Sampada Ghimire: Dare to dream big

Miss Universe Nepal 2024 Sampada Ghimire is set to represent Nepal at the 73rd Miss Universe pageant in Mexico City. Ghimire, who is also a digital marketer, believes that everyone must dream and work for it. Shreya Shrestha of ApEx interviewed Ghimire about her journey and plans after winning the Miss Universe Nepal title.

Can you share a bit about your family and educational background?

I come from a family of five—my mom, dad, brother, sister, and me. My brother just finished his SEE and is now in college, and my sister lives in Australia. My family has always been supportive and never hesitated to meet my needs. Before starting my professional career, I studied management. Later, I shifted my focus to internships and jobs that sparked my interest in practical, hands-on work. Now, I work in digital marketing.

How much did your family encourage you to compete in Miss Universe Nepal 2024?

In my case, I was the one who really wanted to compete. Unlike some parents who push their children into pageants, I was self-motivated. It’s been a dream of mine to compete in Miss Universe, and my family and friends have been my biggest cheerleaders. They’ve always supported my choices and encouraged me throughout the process.

Your career in digital marketing is quite different from pageantry. How did you get interested in modeling and pageants?

Interestingly, when I was 15, I had a strong desire to start modeling. I practiced a lot and was really inspired by the idea of walking the runway. But over time, that dream faded, and I shifted my focus to a career in digital marketing. However, I believe fate brought me back to pageantry. The passion I had for modeling reemerged, this time through pageantry, and I feel like there's a bigger purpose for me to fulfill through this platform.

What was your reaction when you were announced as the winner?

I had been preparing for two years, participating in other events but never winning. I didn’t have high expectations for the finale, but a part of me thought there was a chance. When my name was announced, I was overwhelmed with gratitude. It felt like I had finally achieved a goal I’d been working so hard for, even though I couldn’t fully express how thankful and happy I felt at that moment.

How is your preparation going for representing Nepal in Mexico?

The preparation has been going smoothly since I was crowned. We’ve been focusing on branding, photo shoots, interviews, and designing outfits. My team has been incredibly supportive, and we’re working hard to represent Nepal in the best possible way. I’m also receiving training for public speaking and runway walking.

What are your future plans? Will you continue modeling, or return to digital marketing?

I'm still figuring that out. I trust the process and the outcome, whether I continue in modeling or go back to digital marketing. I’ve always enjoyed traveling, even before I started modeling, and I hope to be an active, visible representative of Miss Universe Nepal. I’m also passionate about child literacy and plan to work in that area, using my experience to make a positive impact.

What advice would you give to young girls?

I encourage everyone to dare to dream big and keep believing in their dreams. Many people are afraid to dream or doubt themselves, as I once did. But don’t be afraid to dream, and when you do, work tirelessly toward your goals. Even if things don’t go as planned, you’ll learn valuable lessons that will help you succeed in the future.