"From Cybersecurity to Crown: Mekhla’s Story of Power, Purpose & Pageantry"

Can you tell us bit about yourself? When and how did you get into modelling?

During my teenage years, I was constantly approached by modeling recruiters. However, being recent immigrants to US my priorities were education and employment to financially support to family. Culturally, modeling was not deemed as a respectful profession and my family’s expectation was to pursue a career within professional services. Hence, my attention was coached towards other white-collar professions. After working a successful career and having journeyed many personal and professional challenges, I explored platforms that displayed women empowerment with poise. I envisioned a stage that represented women like me demographically and professionally. A platform that was nonjudgmental, honored women for their courage, and afforded women to speak their truth. And that platform was the world of Pageantry! My journey in pageantry has fulfilled an absent desire that was left un-turned in my previous years. My advocacies and community support brings me joy and peace in knowing 'I made a difference'!

Who have been your biggest mentors in this industry and what is the best advice they have ever given you?

Every little girl is attracted to the world of Glitz and Glamor... and I was no different! Pageantry won my heart when Sushmita Sen won first Miss. Universe tittle for India in 1994. After her, inspiring women such as Lara Dutta, Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach, Andrea Meza, Harnaaz Sandhu, R’Bonney Gabriel, and Sheynnis Palacios, have all represented modern women of their era. These women are feminine with independent personalities and ability to speak their mind with intelligence and grace. These women broke away from traditional societal expectations and stereotypes affording women worldwide to dream bigger than life! These women deliver on their high personal values, speak with brilliance, and empathetic to humanity. Some of their philanthropic efforts have inspired women such as myself and demonstrated their determination towards progress in women history. Their leadership within confounds of women empowerment honors women of all nations before and after them!  

What are the bits you don’t like or find challenging?

Experiencing difficulties helps us become resilient and define who we are our belief system! 

I struggle with challenges from time to time and must prioritize my commitments. Currently my challenges are: 

3. My schedule: not enough time in a day to accomplish all that I desire.

2. Ethnic food: I'm a bigggggg foodie! I admire delicacies of all sorts...especially desserts!  Keeping up with my travels and health, I have to follow a restricted diet which most times does not allow me to enjoy exotic cuisines. But... I do have cheat days to indulge in my weakness! 

1. Desire to help: Being Human Rights Ambassador, I endorse and support many humanitarian programs. I'm constantly introduced to reputable humanitarian programs and assigned with prioritizing my commitment to currently active initiatives. I’m compassionate about helping others succeed and utilizing my crown with a purpose… however, I fall short as I am just One person and bound by limited time and my schedule.

What does beauty mean to you?

With evident impact of social media and accelerated movements towards women empowerment, value of beauty has progressively adapted to modern expectations! From the eras of submission, the reformed times benchmark a world where beauty is a spectrum rather than a lean perfection. Beauty is celebration of inclusive diversity encompassing all identities, authenticity, individuality, perseverance, and inner strength. This progressive movement embraces a wholistic approach to beauty with intelligence, wholistic health, and self-worth.

Having great skin for models is really important, What are your top three tips for keeping skin flawless?

3. Lots of water improves elasticity, reduces acne, and hydrates your body. Water flushes out toxins, skin retains moisture, and reduces wrinkles. 

2. Feed your body healthy organic food! This provides richer antioxidants, promotes collagen, and reduces inflammation. 

1. Laugh: Mental health and mental peace are imperative for an overall health. Laughing reduces stress... Laughter is the best medicine!

What was your career path into this job? Have you also worked outside the arts?

My encouragement into pageantry and modeling was that I felt there was an immense lack of representation for women like me. Traditional modeling platforms brace women in their younger years overlooking value and experience mature women bring into this field. Social construct did not allow for successfully career oriented women or single mothers to be associated with this journey. I did not get into modeling until later years of my life with coached lack of self-esteem, abuse, and hopeless. I was told, "You do not belong here", and that was motivation enough for me to build my own runway! It brings me tremendous joy, integrating the world of beauty and entertainment with a profession that supports my livelihood ... Cybersecurity! Yes, yes, yes.... I'm a nerd with Urkel glass... and I own it and love it! Beauty is 'Intelligence', Beauty is ‘Individuality’,  and Beauty is ‘Courage’, this notion continues to alarm the industry and has built a mammoth of a gap for women that are independent thinkers. I welcome you to join my journey in collaboration with Mrs. America Tourism Travel Foundation Inc, to lobby progressive opportunities for women in a global platform of pageantry.

Have you noticed any changes in the industry? If so, what?

The world of pageantry has taken leaps and bounds to where it stands today. The value of 'wearing a crown' extends beyond its material worth! Pageantry has significantly evolved over time. The focus has shifted from physical appearance and traditional marital status of women to emphasizing aptitude, talent, and grit. This evolution has helped transform social values inclusive of multifaceted representation to beauty and achievement. In this new era, I wear my 'Crown with a Purpose’ just like brave women before and after me have and will! 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

In the next 5 years, I will continue to expand my advocacies in partnership with The United Nation. My initiatives are health equality and equity, academic development for disabled, defeating hunger, and human trafficking prevention and post recovery care.  I’ve started reviewing several programs for endorsement that afford women platforms to showcase their courage, survival, and academia. While working on these efforts, I plan to travel and promote cultural initiatives and opportunities for women. I initiated my 5-year plan two week ago in collaboration with the Embassy of Grenada to the USA through ‘Project Accessibility’ – a project led by the First Lady at the Embassy.  This initiative, undertaken under the patronage of the Embassy, supports the collection of medical supplies and accessibility tool for persons with disabilities in Grenada.  This mission brings better quality of life, develops self-esteem, and provides means for fostering an inclusive society that participates in mutual respect for people with disability. "Project Accessibility" builds a culture to promote and support lifelong health equality and equity for those who are under privileged and lack medical necessities.  In collaborating with Mrs. America Tourism Travel Foundation Inc, I plan to extend my talent in world of pageantry and represent as Ms. Universe Official USA 2025 in Philippines.  This is a great opportunity to explore foreign humanitarian needs and assist in developmental programs for a healthier future for all.