Diary of a Dubai Beauty Queen: Behind the scenes of Miss Universe India 2025

Beauty queen Tasneem Raza chronicles her journey at Miss Universe India 2025. As the pageant concludes, she shares her personal reflections and thoughts on the experience.

As the Miss Universe India 2025 competition draws to its final days, everything has shifted gears. The energy is different now—more intense, more demanding, and undeniably more real. What began as an exciting journey of discovery has transformed into a true test of who we are, not just as contestants, but as women learning to hold our ground under pressure.

The long days, the short nights, the relentless schedule—it pushes each of us in ways we didn’t quite anticipate. Some girls thrive under the pace, glowing even when they’ve had barely a wink of sleep. Others stumble under the weight of exhaustion and expectations. That, I suppose, is part of the journey. This isn’t just about beauty… it’s about resilience, discipline, and strength on every level - physical, mental, emotional, spiritual.

In these final days, our focus has sharpened on preparing for the preliminaries and the grand finale. The training is intense—every detail matters, from the way we walk to the way we carry ourselves in those crucial moments. Sadly, a few of my fellow contestants have had to step away for reasons ranging from family obligations to professional commitments, and even differences with contractual terms. It wasn’t easy to see them go. But the way they exited—with dignity, heads held high—was its own quiet reminder of the kind of courage this platform demands.

Often, the outside world doesn’t see what really goes on behind the curtains. Pageants are sometimes unfairly dismissed as superficial, but the truth is: this is hard work. If you want to stand on an international stage representing your country, you must be ready to give it your all. That means sacrifice, stamina, and an inner fire that carries you through the fatigue and the fear. And yes, it means showing up every single day with strength—inside and out.

For me, one of the highlights of this last week has been the preliminaries. It was my very first time walking on the Miss Universe India stage, competing in both swimsuit and evening gown rounds. My only mindset that evening was gratitude. Gratitude for the chance to be here, gratitude for this once-in-a-lifetime experience, gratitude to stand proudly as a 42-year-old mother of two among this sisterhood of phenomenal women. That gratitude turned into grace, and that grace turned into confidence. I walked off that stage knowing I had truly owned it—and that’s a feeling I will carry with me forever.

Now, the finale awaits. The rehearsals are grueling, but my heart is full. This journey has been one of the most beautiful experiences of my life. For once, I haven’t been a wife, a mother, or a daughter. I’ve simply been me. And that, in itself, is a gift I’ll treasure.

To stand here among now 48 incredible women, chosen from millions who dream of being here, is nothing short of a privilege and a miracle. No matter the outcome, this month has carved unforgettable memories into my soul. This is more than a competition. It is a celebration of courage, of individuality, and of the woman I am becoming.