Miss Universe Singapore 2018: Hilary Rupawalla challenges conventional definitions of beauty
Hilary Rupawalla
Family Lawyer, 26
Miss Hilary Rupawalla is a family lawyer who deals with divorce proceedings and believes the law is the backbone of society.
The curvy 26-year-old is unapologetically tenacious.
Being of Chinese and Indian descent, she admits to looking different from her peers growing up and it used to be her greatest insecurity. But with a persistent attitude, she remains true to herself.
Her greatest hope is to have a world where girls and women are not constrained by what is defined as beautiful.
What cause do you want to champion in MUS 2018?
This is something close to my heart - that all young girls around the world are able to receive quality education, free from social stigmas and societal norms. To me, education is key in ending so many social issues and stigmas that women and young girls face every day.
It is not common to have a lawyer participate in a beauty pageant, so I would like to think having beauty and brains is what makes me stand out.
If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
I would love to go to the most secluded islands and beaches around the world, with white sand that contrasts against clear waters and palm trees. I love the sun and the sea, and to live an island life to get away from the people and hustle in Singapore.
What is the most interesting thing about yourself?
It is not common to have a lawyer participate in a beauty pageant, so I would like to think having beauty and brains is what makes me stand out.
What is the biggest disappointment in your life and how did you overcome it?
I have had many setbacks and failures. The one that made the greatest impact on me was when I did not do well in my A levels. I did not get the stellar, straight A results that one would expect from someone that went to Hwa Chong Institution.
To me, education is key in ending so many social issues and stigmas that women and young girls face every day.
That was hard for me to take in. I felt like a loser, like I hit rock bottom. However, the most refreshing thing about hitting rock bottom is that the only way is up. So I buckled down, worked hard and found a group of friends who were supportive - all while being away from my family for the first time. It was scary but I knew I had nothing to lose. A year and a half later, I found myself in law school in Britain.
This year's theme is The Beauty of Empowerment. What is the most empowering thing you have done in your life?
Loving myself and having the confidence to pursue all of my goals however wild they may seem. I hope that in me doing this, other people find the courage to break stereotypes, push boundaries and achieve their dreams.
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