Representing South Africa on an international stage was only part of Bhavna Nunthkumar’s mission at the Woman of the Universe 2026 pageant in South Korea.

She wanted young girls from minority communities to see that they, too, could belong there. Nunthkumar achieved that goal when she was crowned second princess in the Miss category, placing among the pageant’s top three contestants. “I felt really proud in that moment – I felt that I had made my people proud by placing on an international level,” Nunthkumar said. “A South African Indian minority woman placed in the top three of the Woman of the Universe International Pageant. That’s what I wanted. Now, everyone knows it can be done. Every young girl can see herself there and that was the win for me.”

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The achievement followed an intensive preparation process that required more than finding the right outfits and learning to walk confidently on stage. As the 2025 Supreme Queen International titleholder, Nunthkumar received support from the Supreme Queen Pageant Team, working with several modelling coaches to prepare for the competition. “I didn’t know modelling was so intense,” she said. “Having a plan for every situation gave me a lot of clarity and confidence.”

Although the preparation was demanding, she believes it helped her arrive in South Korea ready to compete. “I think the time spent on preparation was a lot, but well worth it as I went into the pageant confident.”

That confidence was not about measuring herself against the other contestants. Instead, Nunthkumar believed each delegate should be recognised for her own achievements and individuality. “I absolutely deserved to place because I did the work behind it,” Nunthkumar said. “For me, it wasn’t even about comparing to the other delegates because this is a competition of individuality. You’re being ranked on your own achievements.”

Despite being prepared to win a title, hearing her name announced as second princess still came as a surprise. “It took a few seconds to sink in that they called my name,” she recalled. South Korea, she added, had earned a special place in her heart, almost becoming a second home.

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Nunthkumar hopes to build on the platform the pageant has given her. “My goal since winning Ms Supreme Queen India was to be the face of opportunity for the minority community.

“Representing South Africa as a dark-skinned woman from the Indian community fulfilled that goal for me.”

For Nunthkumar, the international placement is not the end of the journey. She sees it as an opportunity to grow, find new ways to make a difference and encourage others to believe in what is possible. “Being my best self, finding the next path and leaving the world better than I found it,” Nunthkumar said.

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