Diana Omuoyo, a remarkable individual, has achieved significant milestones as Ms. New Zealand World Universal 2021 and Ms. World Universal 2022. Beyond her title, Diana is a multicultural and multi-lingual IT professional driven by a deep passion for promoting inclusion, equality, STEM education, and quality education overall.
Throughout her life, Diana has recognized the significance of community involvement and commitment as a source of purpose and belonging. She actively supports socio-economic causes on a global scale, serving as an ambassador for change and raising awareness on critical issues that affect societies worldwide.
Interestingly, Diana’s journey into the world of pageantry began with a suggestion from a friend. Intrigued by the idea, she considered it an opportunity to expand her philanthropic endeavors. Initially, she was surprised by the recommendation due to her lack of knowledge about the industry. However, she took it upon herself to conduct thorough research on pageantry, gaining a better understanding of how most platforms are rooted in community service and philanthropy.
When the chance to join the Ms. World Universal pageant presented itself, Diana made a resolute decision to participate. The alignment of the platform’s mission, vision, and values with her own goals and passions made the choice an easy one. From that point on, Diana’s journey in the pageant industry began, and it has become an integral part of her impactful work.
Sassy & Co magazine recently had the opportunity to interview Diana, delving into her remarkable journey within the pageant industry. The interview shed light on her experiences, motivations, and the transformative impact she has made on various communities.
Throughout the interview, Diana shared insights into her philanthropic efforts, emphasizing her dedication to promoting inclusion, equality, and quality education. Her passion for STEM education was also a focal point, as she recognizes its importance in empowering individuals and driving innovation in today’s world.
Diana’s accomplishments as Ms. New Zealand World Universal 2021 and Ms. World Universal 2022 reflect her unwavering commitment to making a positive change in the world. By leveraging her platform, she has amplified her voice, raised awareness on crucial issues, and inspired others to take action.
As Diana continues her journey, she remains dedicated to uplifting communities, driving positive change, and leaving a lasting impact on the lives of those she encounters. Her story is one of resilience, compassion, and a relentless pursuit of a more inclusive and equal world.
To learn more about Diana Omuoyo and her remarkable journey, read the full interview in Sassy & Co magazine. Stay tuned to witness the incredible work she continues to do as a beacon of inspiration and change in the pageant industry and beyond.
How has your experience as a beauty queen impacted your life?
Being fairly new to pageantry, I really had no idea what to expect on my Ms. World Universal journey and was looking forward to a year of learning, growth, connections, and community service.
The experiences and the connections I have made along the way have afforded me many opportunities to represent the crown, the World Universal organization, and various socio-economic causes here in Australia and globally. This has inherently greatly made my life richer and centered me in my vision as a changemaker.
Can you share some memorable moments from your reign as the beauty queen?
Some of the standout moments are ones that allowed me to venture into new territory and extend my core mission in advocacy.
I was able to continue my multi-year partnership with Team4Tech and attend the annual Impact Celebration in San Jose, CA. This was a great milestone because equality in Education is a critical global socio-economic cause that is essential in creating opportunities and affording everyone a fair chance of success. As a technologist, It is a privilege to leverage my skills in partnership with Team4Tech to impact under-resourced learners.
I also got appointed as the Women of Color Australia’s [WoCA] Inaugural Ambassador for the WoCMentorWoC program. This role provided a space to connect and share with other Women of Colour in Australia, which helped me learn how to navigate some of my own challenges and find healing.
I have also had several opportunities to network with local and global beauty queens by attending other pageant events. I also had fun participating in local fashion shows – showcasing Australia’s designers, connecting with the extended community to support local charities, and sharing my story and journey through various magazine features | covers | articles | and blogs.
What advice would you give to the new winner who is about to embark on her own journey?
The international crown is bigger and the limelight definitely brighter, and to win such a prestigious title is an honor and a huge responsibility. So my advice to my successor is to stand in your truth and ground yourself in your power – you will always win if you come from a place of authenticity.
Also, embrace every opportunity that comes your way and celebrate ALL your wins.
How do you feel about passing on the crown and title to a new beauty queen?
My predecessor illuminated the path for me, and it would be an absolute honour to pass on the torch. My life’s work does not end because I am passing on the title; it means that my successor gets to live out her dreams.
We are all part of a global World Universal family that will always support and cheer on one another. All the lessons, advice, and opportunities I have enjoyed this year have equipped me with what I need for the next chapter of my journey.
So my hope is that I leave a legacy that my successor will embrace and find inspiration to take her vision to the next level.
What were the biggest challenges you faced during your time as the reigning beauty queen?
Being a beauty queen has a lot of advantages and can also have its challenges. Flaws and errors are magnified because the limelight is brighter, and the responsibility as a spokesperson, role model, and community servant are constantly under scrutiny, which can be quite confronting.
I would have loved to support many more organizations, but It was very difficult to choose which worthy causes to promote. Some of the challenges with that were driven by the stigma that is still attached to beauty pageants. I found that I often needed to educate others on the crown, platform, and purpose to get buy-in or to shift some of the unfavourable perceptions.
How did you balance your personal life with your duties as a beauty queen?
As a delegate, it was extremely important for me to find the right platform – one that aligns with my core values and one that was an extension of my life goals. As Ms. World Universal, I was navigating an unfamiliar territory where few have walked.
It was sometimes difficult to say NO to some of the many great opportunities afforded to me. So in order to find the balance between a very demanding career, my personal life, hobbies, and the responsibilities of the crown, I needed to be very intentional about my choices and make sure that my physical and mental health took precedence over everything else.
What valuable lessons have you learned during your tenure as the beauty queen?
My biggest lesson was learning to celebrate being different and sharing my passions with other titleholders and the community. There is strength in numbers, and having the right team, community support, and platform is important. I learned the value of leveraging my networks, including social media, because collective voices are essential to make a difference.
Another powerful lesson was that authenticity wins every time – people can only connect with you if you are open and standing in your true light. While my reason for joining the World Universal family was never about winning a competition, I learned I needed to remind myself of and lean on my own strength.
Can you describe the impact and responsibilities that come with being a role model for others?
The role of a beauty queen is quite extensive and I needed to be open to constant learning and regularly check in with myself to ensure I was still aligned in pursuing my path.
As a role model, It is critical to retain independence in thought and stay grounded, which means embracing the challenges, having empathy and humility, and connecting with others.
Role models need to be able to articulate their message effectively, so knowing your purpose and having a well-defined plan is important. Learning from every interaction, building connections, and sharing are all part of the role.
What are your plans and aspirations after passing on the crown?
I have had a great platform to stand on, and when I look back at the impact I was able to make in a year, I am motivated to continue in my life’s work in advocating for a kinder, more inclusive world.
I also intend to keep pursuing my existing partnerships with local and global NGOs and expand my network to hopefully have a wider outreach for many years to come.
How do you think the experience of being a beauty queen will shape your future endeavors and career?
Historically, some of the beauty queens have moved on to pursue public-facing roles, becoming some of the popular change-makers. These title holders went on to achieve great things in their personal, professional, and philanthropic endeavors.
My vision for my future and my legacy is to be remembered as a selfless person, fearless in the pursuit of her dreams, a great friend, and someone who used her voice to influence positive change that impacted other people’s lives.
“Don’t let others tell you what you can’t do. Don’t let the limitations of others limit your vision. If you believe in yourself, you can achieve what you never thought possible.”