Nineteen-year-old law student and model Kesia Liz Mejo from Kerala makes history as the first Malayali to be crowned Miss Universe India 2026.
Kesia Liz Mejo makes history as Miss Universe India 2026 turning self doubt into confidence and dreams into reality.
Hailing from Mavelikkara in Alappuzha, Kesia outshone 52 contestants to claim the coveted title. With this remarkable achievement, she has become the first Malayali to win the Miss Universe India crown, adding a new chapter to Kerala’s moment of pride on the national stage.
Kesia is the daughter of Mejo Abraham and Suja Mejo, who hail from Mavelikkara in Alappuzha. Tamil Nadu’s Vaishnavi Ganesh was named the first runner-up, while Gujarat’s Anushree Satavlekar took home the second runner-up title. 
With the Miss Universe India 2026 crown now hers, Kesia is set to represent India at the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico this November. A law student and model, she has already made her mark on the international pageant stage, representing India at Miss Teen International and finishing as the first runner-up.
Kesia stepped into the world of pageantry in 2024 and has risen steadily ever since, winning the Miss Universe Kerala 2026 title before claiming the national crown. Her journey is about more than beauty and titles it is a story of resilience. Having faced colourism and struggles with self-confidence, Kesia overcame them with determination and self-belief, making her historic achievement even more meaningful.
From self-doubt to the global stage Kesia Liz Mejo’s journey of confidence, resilience and redefining beauty
Growing up in Abu Dhabi, Kesia spent much of her teenage years struggling with body image and the unrealistic beauty standards portrayed on social media. She was once deeply conscious of her darker skin and even found it difficult to take a photograph of herself without a filter.
For a while, she believed that fair skin was the standard of beauty and felt the need to hide parts of who she was. But with time, Kesia began to challenge those insecurities and redefine beauty on her own terms. She turned past failures and disappointments into lessons, gradually building the confidence to embrace her individuality and pursue bigger dreams.
Today, that journey of self-acceptance has taken her far beyond the insecurities she once faced. With courage, determination and a strong belief in herself, Kesia has transformed her struggles into strength and earned her place on the global stage proving that true beauty begins with the confidence to be yourself.
