From Self-Doubt to Spotlight: Who Is Miss Universe India 2026 Kaziah Liz Mejo?

Not long ago, Kaziah Liz Mejo struggled with self-doubt, unable to share unfiltered photographs of herself. Today, she stands as Miss Universe India 2026, a 19-year-old law student from Kerala’s Mavelikkara region, representing India at the Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico. Her journey from self-doubt to victory is notable for its authenticity and resilience. Before her crowning, she had already built a strong pageant résumé, including finishing as first runner-up at Miss Teen International 2025 and winning Miss Universe Kerala in May 2026. She competed nationally after securing the state title, emerging victorious from 52 finalists, succeeding reigning titleholder Manika Vishwakarma. The judging panel included former Miss Universe Sushmita Sen, actor Urvashi Rautela, Miss Universe India 2024 Rhea Singha, and producer-environmentalist Pragya Kapoor. Kaziah’s win marks her transition into global stage preparation, where she will face international competition. Her story resonates because she openly discussed overcoming years of self-doubt through a 'fake it till you make it' mindset, focusing on confidence-building through communication, stage presence, and personality development. Unlike traditional pageant narratives, Kaziah balances academics with pageantry, emphasizing education alongside her modeling and pageantry pursuits. This reflects a new generation of Indian beauty queens who integrate academics, entrepreneurship, and advocacy. Her journey underscores the transformative power of self-belief and preparation.