I’m the first plus-size Miss Universe contestant – trolls labelled me a whale but I got the loudest applause in the competition

• Jane Dipika Garrett, 22, represented Nepal in Miss Universe pageant this month 
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The first plus-size woman to compete in Miss Universe has hit back at cruel trolls who labelled her a ‘whale’. 

Jane Dipika Garrett, 22, represented Nepal in the pageant, which took place in El Salvador earlier this month.

While walking out on stage, the beauty queen – who placed in the top 20 out of 90 contestants from around the world – celebrated the fact that she’s a ‘curvy woman who doesn’t follow certain beauty standards’.  

Speaking to Fox News, Jane said: ‘I got the loudest applause from the whole entire audience. 

‘And that felt so good because it was like a breakthrough moment for me and for society that they see something different, that they see real size beauty.’

Pictured: Jane Dipika Garrett, 22, represented Nepal in the Miss Universe pageant in El Salvador this month

Despite the warm reception she received from the audience, Jane was shocked by the amount of cruel comments she received online.

The contestant – who boasts 298,000 Instagram followers on Instagram – says trolls left comments calling her a ‘whale’ or saying that her body was ‘disgusting’.

Jane was also accused of ‘promoting obesity’ and told to ‘go to the gym’ by critics.  

Hitting back at the hateful comments, she added: ‘They don’t even know my story. They don’t even know what I’m going through.’ 

The star went on to explain how she has been diagnosed with polycystic ovary syndrome.

The condition – which affects one in three women in the UK – is when varies produce a higher amount of male sex hormones, which can result in weight gain, acne excess body hair and irregular periods.

As a result of this, Jane says she has gained weight recently – and joked that she can pile on a few pounds just by looking at a slice of cake. 

Describing how her self-esteemed plummeted, Jane said she had to ‘learn how to have a positive mindset’ again.

The contestant (pictured wearing her sash) says trolls left comments calling her a ‘whale’ or saying that her body was ‘disgusting’

Jane (pictured during the pageant) was accused of ‘promoting obesity’ and told to ‘go to the gym’ by cruel trolls

WHAT IS PCOS? 

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common condition that affects how a woman’s ovaries work.

The three main features of PCOS are:

• Irregular periods – which means the ovaries don’t regularly release eggs (ovulation). This can affect a woman’s ability to get pregnant.
• Excess androgen – high levels of ‘male hormones’ in the body, which may cause physical signs such as excess facial or body hair.
• Polycystic ovaries – the ovaries become enlarged and contain many fluid-filled sacs (follicles) which surround the eggs (it’s important to note that, despite the name, if you have PCOS you don’t actually have cysts).

On top of her recent weight gain, Jane says she also experiences fatigue and brain fogs as a result of her PCOS.

In order to lessen the daily side effects, Jane says she tries to lead a ‘low-stress lifestyle’ where possible.

This involves meditation, coming up with affirmations and eating a balanced diet. 

Ultimately, Jane says she’s determined to rise above the criticism – and says trolls’ negative comments are ‘their problem’. 

Growing up, the pageant contestant said she always wanted to model.

As Jane is ‘naturally big-boned’, she says would stave herself to try and look like models in campaigns.

What’s more, the star said her mental health suffered as she would compare herself to other girls in school who were ‘very thin’.

In the future, Jane says she wants to make her own clothing range for curvy women.

After finishing in the Top 20, Jane wrote on Instagram: ‘The screams! I’m so so so happy that I got so much support from millions of people! Thank you for the support.

‘Top 20 baby! Such an honor to reach a placement and represent millions of women around the world and my beautiful country Nepal!’

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