Morris Plains, New Jersey native UmaSofia Srivastava made history as the first Mexican-Indian contestant to be crowned Miss Teen USA in 2023.
Born on June 5, 2007, UmaSofia’s victory at the Miss New Jersey Teen USA pageant propelled her into the spotlight, where she continues to shine as a trailblazer in the pageantry world.
In addition to her pageant success, UmaSofia is passionate about giving back to her community.
She dedicates her free time to working with the Lotus Petal Foundation, an organization that focuses on providing education, proper nutrition, and healthcare to underprivileged children in India.
Her ultimate goal is to become a UN ambassador, using her platform to advocate for those in need.
UmaSofia’s linguistic talents are equally impressive, as she is fluent in four languages: English, Spanish, Hindi, and French.
Her ability to communicate in multiple languages inspired her to write and illustrate a children’s book titled The White Jaguar, where all four languages are incorporated into the story.
In a recent interview with Joy Sauce, UmaSofia reflected on her identity as a multilingual individual and the challenges of fitting into society’s beauty standards.
She emphasized the importance of open conversations about identity and self-confidence, especially for girls who may not conform to traditional norms.
On a personal note, UmaSofia’s Instagram suggests that she is in a relationship with a boy named Axel Martinez, with whom she attended prom. The couple’s coordinated outfits sparked admiration from fans, with UmaSofia playfully captioning their photo with a reference to Coldplay’s song “Yellow.”
As UmaSofia continues to make her mark in the pageant world and beyond, she joins a long line of extraordinary women who have shone on the international stage.
From Ruth Zakarian, the first-ever Miss Teen USA, to current titleholders like Sheynnis Palacios and Noelia Voigt, these women are inspirations and role models for aspiring beauty queens everywhere.
