that I wasn’t good enough to walk the ramp but I feel it’s always all about having a positive outlook in life and I had this when I was a 14-year-old kid. If not for those statements then I would’ve also not been at this level today. So, I’m grateful to my younger self who took all these positively and would also keenly suggest all the youngsters and teenagers who compare themselves so much on social media and let the people judge us the way they want to. But in fact, it’s our life and that’s how we want to be and what we want to achieve. So, when you know yourself to the fullest and you’re capable of achieving anything in this world, nothing can stop you and it’s always about breaking stereotypes and that’s how you become a legend!”
2) You started pretty young; I am sure it had its own set of challenges?
— “Of course, I did have a lot of challenges just like the other successful personalities.
Belonging to the Mumbai suburbs, 5 years back my city Kalyan didn’t have any concept about this industry, especially about pageants and modelling. The only place I’ve been very lucky is when the moment I told my parents, “I want to try my luck and give a shot in modelling or pageantry” they have been the pillars of support throughout and stood by me till today without taking the societal mocking, for which I will be always thankful to God.
And not just that, when you’re a teenager (who overthinks) there’s a lot of confusion and the set of questions which we keep asking ourselves throughout the journey but the answers would always come in a way, when you ask yourself.. are you happy? Is this what you want? And, if the answer is Yes! Then no obstacle or hurdle can stop you from getting where you want to be. So let me tell you, no dream is big or small, dreams are meant to be fulfilled and that’s what I believed in and will always do!”
3) I believe you were a tomboy growing up… it’s been quite a transition I would say? In today’s world where gender neutrality is becoming so common, do you think it really matters? Can beauty not be fluid?
— “Who said I am not the old Sushmita who was a tomboy? I’m still the old Sushmita but who’s now the better version of herself and I think from a tomboy to a beauty queen or to an actor it has been a great journey altogether. But it’s always about not forgetting your roots so if not for that Sushmita I would have lost my essence and the originality and my pace.
When we see today, the world being open and accepting about gender neutrality, it feels great and yes there are these other few people who have a different mindset but you should not hold on to it. It’s always about changing or breaking boundaries and stereotypes.
So, I feel that beauty is fluid, you should just accept the way you are, groom yourself and work hard for a better version of yourself and that’s how you make a difference!
And when I say, I was a tomboy and became a beauty queen… I don’t mention transforming into a queen from a tomboy but rather I’ll say, “The tomboy, who has worked hard and got better every day is what makes me different.” This is my essence. I want you to not leave your roots and the real essence but focus on you being better than what you were yesterday.”
5) Tell us about bagging “Nima Denzongpa” on Colors TV. What is your character like?
— “I love this question, it is really close to my heart.
As I’m into pageants and did a lot of things in sports but never thought of being an actor. It was my mom who has always been excited and pushing me each time, as she always wanted to be an actor and that’s what she was delightfully looking at in me.
Talking about how I made into the acting industry, starting with I wasn’t really a trained actor I’m here with all my general knowledge in the art field. So, I started giving one after the other audition to fulfil my mom’s dream. Then, on one unexpected day I got a call from the production offering Nima Denzongpa after trying my luck by giving many auditions and the character name is Siya, the elder daughter of Nima Denzongpa. She is very simple, sober, pure in heart, who never heard anyone or spoke loudly, Siya is full of grace.
This unexpected opportunity made me realise how much I love acting and even today when you ask me, acting will be one of my priorities, the whole serial and the character Siya will always have a very special place in my heart, as it helped me a lot in growing as a person.
Also, the love, respect and recognition I received from Siya are unbelievable and since this was my first acting project I’ve learnt so much like how to do it, when to do it and a lot of other things. Meanwhile, I’m also looking forward to what this industry brings-in to me.”
6) Your social media shows that you are passionate about fitness…what else does Sushmita Singh do when she is not busy winning beauty pageants?
— “Sushmita is the one who will be all over the place, who will try her hand at everything even if she knows nothing about it. Firstly fitness will always be in my heart… sharing with you some personal incidents, I had started gaining some unwanted weight. I wanted to feel good about myself and the 2021 new year was the time when I made a resolution and promised myself to dedicate a certain amount of time to feeding my body and soul correctly with things that I love. I don’t get tired, I can workout even at 3:00 am or else even twice a day because I feel good being in that space and it’s the same for everything I do. As I said and will always say, I love exploring. Apart from my show, you can see me as a writer, painter, dancer, athlete, sports enthusiast, you can see me giving inspirational talks and motivating people and all of it, just being the warrior!”
