At just 22 years old, Garrett captured global attention by becoming the first plus-sized delegate in the competition’s history, breaking barriers in an industry often defined by conventional beauty standards.

She represented her country as Miss Universe Nepal, becoming a fan favorite not just for her appearance but also for her unwavering advocacy.

A Trailblazer on the Miss Universe Stage

A nursing student by profession, Garrett carried a powerful message of inclusivity, promoting body positivity and raising awareness about hormonal health, PCOS, and mental well-being.

However, after her groundbreaking run at Miss Universe 2023, Garrett opened up about the highs and lows of her experience. As the first plus-sized contestant to secure a spot in the top 20, her journey was filled with triumphs and challenges.

Following her exit from Miss Universe 2023, Garrett opened up about her struggles with self-esteem, her determination to inspire others, and the harsh criticism she faced along the way during a candid interview.

Garrett admitted that advancing to the top 20 was a pleasant surprise. Having once battled low self-esteem and eating disorders, she described the achievement as deeply validating. “I really did not expect to get that much applause on the stage or that much spotlight,” she explained.

Her moment on stage, surrounded by applause, was transformative not just for her but also for societal perceptions of beauty. “I came with a humble heart… but when I won on that stage, I got the loudest applause from the whole entire audience,” she said.

However, her presence also invited harsh criticism, as some online comments attacked her appearance. “Lol I have seen girls much prettier than her,” one person said. “Miss jumbo! Not miss universe,” another person wrote. A third remarked, “Really!! Can’t find anything good in you.”

According to Garrett, her struggles with weight were tied to a medical condition, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), which causes hormonal imbalances and makes it challenging to maintain a consistent weight. “So it’s very easy for us to gain weight. Even if we just look at a piece of cake, we can gain weight,” she explained.

Reflecting on her younger years, the South Asian beauty shared that her dream of becoming a model led to harmful behaviors as she struggled to fit into societal ideals.

“While I was growing up, I used to want to be a model as well, and I used to starve myself. I had a lot of eating disorders and mental health issues when I was a child because I wanted to be a model,” Garrett revealed.

However, Garrett eventually learned to love herself, saying, “So I had to really remove all of those messages that were coming from society as well as coming from my own mind. So I had to really brainwash myself again and accept who I am and love myself.”

Despite the criticism, Garrett remained committed to redefining beauty standards and promoting body positivity. “Body positivity for me basically stands for whatever body that you’re in. You accept it, you love yourself, you are embracing what you are, but you’re also going towards a healthy lifestyle,” she shared.

Her resilience left an indelible mark on the beauty industry, showing the world that real beauty transcends size and proving that authenticity always shines brightest.