Скачать или смотреть Miss Universe Meghalaya 2026 debuts historic regional auditions in Tura

In a first for the state-level beauty pageant, the organisers of Miss Universe Meghalaya and Miss Teen Meghalaya 2026 held a regional audition in Tura on Saturday, bringing the scouting process to the Garo Hills and expanding participation beyond Shillong.

The auditions took place at Cariz, Bonepa Atila, and drew 13 aspirants — five competing in the Miss category and eight in the Teen category.

The selection process featured two rounds. Contestants first appeared in a fitness-wear segment in white tank tops and denim shorts, followed by a personal interview round where they wore formal black bodycon dresses and interacted with the judges.

The judging panel included Garo Hills District Coordinator Nancy Sangma, State Director Brian N. Wallang, and the reigning Miss Universe Meghalaya 2025, Chaivalry Lartang. The panel assessed the contestants on their confidence, stage presence, and communication skills.

“People think pageantry is only about glitz and glamour, but they don’t realise what goes on behind the stage — behind the gowns and the accessories,” said Lartang. “It is about the hard work contestants put into their journey and how they present themselves on stage.”

Organisers said the decision to hold auditions in Tura was aimed at ensuring broader representation from across Meghalaya. Wallang noted that modern pageantry increasingly focuses on personality, leadership, and public speaking rather than conventional beauty standards.

During the interview round, contestants were asked to reflect on social issues. One participant highlighted the lack of self-confidence among local youth as a key challenge facing the region.

Wallang expressed satisfaction with the turnout in Tura, saying the confidence displayed by the participants reflected the growing interest in such platforms in the Garo Hills.

Following the Tura auditions, the pageant’s scouting tour will move to Jowai on March 10 and Shillong on March 14. Selected contestants will then enter an intensive grooming phase that will include fitness challenges, debates, and mentorship sessions to prepare them for the grand finale.