Lara Dutta completes 25 years of winning Miss Universe; here's what she told Waheeda Rehman on ‘whether it is difficult to be a beautiful person'
Twenty-five years ago today, Lara Dutta was crowned Miss Universe 2000, following in the footsteps of Sushmita Sen, who won the pageant in 1994. During the contest, yesteryear actor Waheeda Rehman asked her, 'Is it really very difficult to be a beautiful person?' Lara's response won hearts. The video snippet of her response is currently going viral as she celebrates the silver jubilee of her win this year. Here's what Lara said.
'Ma'am, as someone else down this line, one of my contestants, said beauty lies within you. I think if you are a beautiful person from inside, if you have belief in yourself, if you trust yourself, and you have confidence and determination to fight the odds, the stamina to last forever, conviction from within, and a dream to be victorious, that makes you a beautiful person…and it's not that difficult.'
Reflecting on the model-actor's reply, Delnna Rrajesh, psychotherapist, healer, and life coach, said Lara wasn't talking about outer beauty, 'she talked about inner strength.'
'The kind of beauty that doesn't need a filter or applause. The kind that can't be dimmed by age, failure, or opinions,' added Delnna.
However, according to the expert, many women have never been taught this.
'Instead, they grow up believing their worth is tied to appearance. They are praised for being pretty, polished, and graceful, not for being resilient, wise, or grounded. Over time, beauty becomes pressure. They begin to fear ageing. They overcompensate. They strive always to appear 'together.' And slowly, they lose connection with who they are,' shared Delnna.
As a therapist, she recalls meeting women who have lived entire decades 'performing perfection'.
When your self-worth is tied to what fades, your confidence becomes fragile. 'But inner beauty—courage, conviction, grace under fire— doesn't age or expire. It grows stronger,' reflected Delnna.
However, she was quick to point out that it's also okay not to always be strong. 'It is okay to lean on others, allow yourself to break down, or take a backseat when needed. It's okay to cry and crumble when your heart wants to. I see marriages break down because the definition of inner beauty is resilience and silently supporting the husband. So a career woman who can't make rotis has been left and divorced because she lacks inner beauty,' mentioned Delnna.
A post shared by 🇮🇳BOLLYWOOD-INDIAN BEAUTY PAGEANTS🇮🇳 (@enchantressindia)
Build identity beyond appearance
Ask yourself, Who am I when no one is looking? Let that version of you lead.
Show up even when you don't look perfect
Don't wait to be 'ready.' Real presence beats polished image every time.
Redefine compliments
Instead of saying, 'You look good for your age,' try, 'You carry so much depth and power.' Let's stop tying beauty to youth and start tying it to character.
Honour your lived experience
Your growth, pain, and personal evolution shape your radiance, shared Delnna. Never apologise for what you've lived through. 'It is difficult to be beautiful, and the expectation is a burden for many women. The least we can do is to release them from that pressure. NO—you don't need to be beautiful inside or out. You're fine with whatever and whoever you are,' expressed Delnna.
Lara's words remind us that real beauty is not something to chase. 'It is something to build from within. So no, it's not difficult to be a beautiful person. It isn't easy when standards outside of you define beauty. But when beauty is defined by your beliefs, courage, and compassion, it becomes untouchable,' said Delnna.
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