She challenges colourism and body-shaming, calling out deep-seated prejudice in South Asian beauty norms
What Roma Riaz Said
- Roma Riaz, Miss Universe Pakistan 2025, spoke out bravely in an Instagram reel, responding to criticism about her skin tone and body.
- She declared, “I will not apologise for looking like my people,” emphasising that her appearance reflects her identity and heritage.
- Riaz pointed out how society continues to equate fairness with beauty and reminded people that celebrating only “fair” skin means forgetting where she came from.
- “I am Pakistani in my roots, in my values, and in every shade of my skin,” she asserted.
- She dedicated her response to young girls: “Any girl who has been labelled ‘too dark, too different or too bold’ represents Pakistan just as much as anyone else.”
Why This Matters
- Addressing Colourism: Riaz’s message confronts a long-standing issue in South Asia — the preference for lighter skin.
- Redefining Beauty: By claiming her identity and refusing to conform to narrow beauty standards, she inspires a broader, more inclusive vision of what “Pakistani beauty” can be.
- Cultural Confidence: She defended her choice of wardrobe too, calling a sari she wore “as Pakistani as the shalwar kameez,” underscoring her pride in her heritage.
- Role Model for Representation: As a dark-skinned woman on a global stage, Riaz’s response resonates with many who feel unseen or judged for their looks.
Context & Backlash
- Before her message, Riaz faced harsh trolling on social media: critics called her “too dark,” “not pretty enough,” and even “too heavy.”
- Some of these comments echo deep-rooted colourism in Pakistani society — where light skin often receives unwarranted praise, while darker tones are unfairly criticised.
- In her video, Riaz asked her critics to consider the greater damage of these toxic standards, especially for young women who may feel pressured to change themselves.
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