Talking to the Queen

FROM ISSUE # 201 (September 2012) | IN THIS ISSUE
	REFER TO FRIEND		PRINT THIS ARTICLE

Miss Nepal 2011 Malina Joshi became an immediate target for criticism and backlash when she was crowned. While a range of flaws were pointed out, most were directed towards her not so "perfect body." In a year, Malina has left those critics chewing their words. Standing tall at 5 ft 6inches, Malina weighs 56kgs and today, looks her personal best. WAVE spoke to her about staying fit and how important fitness is in our lives

Photos: Swaroop Ranjit
Model: Malina Joshi
Make- Up & Hair: Sakil Kunwar
Outfits: Nilima's Studio Of Fashion

WAVE- You have had a noticeable physical transformation since being crowned Miss Nepal 2011. What is the secret behind your fit body?
Malina- I just lost 5 kgs but I think it showed. Well, I turned to vegetarianism. Going from being a total non-vegetarian to vegetarian worked for me. A little bit of workout and it's amazing what pressure can do to you.

W-  Do you work out regularly? What is your fitness regime like?
M- Yes, I do. Actually I try to be as regular as I can with my work out. I work out every day for at least 1 and half hours. Be it cardio, aerobics, physical or weights. But Cardio is most preferable.

W- How has changing your body structure brought a shift in your mindset?
M- If your body is fit, you feel confident about yourself. You can carry yourself in a better way. Same thing happened to me as well.

W- For most of us, working out and sticking to a strict diet takes a herculean effort. What keeps you going?
M- Well, I also fall under the "most of us" category. I am a very big foodie but of course after coming in to this industry you have to maintain yourself. As I have become a public figure I should care more about myself and on top of that I have had enough shares of criticisms to last a life time.

W- You mentioned that to achieve a more desirable body, you had to give up on eating non-vegetarian food which you loved. Do you think it was worth it?
M- 100 percent. Turning into vegetarian is beneficial for everyone but especially to those who are meat lovers. Because when you remove meat from your diet, you are left with fewer options. Having meat makes your body heavy. I feel a lot lighter when I eat vegetarian food.

W- Has the way people behave towards you changed after you changed the way you looked?
M-Yes, to some extent. When I was crowned I was looking the worst that I could. But now when people see me in real they see the real me.

W- Who has been your biggest support system?
M-  My  brother, Suraj Joshi.

W- Do you think in today's time and age, physical beauty outweighs a person's inner beauty and personality?
M-Not in all sectors but may be yes in few. Who doesn't love to be called beautiful but yes being called as a good human being with a very bold personality is definitely an achievement. I am not sure about inner beauty but personality is a must in almost every sector.

W- Finally, a message to young girls who are all struggling to fit in and conform to the standard of beauty set by glamour magazines and media.
M- Well, if the standards are set then work hard, but always feel beautiful the way you are. You can always struggle to be better than yesterday, but don't compare yourself with someone else. You are perfect in your own ways. Embrace yourself, love yourself.

Malina In a Word
1. Favourite accessory?
Earring
2. Favourite colour?
Red
3. Favourite Designer
Subexya Bhadel
4. What do you wear when you are down?
A t-shirt and a pair of jeans
5. When you are feeling pretty?
A pretty dress with a very light makeup
6. Worst fashion moments?
Miss Nepal 2011
7. Celebrity crush?
Ronan Keating
8. On your wish list?
Htc one v and a Mac Book
9. Your perfume?
Touch, Davidoff Cool Water, RM shalis (pink), Jeane Arthes
10. Favourite author?
Not a reader, but yes to Chetan Bhagat
11. Your sense of style?
Whatever makes me feel beautiful
12. Your dream holiday?
Rome
13. Favourite drink
Don't laugh but it's simply sprite with lemon slice in it. Perfect for me.
14. Food?
Rajma rice and continental food