LAHORE: As Pakistan’s representative at Miss Universe 2025, Roma Riaz has quickly become a global talking point not only for her poise and stage presence but also for the unapologetic way she has stood up to online trolls who mocked her skin tone and body shape.
Although she did not make it to the final lineup of the competition held in Thailand on Friday morning, Roma is using her moment in the spotlight to spark an important discussion about South Asian beauty standards. Her journey from an ordinary young woman to an international pageant contestant reflects her grit, confidence, and belief in herself.
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Born in Lahore, Roma spent her childhood across Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and the UK, eventually settling in Manchester. She studied at Aquinas College and then at Manchester Metropolitan University, where she earned a degree in business and marketing.
In her professional life, she has worked at Boohoo as a merchandising administrative assistant and assistant merchandiser. She is currently employed as an assistant merchandiser at JD Sports Fashion, a major UK sports retailer.
Miss Universe Pakistan 2025 was the first beauty contest she ever competed in, making her rapid rise all the more impressive.
Advocacy and mission as Miss Universe Pakistan:
Roma has consistently dedicated her voice and platform to causes close to her heart: empowering women, promoting education, reshaping Pakistan’s global image, and rejecting old, rigid beauty ideals.
Her goal is to question the long-standing definitions of beauty that have influenced South Asia for decades.
Response to trolls with dignity and strength:
Roma recently went viral after she addressed social media users who labelled her “dark,” “heavy,” and “not pretty.” In an Instagram video, she delivered a powerful message that struck a chord across Pakistan and abroad. “My skin is the same colour as the soil of Pakistan,” she said.
Roma made it clear that she feels no shame and certainly no need to apologise or resembling the women of her homeland. “I am Pakistani in my roots, in my values, and in every shade of my skin,” she affirmed. She went on to add: “My skin tone mirrors the women who built our homes, raised our families, and carried this country in their hearts. I will not apologise for looking like my people.”
Her remarks pushed the conversation beyond personal criticism and toward the deeper, often unspoken issue of colourism that still shapes beauty norms across South Asia.
Challenging South Asian beauty norms:
Roma spoke openly about how colourism continues to influence ideas of beauty in the region. She pointed out that many young girls grow up believing harmful stereotypes that equate beauty with fairer skin or Eurocentric features.
“Colourism has taught us to celebrate fairness and forget where we come from,” she said. Roma positioned herself as part of a new generation of South Asian women unwilling to be restricted by outdated beauty boxes. She stressed that identity and beauty come in many forms not just one skin color, shape, or look.
Message of unity for Pakistan and beyond:
While responding to criticism, she also urged people to think about the image Pakistan presents to the world: “If you don’t have anything good to say, think about the image of our country.”
Her message extended to every young girl who has ever been called “too dark,” “too bold,” or simply “too different.” “You represent Pakistan just as much as anyone else,” she told them. Roma acknowledged that stepping onto the Miss Universe stage as a dark-skinned Pakistani woman comes with its own set of challenges but she embraces that responsibility with pride. “Change never comes without resistance, but every step forward opens a door for the next girl,” she said.
Support for Roma has poured in globally from Pakistan, India, Latin America, and many other regions. She says this outpouring of love reminds her that kindness, unity, and authenticity go far beyond borders. It is this global encouragement, she added, that keeps her motivated as she continues her Miss Universe 2025 journey.
