From working as an investment strategist and holding a black belt in Taekwondo to delivering a TEDx talk and running marathons, Deepmala Dhakal, Miss Nepal World 2026, defies conventional stereotypes.

In a candid conversation with the Post’s Jony Nepal and Rivash Rijal, she reflects on her pageantry journey, navigating public scrutiny, and bringing global visibility to Nepal.

What was your biggest inspiration to begin your pageantry journey?

I knew I wanted to participate even before I was born because of my mother, who was a contestant in the very first Miss Nepal in 1994. Growing up outside Nepal, I did not relate to figures in the local Chinese limelight in Hong Kong; they didn’t look or sound like me. But in pageantry, I saw young women who walked with grace, carried immense presence, and spoke with absolute authority. That level of confidence inspired me, and I realised pageantry was where I could find my role models and discover who I wanted to become.

What was your training like, and how did you navigate the transition from self-improvement to self-criticism?

Stepping into a completely new format this year brought a lot of self-doubt. I questioned whether I still fit the mould, especially with the pressure of representing the Non-Resident Nepali (NRN) community on a global stage. The turning point occurred two weeks into the competition during the sash ceremony. I randomly drew contestant number 17—the exact number my mother held during her pageant in 1994 as a participant in the first Miss Nepal event. That moment felt like destiny. The fear instantly dissipated, giving me the mental resilience and confidence to stop doubting myself and focus entirely on growth.

Social media amplifies your voice, but it also subjects you to constant public evaluation. How do you drive real-world change while protecting your mental space?

It comes down to perspective. We seek the spotlight not for personal fame, but to accelerate our advocacy work. I accepted early on that public comment would follow every photo and challenge. As a second-generation NRN representing Hong Kong in Nepal, social media allowed me to connect with the diaspora.

I even posted videos speaking Nepali—something I had been self-conscious about due to my accent. Embracing my language publicly helped me overcome fear; ownership over identity leaves less room for criticism.

Have you ever felt the need to prove that beauty, intellect, and physical strength can coexist?

Yes. I strongly dislike the phrase ‘beauty with brains’ because it implicitly suggests that beauty usually exists without intelligence. They are not mutually exclusive. People often question why pageant contestants need lessons on walking, posture, or speaking. Historically in South Asian societies, women were expected to make themselves smaller and take up less space. Pageantry teaches women to walk with their chests out, hold their chins high, and claim their space. It is a comprehensive platform demonstrating that women can excel across all domains simultaneously.

Take us back to the moment you were crowned. What went through your mind, and what was your interaction with your mother?

The crowning moment was intense. Three titles were being awarded, and six of us held hands. As Miss International and Miss Cosmo were announced, I realised there was only one crown left for the remaining four of us—it became an all-or-nothing moment. Everything flashed through my head: the tireless dedication of my team, makeup artists, walk trainers, and community members in Hong Kong who volunteered their time to groom me.

When my name was called, it was pure relief. Because of stage protocol, my mother couldn’t come up immediately, but we held eye contact from across the stage. Right after winning, she was in complete disbelief, but in that shared look, we were fully connected and living in the moment.

What does the Miss Nepal sisterhood mean to you?

Coming from Hong Kong’s competitive environment, I initially approached the pageant with a purely performance-oriented mindset. The sisterhood was the sweetest surprise. As a naturally competitive person, I initially didn’t understand that sentiment. But being up there, I felt the exact same way. Shifted from trying to be the best to being my best, I viewed my peers’ strengths as inspiration rather than competition. If Nepal wins on the global stage, we all win.

How do pageantry and change-making intersect for you, and what is your primary advocacy?

Pageantry acts as a multiplier. Advocating for a cause individually might reach a hundred people, but wearing a crown brings a platform that reaches thousands. My primary advocacy is cancer awareness, inspired by losing my 30-year-old cousin brother to end-stage colon cancer after early symptoms were overlooked. Cancer affects one in five people; raising awareness about warning signs and early detection is genuinely life-saving work. As a goodwill ambassador for Nepal Cancer Hospital, this remains my core commitment, crown or no crown.

What are your short-term and long-term goals moving forward?

Short-term, my focus is entirely on preparing for Miss World. My fellow titleholders and I are putting in every effort to represent Nepal with dignity and achieve international recognition.

Long term, I am in Nepal to stay. I have relocated my life here and will continue my work with the NRNA. Professionally, I plan to maintain my career in finance, while also aspiring toward diplomacy. Given my international upbringing, multilingual background, and cross-cultural experience, diplomacy is a long-standing goal.

What is your message to young people and aspiring participants?

Take that initial step. Many young girls harbour dreams of pageantry or other high ambitions, but goals evolve as we grow. Whatever your goal is, do not get in your own way or yield to external noise. Understand your value, build steady momentum, and pursue your ambitions with your eyes wide open.