In a historic moment at the 72nd Miss Universe pageant, Erica Robin, the first-ever Miss Pakistan, made a powerful statement by donning a burkini during the swimsuit competition. The crowd in San Salvador, El Salvador, erupted in applause as Robin confidently walked the stage in her baby-pink burkini, a stark contrast to the metallic swimsuits with daring cutouts worn by other contestants.
Robin, who placed in the top 20, faced mixed reactions in her home country to her decision to compete in the pageant. In her Miss Universe bio, she expressed pride in standing up for her beliefs and values, despite facing criticism. As a representative of the Christian religious minority in Pakistan, comprising about 1% of the population, Robin emphasized her commitment to showcasing Pakistan’s rich culture and heritage.
“I’m most proud of standing up for what I believe in my life. Recently, right after I was announced as the new titleholder for Miss Universe Pakistan, I received some backlash from different sectors of the community, but I would like to stand up for what I believe in,” said Robin.
In a Voice for Change video submitted to the competition, Robin highlighted her advocacy for gender equality in the workplace and her volunteer work at the nonprofit Karachi Down Syndrome Program. Her participation in the pageant aimed to celebrate the success of women in Pakistan and challenge stereotypes.
Miss Pakistan Erica Robin wasn’t the only contestant making history at the Miss Universe competition. Jane Dipika Garrett from Miss Nepal became the first body-inclusive contestant, while Camila Avella from Miss Colombia marked a significant moment as the first married woman and mother to place in the competition since Miss Universe revised its rules in August 2022. Additionally, Marina Machete from Miss Portugal made history as the first transgender contestant to place in the top 20.
The diverse representation and groundbreaking moments at the Miss Universe 2023 pageant underscore the pageant’s commitment to inclusivity and challenging traditional beauty standards.
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