Miss Pakistan Erica Robin made history at Miss Universe on Saturday. Courtesy of Miss Universe
- Miss Pakistan Erica Robin made a powerful statement during the Miss Universe pageant on Saturday.
- Robin wore a burkini in the beauty pageant’s swimsuit competition.
- She is the first woman to represent Pakistan in the Miss Universe pageant.
The 72nd Miss Universe pageant was full of historic firsts.
And this continued as the first Miss Pakistan made a statement in a baby pink burkini during the swimsuit competition.
The crowd in San Salvador, El Salvador roared with applause as Erica Robin began her walk across the Miss Universe stage on Saturday.
Robin, who made it to the top 20, made history as the first woman to represent Pakistan in the competition, although she said her decision to take part in the competition was met with mixed reactions from people in her country.
Erica Robin wore a burkini at the Miss Universe swimsuit competition. Courtesy of Miss Universe
The 24-year-old is a model and, according to her Miss Universe biography, is among the 1% of Christians in Pakistan.
“I am most proud of standing up for what I believe in my life. Recently, right after I was announced as the new Miss Universe Pakistan titleholder, I received some backlash from various sections of the community, but I would like to stand up for what I believe in,” Robin said in her bio.
“Despite this criticism, I was ready to face all the challenges that lay before me while maintaining my values as a young modern Pakistani woman, representing our rich culture and heritage and showing the world that Pakistan can celebrate the success of women “, added her.
Robin during the Miss Universe National Costume Contest. Hector Vivas/Getty Images
Robin uses her platform to advocate for gender equality in the workplace and she volunteers with the Karachi Down Syndrome charity.
Miss Pakistan wasn’t the only woman in the top 20 to make history at Miss Universe.
Robin is the first ever Miss Pakistan. Hector Vivas/Getty Images
Miss Nepal Jane Dipika Garrett was the first body-inclusive contestant to compete at Miss Universe and Miss Colombia Camila Avella was the first married woman and mother to place since Miss Universe changed its rules in August 2022. Miss Portugal Marina Machete was also the first transgender contestant to make it to the top 20.
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