Roma Riaz, who is set to represent Pakistan at the Miss Universe 2025 pageant in Thailand, has responded firmly yet gracefully to online trolls questioning her appearance and identity. In a recently shared video, Riaz addressed the criticism with composure, calling out those who labelled her “fat,” “not pretty,” or “not Pakistani enough.”
Despite being targeted with harsh remarks about her body and skin tone, the model said her confidence remains intact. Riaz emphasised that she is proud of her heritage and appearance, adding that she refuses to apologise for looking like the women of her homeland. She also highlighted the persistent obsession with fair skin that still influences beauty standards across South Asia.
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“I am Pakistani in my roots, in my values, and in every shade of my skin,” she said in the video. “My skin is the same colour as the women who built our homes, our families, and carried our nation in their hearts.”
Riaz further stated that she represents a generation of South Asian women who break the restrictive beauty norms society tries to impose. What hurt her most, she noted, was that much of the criticism came from her own country. Switching to Urdu midway through the video, she urged people not to damage the image she is presenting globally. “Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but if you don’t have anything nice to say, please—for the sake of Pakistan’s reputation—don’t say anything.”
It is disheartening, she added, that someone working to highlight Pakistan’s beauty on international platforms must also battle hurtful stereotypes and colourist attitudes at home.
For centuries, beauty standards across the world have often favoured fair skin, leading to discrimination against women of colour. Riaz’s dignified rebuttal is a reminder of the ongoing need to challenge these outdated perceptions.