Roma Riaz, Pakistan’s proud representative at this year’s Miss Universe pageant in Thailand, has delivered a message that’s fierce; she refuses to apologise for looking like her people. After facing online criticism from those claiming she doesn’t look “Pakistani enough,” Roma took to Instagram with a fiery response, reminding everyone that beauty isn’t confined to one shade or stereotype.
In her emotional reel, she called out the deep-rooted colourism that continues to haunt South Asian societies, the obsession with fairness that often overshadows the beauty of real, diverse Pakistani skin tones. “I am Pakistani in my roots, in my values, and in every shade of my skin,” she declared confidently, adding that her complexion mirrors the women “who built our homes, nurtured our families, and carried our nation in their hearts.”
Roma Riaz made it clear that she stands not just for herself, but for an entire generation of South Asian women who don’t fit into the rigid moulds of traditional beauty. “I represent Pakistan and I represent every girl who’s been told she’s too dark, too bold, or too different,” she said.
