Roma Riyaz on Criticism: “Weight and Skin Tone Don’t Matter”

Roma Riyaz, crowned Miss Universe Pakistan 2025, has opened up about her journey to the national title and her resilient mindset towards facing public criticism, particularly about her weight and skin tone.

The 25-year-old winner described the intense selection process, which whittled down 51 shortlisted candidates to a final six who competed in the Maldives. She explained that the national pageant meticulously follows the Miss Universe format, judging contestants’ attitudes, performance in Q/A sessions, and overall presentation over a week.

When asked if her win was due to hard work or luck, Roma Riyaz gave a balanced perspective. “I worked very hard, but everyone in the competition works hard. Ultimately, I believe this victory was written in my destiny,” she stated. Following her national win, she represented Pakistan at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand on November 21.

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Addressing the criticism she has faced, especially online, Roma Riyaz showed remarkable poise. She stated that such comments do not affect her, emphasizing her strong will and good intentions. Her message to young girls is to learn that comments on social media should not impact their self-worth.

Responding directly to remarks about her complexion and weight, she affirmed her self-confidence: “I am happy the way I am. Every girl is beautiful, and no one needs to change anything about themselves.”

FAQs About Roma Riyaz’s Statements

1. How does Roma Riyaz deal with criticism about her looks?
She says it does not affect her. She believes in her own goals and strength, and advises young girls not to let social media comments impact their self-esteem.

2. What did Roma Riyaz say about winning Miss Universe Pakistan?
She acknowledged her hard work but also attributed her success to luck or destiny, noting that all finalists worked equally hard.

3. What was the selection process for Miss Universe Pakistan?
It involved a long interview process, shortlisting from 51 to 20 to 6 finalists, and a final competition in the Maldives following the full Miss Universe format.

4. What is her message about beauty standards?
She believes every girl is beautiful and there is no need to change oneself based on others’ opinions about weight or skin color.