The Miss Diva is a part of Femina Miss India pageant that primarily selected India's representatives to Miss Supranational and previously Miss Universe until 2023, one of the Big Four major international beauty pageants.[1][2][3]

Miss Diva
PredecessorI Am She - Miss Universe India
(2010 – 2012)
Femina Miss India
(1964 – 2009)
SuccessorMiss Universe India
Formation2013; 11 years ago (2013)
TypeBeauty pageant
HeadquartersMumbai
Location
Membership
Official language
English
Parent organization
Bennett Coleman and Company Ltd.

The reigning Miss Diva Universe is Shweta Sharda who was crowned by the outgoing titleholder Divita Rai. Sharda represented India at Miss Universe 2023, achieving a placement in the Top 20.

The reigning Miss Diva Supranational is Sonal Kukreja, who was crowned by Pragnya Ayyagari, Miss Supranational Asia 2023. Kukreja represented India at Miss Supranational 2024, securing a place among the Top 12 finalists.

History

Number of wins under
Miss Diva
Pageant Wins
Miss Universe 1
Miss Supranational 2
Miss Asia Pacific World 1
Miss Earth 0
Miss International 0

Following the relinquishment of the Miss Universe franchise by the Miss Universe Organization to Bennett, Coleman and Co., a distinct Miss Diva pageant was established to select India's representatives for Miss Universe. Previously, Femina Miss India designated its winner to compete at Miss Universe. However, in 2010, Tantra Entertainment Private Limited, in partnership with former Miss Universe and renowned Bollywood actress Sushmita Sen, launched a separate pageant, I Am She-Miss Universe India, to send Indian delegates to Miss Universe.

Following 2012, Sushmita Sen and Tantra Entertainment relinquished the Miss Universe license, prompting the Femina Miss India Organization to assume rights for Miss Diva 2013.[4][5]

The inaugural Miss Diva pageant took place on 5 September 2013, in Mumbai. Fourteen finalists, meticulously selected from across the nation, vied for the coveted crown at the grand finale. Manasi Moghe, hailing from Mumbai, was declared the first-ever "Miss Diva Universe 2013" by the esteemed Zeenat Aman, Miss Asia Pacific 1970, and a renowned Bollywood actress. Gurleen Grewal, representing Punjab, was crowned "Miss Diva International 2013" by Sahar Biniaz, Miss Universe Canada 2012. Finally, Srishti Rana from Faridabad received the title of "Miss Diva Asia Pacific World 2013" from Bollywood's celebrated actress, Raveena Tandon.[6][7][8]

In 2019, Liva Fluid Fashion secured the sponsorship rights for the Miss Diva pageant. The inaugural edition under their patronage was scheduled for 2020. As there was no pageant held in 2019, the Miss India Organization appointed Indian representatives for international competitions. Vartika Singh and Shefali Sood were selected to compete in Miss Universe 2019 and Miss Supranational 2019, respectively.[9][10]

In 2024, Miss Diva organization withdrew the license to the Miss Universe organization in 2024 because they felt the Miss Universe organization had changed and needed to address internal issues. The Miss Diva organization has stated they will return to the Miss Universe once the issues has been resolved.

After withdrawing the Miss Universe license, Miss Diva rebranded its 2024 edition as "LIVA Miss Diva 2.0." This revamped edition introduced two new titles: Miss Diva Content Creator and Miss Diva Fashion Designer. In keeping with tradition, the Miss Diva Supranational title continues to be awarded, as it has in previous editions.[11]

International pageants

Current Franchises
Membership Year
Miss Supranational 2013 – Present
Former Franchises
Membership Year
Miss Universe 2013 – 2023
Miss Earth 2014
Miss International 2013
Miss Asia Pacific World 2013

In 2013, Srishti Rana won Miss Asia Pacific World 2013 and became the second Indian to win the title. She was crowned by the outgoing titleholder Himangini Singh Yadu from India as well.[12][13] This gave India a back-to-back victory in the pageant. Rana is the first ever Miss Diva winner to win any international title.[14] In 2014, India again won the pageant, making it the only country to win any international pageant three years in a row.[15] (Many other countries such as South Africa have won consecutive pageant awards).

In 2014, Asha Bhat competed at the sixth edition of Miss Supranational and won the pageant.[16] Asha is the first Indian and second Asian to win the said pageant.[17] In 2016, Srinidhi Ramesh Shetty was sent to Miss Supranational in Krynica-Zdrój, Poland and she won the title of Miss Supranational 2016.[18] India is the first country to win Miss Supranational twice and both delegates were sent by Miss Diva.[19]

In 2021, Adline Quadros Castelino, Miss Diva Universe 2020 represented India at Miss Universe 2020, held in Hollywood, Florida, United States.[20] There, she placed as the 3rd runner-up, thus achieving India's highest placement in Miss Universe since Lara Dutta, who won the title in the year 2000. She also achieved India's 3rd runner-up position in Miss Universe after 55 years.[21]

In December 2021, Harnaaz Sandhu, Miss Diva Universe 2021 represented India at Miss Universe 2021, held in Eilat, Israel. She won the competition becoming India's 3rd Miss Universe.[citation needed]

Editions

Below is the complete list of Miss Diva editions.

Year Date Miss Diva Entrants Presenters Pageant venue Broadcaster
2013 5 September 2013 Manasi Moghe 14 Mantra, Vivan Bhatena Westin Mumbai Garden City, Mumbai Colors TV
2014 14 October 2014 Noyonita Lodh 15 Lara Dutta Zee Café, Zoom
2015 14 October 2015 Urvashi Rautela 16 Cyrus Sahukar Hotel Sahara Star, Mumbai Zee Café, Zoom, Romedy Now
2016 1 September 2016 Roshmitha Harimurthy 15 Lara Dutta, Vir Das Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Indoor Stadium, Mumbai Colors Infinity
2017 11 October 2017 Shraddha Shashidhar 15 Malaika Arora, Yudhishtir Urs Hotel Sahara Star, Mumbai
2018 31 August 2018 Nehal Chudasama 19 Sonakshi Sinha, Tiger Shroff National Sports Club of India, Mumbai
2019 26 September, 20219 Vartika Singh None (Direct appointment) Shamita Singha Rocky Star Cocktail Bar, Mumbai Official Social Media Handle
2020 22 February 2020 Adline Castelino 20 Aparshakti Khurana, Malaika Arora Yash Raj Studio, Mumbai MTV India, Zoom
2021 30 September 2021 Harnaaz Sandhu 12 Malaika Arora, Prakriti Kakar, Sukriti Kakar Hyatt Regency Hotel, Mumbai MTV India
2022 30 October 2022 Divita Rai None (Direct appointment) Sachin Kumbhar Famous Studios, Mumbai Voot
2023 27 August 2023 Shweta Sharda 16 Sachin Kumbhar, Supreet Bedi The LaLiT, Mumbai JioCinema
2024 December, 2024 TBA

Representatives at international pageants

  •   : Declared as Winner
  •   : Ended as runner-up or top 5/6 qualification
  •   : Ended as one of the Finlaist/Semi-finalists
  •   : Unplaced but given special award(s)

Miss Supranational

The Times Group acquired the rights to send India's representatives to Miss Supranational in 2013.[22] From the year 2016 to 2020, the first runner-up of Miss Diva is announced as Miss Supranational India.[23][24]

Year Delegate Age[α] Hometown Competition performance
Placements Special award(s)
2013 Vijaya Sharma 20 New Delhi Top 20
2014 Asha Bhat 22 Karnataka Miss Supranational 2014
2 Special Awards
    • Miss Talented
    • Top 5 – Miss Internet
2015 Aafreen Rachael Vaz 24 Karnataka Top 10
4 Special Awards
    • Miss Supranational - Asia and Oceania
    • 1st Runner Up – Miss Internet
    • Top 10 – Miss Supranational Top Model
    • Top 10 – Best National Costume
2016 Srinidhi Ramesh Shetty 24 Karnataka Miss Supranational 2016
2 Special Awards
    • Miss Supranational - Asia and Oceania
    • 3rd Runner-up – Miss Mobstar
2017 Peden Ongmu Namgyal 22 Sikkim Top 25
2 Special Awards
    • 2nd Runner-up – Miss Talent
    • 3rd Runner-up – Best in Swimsuit
2018 Aditi Hundia 21 Rajasthan Top 25
2019 Shefali Sood 24 Uttar Pradesh Top 25
1 Special Award
    • Top 10 – Miss Influencer
2021 Aavriti Choudhary 23 Madhya Pradesh Top 12
2022 Ritika Khatnani 20 Maharashtra Top 12
5 Special Awards
    • Miss Supranational Asia
    • Miss Photogenic
    • Top 3 – Miss Talent
    • Top 10 – Supra Influencer
    • Top 11 – Top Model
2023 Pragnya Ayyagari 21 Telangana Top 12
4 Special Awards
    • Miss Supranational Asia
    • Top 5 – Supra Chat
    • Top 7 – Miss Talent
    • Top 10 – Supra Fan-Vote
2024 Sonal Kukreja 26 Rajasthan Top 12
1 Special Award
    • Top 13 – Miss Influencer
2025 TBA

Note – Due to the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, no pageant held in 2020

Previous franchises

Below are the names of delegates and the international pageants whose franchise was previously owned by the Times Group. Femina Miss India/Miss Diva no longer selects India's representatives for the below listed pageants.

Miss Universe

Year Delegate Age[α] Hometown Competition performance
Placements Special award(s)
2013 Manasi Moghe 22 Maharashtra Top 10
2014 Noyonita Lodh 21 Karnataka Top 15
1 Special Award
    • Top 5 – Best National Costume
2015 Urvashi Rautela 21 Uttarakhand Unplaced
2016 Roshmitha Harimurthy 22 Karnataka Unplaced
2017 Shraddha Shashidhar 21 Tamil Nadu Unplaced
2018 Nehal Chudasama 22 Gujarat Unplaced
2019 Vartika Singh 26 Uttar Pradesh Top 20
2020 Adline Castelino 22 Karnataka 3rd Runner-up
2021 Harnaaz Sandhu 21 Punjab Miss Universe 2021
2022 Divita Rai 25 Karnataka Top 16
2023 Shweta Sharda 23 Punjab Top 20

Miss International

From 1991, The Times Group had the franchise for selecting India's representatives to Miss International. In 2013, Miss Diva runner-up was sent as India's delegate.[25][26]

Year Delegate Age[α] Hometown Competition performance
Placements Special award(s)
2013 Gurleen Grewal 21 Punjab Unplaced
1 Special Award
    • 1st Runner Up – Miss Internet

Miss Earth

Since the first edition of Miss Earth in 2001, to the year 2013, The Times Group selected India's representatives to the pageant. A runner-up of Miss Diva was sent to Miss Earth in the year 2014.[27]

Year Delegate Age[α] Hometown Competition performance
Placements Special award(s)
2014 Alankrita Sahai 20 New Delhi Unplaced
8 Special Awards
    •   – Miss Earth Pagudpud
    •   – Miss Hannah's Beach Resort Best in Casual Wear
    •   – Best Evening Gown
    •   – Miss Photogenic
    •   – Besuty for a Cause
    •   – Best in Swimsuit
    •   – Best National Costume
    • Top 10 – Miss Eco - Beauty

Miss Asia Pacific World

The Times Group selected representatives for this pageant in 2013 and 2014. Miss Diva 2013 runner-up, Srishti Rana won the title of Miss Asia Pacific World 2013.[28]

Year Delegate Age[α] Hometown Competition performance
Placements Special award(s)
2013 Srishti Rana 23 Maharashtra Miss Asia Pacific World 2013
1 Special Award
    • Best National Costume
      Miss Personality
      Miss Talent

Titleholders

Year Title Titleholder
2024 Miss Diva Supranational TBA
Miss Diva Fashion Designer TBA
Miss Diva Content Creator TBA
2023 Miss Universe India Shweta Sharda
Miss Supranational India Sonal Kukreja
Runner Up Trisha Shetty
2022 Miss Universe India Divita Rai
Miss Supranational India Pragnya Ayyagari
Miss Popular Choice Ojasvi Sharma
2021 Miss Universe India Harnaaz Sandhu
Miss Supranational India Ritika Khatnani
1st Runner Up Sonal Kukreja
2nd Runner Up Divita Rai
3rd Runner Up Tarini Kalingarayar
4th Runner Up Ankita Singh
2020 Miss Universe India Adline Castelino
Miss Supranational India Aavriti Choudhary
Runner Up Neha Jaiswal
2019 Miss Universe India Vartika Singh
Miss Supranational India Shefali Sood
2018 Miss Universe India Nehal Chudasama
Miss Supranational India Aditi Hundia
Runner-up Roshni Sheoran
2017 Miss Universe India Shraddha Shashidhar
Miss Supranational India Peden Ongmu Namgyal
Runner-up Apeksha Porwal
2016 Miss Universe India Roshmitha Harimurthy
Miss Supranational India Srinidhi Shetty
Runner-up Aaradhana Buragohain
2015 Miss Universe India Urvashi Rautela
1st Runner-up Natasha Assadi
2nd Runner-up Naveli Deshmukh
2014 Miss Universe India Noyonita Lodh
Miss Earth India Alankrita Sahai
Miss Supranational India Asha Bhat
2013 Miss Universe India Manasi Moghe
Miss International India Gurleen Grewal
Miss Asia Pacific World India Srishti Rana

Miss Diva Universe

Miss Diva Supranational

See also

References

  1. ^ "Yamaha Fascino Miss Universe India". EE Business. 2 July 2018.
  2. ^ "What are the differences between Miss Universe and Miss World". Narada News. 6 June 2016. Archived from the original on 11 December 2019. Retrieved 22 November 2017.
  3. ^ Saraswat Satpathy, Kriti (10 December 2018). "Make way for the Divas". Femina.
  4. ^ "Miss Diva 2013 Winners". The Times of India. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 16 June 2019.
  5. ^ "Miss Diva 2013: Will Manasi Moghe be the next Miss Universe". rediff.com. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  6. ^ "I represent a billion hopes: Gurleen Grewal". indiatims.com. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  7. ^ "India's Srishti Rana is the new Miss Asia Pacific World 2013". rediff.com. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  8. ^ "INDIA'S SRISHTI RANA CROWNED MISS ASIA PACIFIC WORLD 2013". indiatimes.com. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  9. ^ "A traditional homecoming for Miss Diva Universe 2019 Vartika Singh". The Times of India. 13 October 2019.
  10. ^ "Beauty Pageants Celebrate Women, Says Miss Diva Universe 2019 Vartika Singh". News18. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  11. ^ "The trailblazing women behind LIVA Miss Diva 2024: Meet the Mentors!". femina.in. Retrieved 23 October 2024.
  12. ^ "Srishti Rana of India was crowned Miss Asia Pacific World 2013". jagranjosh.com. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  13. ^ "Indian beauty Srishti Rana crowned Miss Asia Pacific World 2013". hindustantimes.com. Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  14. ^ "India's Srishti Rana crowned Miss Asia Pacific World 2016". indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  15. ^ "Swetha Raj – Miss India Australia 2014 wins Miss Asia Pacific Supertalent in Seoul". 24 February 2015. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  16. ^ "Asha Bhat crowned Miss Supranational 2014". indiatimes.com. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  17. ^ "Photos: Asha Bhat is the first Indian to win Miss Supranational 2014 title". Firstpost. Retrieved 2 March 2015.
  18. ^ Banerjee, Anindita (2 December 2017). "Srinidhi Shetty and Asha Bhat: Indians who bagged Miss Supranational crown in the past". Times Now. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  19. ^ "Srinidhi Shetty and Asha Bhat have been titled as Miss Supranational before". Dailyhunt News. 2 December 2017. Retrieved 23 December 2018.
  20. ^ "Miss Universe 2020: Miss Mexico Andrea Meza crowned as the winner, Miss India Adline Castelino finishes fourth". 17 May 2021.
  21. ^ "Miss India Adline Castelino bags Fourth Place at Miss Universe 2021". NDTV. 17 May 2021.
  22. ^ "India's Asha Bhat wins Miss Supranational 2014". First Post.
  23. ^ Sharadhaa, A (3 December 2016). "India's Srinidhi Shetty bags 'Miss Supranational 2016 crown". Khaleej Times.
  24. ^ "Mangaluru girl crowned Miss Supranational 2016". Times of India. 4 December 2016.
  25. ^ Miss Diva 2013: Backstage confessions by Gurleen Grewal, retrieved 27 April 2017
  26. ^ "Meet the new Miss Diva 2013". 6 September 2013.
  27. ^ "Alankrita Sahai is Miss Earth India 2014". The Times of India. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  28. ^ "News18.com: CNN-News18 Breaking News India, Latest News, Current News Headlines". News18. Archived from the original on 25 June 2012. Retrieved 18 February 2018.