India's Shweta Sharda makes it to top 20, lags in top 10 at Miss Universe 2023

Shweta Sharda was born on May 24, 2000 in Chandigarh.

Shweta Sharda, India’s representative at the Miss Universe pageant, was named among the top 20 finalists for the swimsuit competition but did not qualify for the top 10. The Miss Universe pageant is currently being livestreamed from El Salvador.

The 23-year-old became eligible to take part in the coveted pageant after winning the Miss Diva Universe 2023 crown in August.

For the swimsuit round, Sharda wore a gold shiny swimsuit. In the preliminary round of the pageant, Sharda dazzled in a heavily embroidered gold outfit for her appearance at the National Costume Round. The elaborate piece was designed by Nidhi Yasha and also featured a beautiful headpiece.

"India’s National Costume designed by @nidhiyasha symbolises a new, resilient India, weathering storms and emerging powerful. It embodies diversity, integrity, strength, and resilience, showcased in an armoured goddess look. The power shoulders and engineered bodice highlight the feminine form’s gentle yet strong disposition," the caption read.

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Meanwhile, Sharda was born on May 24, 2000 in Chandigarh and was raised by a single mother. She moved to Mumbai at the age of 16 and ompleted her graduation from the Indira Gandhi National Open University in Delhi.

The model has participated in several dance reality shows such as Dance Deewane, Dance+ and Dance India Dance. Additionally, she also featured in Jhalak Dikhla Jaa as a choreographer. She has worked with some popular names such as Madhuri Dixit, Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif and Vaibhavi Merchant, among others.

Shweta Sharda has over 5 lakh Instagram followers and has featured opposite actor Shantanu Maheshwari in a music video for a song called "Mast Aankhein".

Meanwhile, the top three finalists of the Miss Universe pageant were Thailand, Australia and Nicaragua.