Sarita Ram Menon is the owner/director of Amogh Financial Services Pty Ltd and she has received various recognitions for contributions to society due to her art-based activism. She has been featured in mainstream newspapers such as Daily Telegraph, Western Weekender, Deccan Chronicle, Indian Express, and The Hindu and they have published articles about her journey and success in the plus-size pageant world.
A trained classical dancer, and a plus-size model cum actor – Saritha has been highly praised for her runway walks, as well as for being a body-positive influencer who offers a blend of culture and fashion. She’s a woman of substance for the world to see.
She recently represented Australia in the Mrs. United Nations Pageant where she ended up being crowned as the Mrs. United Nations World 2019. She was proud to represent Australia where she competed against other “Mrs. contestants” from Asia, Europe, South East Asia, Africa, America, etc…
Apart from being Mrs. United Nations World, she has also won other titles such as Mrs. South Asia India, Mrs. Talented and Mrs. Vivacious at the Mrs. India Worldwide pageant, and she will be the only South Asian queen who will be representing Australia at the “Mrs. Globe Australia Curvé” pageant to be held in California (post Covid-19 travel bans).
She’s a body-positive influencer and a plus-size model who’s proud to be Australian and quite happy about the multiculturalism in Australia.
GEQ magazine recently caught up with Saritha to discuss her journey in the industry and here’s what went down:
How did you get into the pageant industry? How were you actually ‘discovered’?
Even though in this day and age, married and plus-size women are slowly becoming a trend, the fashion and modeling industry is still dominated by slim-fit women and this is why many curvy moms do not get enough chances to be recognized and appreciated. Hence I got inspired by many successful famous curvy models to strive for what I wanted to achieve and make my passion into an achievement of a lifetime.
What do you like most about being a beauty queen?
Pageants teach women to be active and give back to the community. All of the women who participate in pageants are women with intelligence. Competing in this pageant and holding this title makes me a beauty queen who is held to a higher standard in the public eye thus I can impact the community positively with my goodwill.
Downside to being a beauty queen?
To be fair, it can’t be easy to think on your feet while many are watching at you during various pageants so small mistakes do happen but never had any big blunders. But yes, I just want to keep improving, to keep getting better as a queen.
What has been the most memorable experience of being in the pageant industry so far?
To win that titles and have that crown on my head is a validation of my hard work. It’s like the judges thought I was worthy of the crown and those feelings are akin to winning anything that takes effort-exhilaration and pure joy..”I did it!”
Pageants have given me confidence, made me a better person, and helped me become recognized within my local town and countries also helped me make amazing connections around the world. Pageants are hard work but they are so worth it!
Who have been the most interesting people you’ve met so far?
I have met many famous and influential people throughout my runway shows and fund-raising events, to name a few: Mathew Hayden (Australian ex-cricketer), Barry O’Farrell (ex-premiere NSW and current Australian high commissioner to India, Julia Finn (MP), Jodi Mckay (Nsw labour leader), Julian Leeser (MP), Prue Car (MP), Sue Turner (Mrs. Universe Australia finalist) as well as many Bollywood celebrities.
What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while in the pageant industry. This can be about the industry or about yourself.
I learned to support and love the very girls I was competing against. I looked past all my fears and learned to accept criticism, carry myself and walk confidently. Actually, Your everyday life is a lot like a beauty pageant the experience is invaluable.
Working in an industry whose only emphasis is on the outside characteristics of a person, how have you stayed grounded?
I feel very confident in who I am and what I represent. I try to balance that confidence with a dose of humility. Grace and elegance, tact, and flexibility and be your best version. The best rule of thumb I have found is to be genuine.
Is your family supportive of you being in the pageant industry?
The support of each family member has likely been impacted me positively. being loved and them getting involved in my mental care benefits me so much. Winning previous pageants and titles was just because my family helped me to believe ‘don’t wait to lose weight or until your life is just perfect to make changes. Pursue your dreams right now!
What are your future plans? Inside pageantry or out of it.
I am due to become the face of a couple of plus-size clothing brands and I also modelled for the local fashion industry in Sydney. I’m also investing in women’s education and supporting victims of domestic violence. I also want to provide guidance with genuine love to all those plus-size moms who aspire to step into the pageantry world – I want to mentor them.
I want to continue the legacy of helping the needy and also convey this empowering message to all curvy girls and moms- “Feel confident enough to strut your stuff on stage and never let your size determine your swag.”
The ‘LIGHTNING FAST’ Round:
1. Last good movie I’ve seen: Godzilla Vs Kong.
2. What do you consider beautiful and why? Good Personality is beautiful as beauty fades after a certain time, but personality is forever.
3. What haven’t you done yet that you wish you could? Be a part of the army.
4. Complete this sentence: “If I had no fear, I’d…” have climbed Kilimanjaro during my Tanzania stay!
5. What is the one “flaw” you wouldn’t change about yourself? Being curvy, as I have to never worry about getting padded.
