"You don’t have to fit in to shine. You don’t have to be perfect to be powerful. The most beautiful story you’ll ever tell… is the one you write for yourself."
I come from a background where petite women and everyday faces aren’t often seen as “pageant material,” but I wanted to change that narrative. My transformation from being short and stout to walking international ramps and winning a national title was driven by self-love. Once I started embracing who I truly was, there was no looking back.
What kept me motivated was my purpose: to represent women who feel unseen, to show that being real, relatable, and resilient is more powerful than perfection. My family’s support, my passion for everything I do from IT to modeling to volunteering kept me grounded and energized. And every time I looked in the mirror and told myself, “You are enough, just the way you are,” I believed it a little more.
Q. Many people struggle to find their passion—what advice would you give to someone trying to discover what truly drives them?
Passion isn’t always a loud spark. It is often a quiet pull toward something that makes you feel alive.
Q. Many people struggle to find their passion—what advice would you give to someone trying to discover what truly drives them?
Passion isn’t always a loud spark. It is often a quiet pull toward something that makes you feel alive.
My advice? Try everything that excites your curiosity, even a little. You won’t find passion by waiting for it to appear, you’ll discover it by doing. For me, it started as side hustles : dancing, hosting, fitness, fashion all things I loved outside my 9-to-5. Over time, those side hustles revealed my “why”: to inspire, represent, and uplift.
Also, don’t underestimate the power of your story. What you’ve overcome, what lights you up. I think that’s your path. And remember, passion doesn’t have to be one big thing. It’s often a beautiful mix of the things that bring you joy, challenge you, and give you purpose. Keep showing up for yourself, and your passion will show up too.
Q. What was the most memorable moment during the Mrs. Universe USA 2025 pageant that reaffirmed your belief in yourself?
The most memorable moment during the Mrs. Universe USA 2025 pageant was standing on that stage and hearing my name announced as the winner.
I had carried my culture, my voice, my petite frame, my story all the things I once thought made me “less” and turned them into strengths. I was so proud of myself.
Q. What message would you like to convey to women who feel overlooked or underestimated due to their size or appearance?
I had carried my culture, my voice, my petite frame, my story all the things I once thought made me “less” and turned them into strengths. I was so proud of myself.
Q. What message would you like to convey to women who feel overlooked or underestimated due to their size or appearance?
Start believing in yourself, start loving yourself just the way you are, stop taking validations from others, be fearless, show up, again and again no matter what life throws at you. And eventually the magic happens.
Q. Creativity often comes from unexpected places—can you share a surprising source of inspiration that has shaped your artistic or personal expression?
My creativity was born at home. My dad was one of the most naturally creative people. He never called himself an artist, but everything he did carried a quiet artistry.
And over the years, another surprising source of inspiration has been my own reflection in the mirror. In my toughest moments, I’d pause not just to see who I was, but to remember who I’ve become. That reflection reminded me of the little girl who once saw herself as short, fat, and ugly… and how that same girl is now creating her own kind of magic while staying grounded, original, and true to her roots.
Q. If your journey were a song or a poem, what would its title be, and what emotions or messages would you want it to convey?
If my journey were a song or a poem, its title would be: “Unwritten, Unshaken.”
It would tell the story of a woman who dared to rise not because the path was easy, but because she refused to be defined by limits, labels, or anyone else’s version of beauty or success.
The emotions? Resilience, self-love, power, and quiet rebellion.
The message? You don’t have to fit in to shine. You don’t have to be perfect to be powerful. And the most beautiful story you’ll ever tell… is the one you write for yourself.
Rashmy Nair is Mrs. Universe USA Petite 2025, a titleholder redefining beauty, strength, and representation on her own terms.
Originally from Kerala, India and now based in Minnesota, Rashmy is an IT professional, a fashion model, a motivational speaker, and a certified fitness instructor. She transformed her life from being short, stout and underestimated into a journey of bold self-love and unstoppable purpose.
Standing proudly at a petite height, she champions authenticity and body positivity, proving that power doesn’t come from fitting a mold, it comes from breaking it. Her work spans international runways (Milan FW, New York FW), community service, and women’s empowerment programs, where she uplifts others through her story of resilience, creativity, and cultural pride.
Off the stage, Rashmy is a wife, devoted mom, a dancer, a singer, and a firm believer that your reflection in the mirror is your greatest source of strength.
Bio
Originally from Kerala, India and now based in Minnesota, Rashmy is an IT professional, a fashion model, a motivational speaker, and a certified fitness instructor. She transformed her life from being short, stout and underestimated into a journey of bold self-love and unstoppable purpose.
Standing proudly at a petite height, she champions authenticity and body positivity, proving that power doesn’t come from fitting a mold, it comes from breaking it. Her work spans international runways (Milan FW, New York FW), community service, and women’s empowerment programs, where she uplifts others through her story of resilience, creativity, and cultural pride.
Off the stage, Rashmy is a wife, devoted mom, a dancer, a singer, and a firm believer that your reflection in the mirror is your greatest source of strength.
Interviewed By Irene Elina Eldhose
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