I’m the first plus-size Miss Universe contestant – trolls call me a whale but that won’t stop me showing off my curves
PAGEANTS aren't exactly known to be inclusive of different body shapes, but perhaps the most famous one in the world has included the first ever plus-size contestant.
Jane Dipika Garrett, 22, represented Nepal in the Miss Universe pageant, which took place in El Salvador earlier this month.
The beauty queen placed in the top 20 out of 90 other women from across the globe, defying trolls who say she shouldn't be celebrated because of her size.
Despite the haters, Jane has also been cheered on by many and wasn't aware of the trolls until after the competition.
She told : "They don't even know my story. They don't even know what I'm going through."
"I got the loudest applause from the whole entire audience.
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"And that felt so good because it was like a breakthrough moment for me and for society that they see something different, that they see real size beauty," Jane added.
Most of the cruel comments were left on Jane's Instagram, where she boats over 298,000 followers.
Some called her a "whale" or said her body was "disgusting", meanwhile, others insisted she was "promoting obesity."
Jane revealed her weight has fluctuated over the years due to polycystic ovary syndrome.
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The condition can cause weight gain as well as acne, irregular periods, and excess hair and affects one in three women in the UK.
Jane said her self confidence nose-dived after her diagnosis, but she's since been learning to have a more "positive mindset" about it all.
The beauty contestant said she use to starve herself in a bid to look more like other models when she was younger.
Her mental health also plummeted as a teen as a result of comparing herself to thinner girls at school.
Now, Jane relies on meditation, positive affirmations and a balanced diet to keep the side effects of her PCOS to a minimum as well as keep her mental health in check.
As far as she's concerned mean comments and criticism from trolls are "their problem."
Jane thanked her supporters after she finished as a semifinalist: "The screams! I’m so so so happy that I got so much support from millions of people! Thank you for the support.
"Top 20 baby! Such an honor to reach a placement and represent millions of women around the world and my beautiful country Nepal," she wrote on Instagram.
