Born on September 14, 1999, to a Christian family in Karachi, Erica stepped into the world of professional modelling in January 2020. She will represent Pakistan at the Miss Universe pageant to be held in El Salvador in November later this year
Chandigarh: Amidst mixed feeling, A 24-year-old Pakistani model has become the first-ever Miss Universe Pakistan 2023 and will represent Pakistan at the Miss Universe pageant to be held in El Salvador later this year.
Born on September 14, 1999, to a Christian family in Karachi, Erica stepped into the world of professional modelling in January 2020.
Best wishes started pouring in as news of her being crowned Miss Universe Pakistan came in, inspiriting many others like her in Pakistan.
For the first time in history, Pakistan will have a representative at the Miss Universe beauty pageant. 24-year-old Erica Robin, who has been crowned the first-ever ‘Miss Universe Pakistan’ on Thursday. September 14, in the Maldives,
Erica competed for the title against Hira Inam, 24, from Lahore, Jessica Wilson, 28 [Rawalpindi], Malyka Alvi, 19 [originally from Pakistan but representing Pennsylvania] and Sabrina Wasim, 26, from Punjab.
Sharing what this means to her, Erica wrote a small note to express her thoughts.
“I am honored and humbled to be the first ever Miss Universe Pakistan and I want to highlight the beauty of Pakistan. We have a beautiful culture that the media is not talking about. Pakistani people are very generous, kind and hospitable. On top of that, I would like to invite everyone to visit my country and try the most sumptuous Pakistani cuisines and explore our enchanting nature, our snow-capped mountains, our greeneries and our progressive landscapes,” wrote Erica, the new Miss Universe Pakistan 2022
Organized by Dubai’s Yugen Group, the inaugural Miss Universe Pakistan event showcased five participants, with Robin emerging as the undisputed winner.
Mixed Reactions Back Home
Erica’s victory, albeit monumental, was greeted with a mix of criticism and silence in her home country. Significant religious factions and political leaders voiced their concerns, questioning her representation of Pakistan.
Jamaat-e-Islami’s Senator Mushtaq Ahmad Khan strongly criticized the pageant, urging the caretaker Prime Minister to clarify the government’s stance.
Yet, Erica’s achievement wasn’t entirely overshadowed by the skeptics. Women activists and several influential figures rallied behind her. Rights activist Zohra Yusuf pointed out the pattern of targeting successful Pakistani women on international platforms, questioning why their achievements often face backlash.
Veteran journalist Mariana Baabar lauded Erica, emphasizing that every Pakistani has the right to represent their nation.
A Star in the Making
Erica Robin isn’t new to the spotlight. Born and raised in Karachi, she pursued her education at St. Patrick Girls High School. January 2020 marked the beginning of her modeling career.
Her recent victory took place on September 14, 2023, in the picturesque setting of Brennia Kottefaru in Raa Atoll, Maldives. With her eyes set on the Miss Universe 2023 title, she is slated to compete in San Salvador, El Salvador, come November 18.
The Road Ahead
Erica Robin’is determined to bring the spotlight to bear on Pakistan’s profound cultural beauty, often overshadowed in the media.
However, the looming question persists: whether the Pakistan’s government will endorse Erica’s representation, or will they distance themselves, treating her achievement as solely her own?
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