Uma Sofia Srivastava is the first Mexican-Indian Miss New Jersey Teen USA, and also the first Mexican-Indian Miss Teen USA. With hopes to become a UN ambassador, she works with the Lotus Petal Foundation to help underprivileged children in India receive a well-rounded education, proper nutrition, and healthcare. Uma Sofia also collected over 1,000 books for the Bridge of Books Foundation to donate to inner-city kids in New Jersey.

*Photography: @jessiepalumbo. Makeup: @angelicamuanj. Hair: @hairbyjessicaimburgia. Styling: @theginamellish, @ginamellishconsulting.*

She authored and illustrated her book, The White Jaguar, to inspire people of all ages to embrace what makes them unique. Throughout the book there are four languages: English, Spanish, Hindi, and French – all of which she speaks.

Uma Sofia is a pianist and runs her own blog, That’s Fan Behavior, where she writes about her experience as a woman of color and current events. UmaSofia is the co-founder of the Diversity & Inclusion campaign at her school, a Kind Campaign leader, and participates in Mock Trial and Model UN.

From making history to paving the way for other young people who dream of following in her footsteps, Uma Sofia shares insight into her beautiful journey into pageantry, her multicultural upbringing, the work she is doing as Miss Teen USA 2023, and more.

Tell us what inspired you to start your pageant journey.

Growing up, I was a huge bookworm who was always up for trying new things, coming from the girl who fenced for four years! I also loved learning new things at school, always taking the most challenging courses and getting involved in my school community through student government and the school newspaper. However, during my middle school years and my first year of highschool, I faced bullying that made me question my identity, especially my Mexican-Indian heritage that I had always thought made me unique. Growing up celebrating everything from Diwali, Dia de Los Muertos, to Christmas, my multicultural childhood is what has made me so open-minded, and it was a very difficult period of my life when I felt forced to shy away from it. Facing isolation in school caused a lot of anxiety for me, and even though I had always been a very outgoing child, it made me retreat inwards. So one day, I'm scrolling through instagram with my mom, and I saw an ad for Miss NJ Teen USA that said: "This could be you!" superimposed in big white letters over a picture of the current NJ titleholder. What caught my attention the most, was how the group of girls were all hugging the winner, the biggest smiles on all of their faces. I never quite had a girl-group like that, and ultimately the idea of sisterhood really drew me to compete.

Later I would find out how charity was a large part of being a titleholder, and growing up with charity being a large part of my life as well, I felt that the organization really aligned with my personal values. Naturally, with my love of learning, I gravitated towards helping underprivileged kids experience the same confidence that academics and books had given me during hard times. My family has been working with The Lotus Petal Foundation for many years now, which helps kids living in the slums of India receive proper nutrition, health, and schooling.

The first year I competed, I was only 14, but I placed 1st runner up. I remember I had felt so proud of myself, but I was still in the same toxic environment at school. I knew I had to make a change, so the following year, halfway through my sophomore year of highschool, I transferred schools. At first, I didn't know if I would compete again, but my dad was actually the one who encouraged me to compete a second time. This year, I realized that along with the importance of education, I would share the message of acceptance and inclusion that I needed when I was going through my hardest times. This past March, I had the honor of being crowned Miss NJ Teen USA, and now in October, Miss Teen USA! It's truly been a dream come true.

You made history as the first Mexican-Indian Miss New Jersey Teen USA. What emotions did you feel when you won? What does this accomplishment mean to you, your family, your team?

Being the first Mexican-Indian Miss NJ Teen USA, and now the first Miss Teen USA of that background, really proved to me that the American dream truly is possible. As the daughter of two immigrants, from countries on opposite poles of the world, I often think to myself, how lucky am I that the stars aligned the way they did, and that this life was meant for me. My parents' work ethic and love inspire me endlessly, always making the best of what they had and teaching me to always believe in myself. During my crowning moment and everyday, I wake up eternally grateful for the opportunity to share my story, and for my supportive family and friends that pageantry has brought to me. Especially my wonderful state directors Cindy Provost and Debby Miller, as well as my now best friend who coached me for Miss NJ Teen USA, Gina Mellish. I'm so blessed to have so much love in my life!

From Miss Teen New Jersey to now Miss Teen USA, how has the experience been? Any favorite moments?

It has been nothing short of incredible! Writing, illustrating, and publishing my book, The White Jaguar, has probably been one of my proudest moments, among becoming a Barnes and Nobles Best-seller after being crowned Miss Teen USA, and reading it for the first time to the kids from The Lotus Petal Foundation.

I also discovered the wonderful charity that is Bridges to Books, that donates books to underprivileged kids in NJ. Connecting with my Mexican heritage through events like the Hispanic Gala, held in the Natural History Museum that I visited at least a million times when I was little, and interviewing Mexican Consulate Mariana Diaz-Nagore as someone who wants to become a diplomat, have truly been eye-opening experiences. I think the best part of it all has been the amazing people I've met along the way!

Tell us about your platform as Miss Teen USA? How do you hope to use your platform for change?

One of the ways I have continued my advocacy for the importance of education and inclusion is through my quadrilingual book, The White Jaguar. The White Jaguar tells the story of Nieve, a baby jaguar who has been rescued from the jungle after a fire. After being separated from her parents, she soon begins to realize that she looks a bit different than the other jaguars. To find her way home, Nieve must embark on a journey for acceptance and most importantly, self love, all while making a few extraordinary friends along the way. Throughout the book, the four languages I grew up speaking - English, Spanish, Hindi, and French - are woven throughout, and I hope that The White Jaguar can continue to inspire people of all ages to embrace what makes them unique. I have also continued my work with both The Lotus Petal Foundation and The Bridges to Books foundation to make education more accessible, and I can promise there is a lot more excitement ahead!

What legacy would you like to leave behind after your reign? What do you hope to inspire in other girls hoping to one day achieve their dreams?

I hope that my reign proves that anything is possible - regardless of doubt and failure, in spite of, and because of our backgrounds and differences - as long as one's inner belief is strong. Nothing is more powerful than having belief in yourself.

For more of her journey, follow Uma Sofia @umasofias + @missteenusa

Order her book, The White Jaguar, here

Meet Miss Teen USA 2023, Uma Sofia

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Meet Miss Teen USA 2023, Uma Sofia

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