“As a young girl I used to visualise myself walking the ramp in a beauty pageant. I never gave up on that dream,”says Divya Vanissery who was crowned the third runner-up title at the Mrs India-She is India 2017. Divya was the only Malayali to participate in the event. Dressed impeccably in pink shirt and jeans, she looked every bit a pageant winner as she was getting ready for the interview. Divya strongly believes in holding one’s dream close. She says “With time, life changed, I got married, had kids but I held onto that dream. It was always there in my mind that if not ‘Miss’ there is always a chance for ‘Mrs’. Then one fine day I came across the registration for ‘Mrs India-She is India 2017’. This pageant is directly licensed under the Mrs Universe pageant.”
Divya was one among 29 contestants from across the country. “After two days of grooming sessions, the final leg of the pageant was held on May 27 in New Delhi. “When it comes to the National level, it really is not that easy. The top five will be crowned and only the winner will be able to participate in the Mrs Universe competition.” When asked about her next move after the pageant win, Divya a mother of three boys says “I have a fitness centre at Muvattupuzha and I am also a licensed Zumba instructor. Zumba is my passion. But maybe in the future, if I get modeling offers, I might think of giving it a shot.”
Talking about the backing her family gives her she says “I’ve been married to my husband Bobby for 14 years. My boys are in 8th,5th and 2nd standards respectively. They are on cloud nine now. They were very supportive and adjusting. They kept saying ‘Amma you go do it!’.” As someone who is keen on maintaining good health and a fit body,Divya’s health advice is very simple, “Just avoid sweets and fries, apart from that, eat everything; it’s just one life that you’ve got. This is what I tell my Zumba students as well.” She also adds “ Every young girl and women out there should never give up on their dreams, no matter what the circumstance. Always hold on to your dream and passion.”
