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Now, the former underconfident teen is helping others do the same.
Dressing for date night is a little more fluid, which she chalks up to the cosmos.
Im really moody, Im Cancerian, she says.
Whatever informs her decision-making, the result is a series of head-turning looks.
There was so much body dysmorphia.
I left that conversation feeling so hopeful about the sisterhood I was able to witness, she recalls.
Im really looking forward to that again.
Are there any you particularly feel empowered by?
I love a good barely there naked dress with the illusion of a body silhouette.
Youve been wearing barely there trends since Miss World in 2000.
Is there anything you never wouldve worn back then that you have no problem wearing now?
When I was younger, there were so many things I wouldnt wear.
I was so self-conscious when I started.
I was a teenager.
There was so much body dysmorphia and just being underconfident.
Even if I was Miss World at that time thats what the world saw.
Im a lot more confident with my body and myself now than when I was starting.
You recentlyposted a story on Instagramabout your Miss World dress and how it wouldnt stay on even with tape.
Looking back, is there anything you would change about that look?
And maybe the eyebrows.
They were really Y2K.
Barely there eyebrows, thats what I had.
It was a look.
Thank God they grew out.
Whats your go-to beauty look to make you feel confident?
I love good skin.
When Im having a good skin day, anything I do on my face just feels better.
It could be a natural moment, it could be heavy makeup, it could be anything.
But when I have good skin, I feel healthy, I feel confident.
Who doesnt love great skin?
There is a trend of downsizing wardrobes these days.
If you had to pick a uniform for yourself, what would that look like?
That feels very edgy.
Thats my usual uniform.
Its very comfortable, very practical.
Its a toddler-friendly outfit and it looks chic at the same time.
You add a cool bag with it and youre good to go.
Youre mentoring a whole slew of women for Marshalls.
Who would you consider your mentor?
She is self-made, had multiple careers in her life, and was a working mother.
I find that very inspiring.
I love that you said your mom is your mentor.
Would you also want to be that foryour daughter, Malti?
Is there one empowerment lesson you want to teach her?
Its really important for girls to have a sense of self.
Our families mightraise us like that, but when you go out there, its tougher.
Its tough for girls in so many ways professionally, personally.
So you have to be resilient.
And who would you consider your style hero?
One of my favorite style icons of all time is Angelina Jolie.
Shes perfected that thing because her personality speaks so loudly and its who she is.
I look up to her a lot.
Rihanna is another one who has an impeccable and incredible sense of self-expression.
At what age did you find your own sense of style?
Every few years it changes.
I got to my most confident self after 35.
I knew myself much better.
Was there a particular turning point?
Its that amazing place, and that really gave me a sense of being.
Not a girl, not yet a woman a little Britney Spears moment.
When it comes to fashion, what do you consider the good stuff?
Fashion is so aspirational and access is limited.
What are you looking forward to this year for The Good Stuff Accelerator Program?
This interview was edited and condensed for clarity.
