She will carry India's hopes following previous Indian winners Sushmita Sen, Lara Dutta and Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu.

Back in 1994, Sushmita Sen became the first Indian to win the Miss Universe title. She was just 18 years old. Lara Dutta’s victory in 2000 marked India's second triumph at the global beauty pageant, while Harnaaz Kaur Sandhu brought the crown home again in 2021, nearly two decades later. Now, all eyes are on the newly crowned Miss Universe India 2026, Kaziah Liz Mejo. She will represent India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant, scheduled to be held in Puerto Rico in November.

"Irrespective of our age, we are all just little girls at heart," Kaziah shares in an exclusive interview with The Free Press Journal. The 19-year-old law student is the first contestant from Kerala to win the Miss Universe India title. She opens up about starting at such a young age, being inspired by her mother’s beauty pageant journey, and why she turns to God when things around her begin to fall apart.

You are the first beauty queen from Kerala to win the Miss Universe India title. It must be an incredibly proud moment for you.

I am on top of the world. I feel elated. It has been something that I have worked so immensely hard towards. I have always wanted to be the representative of Kerala and, of course, India. As for bringing the crown home, it is a huge responsibility, but I am glad to be the one to carry it.