Crowned Miss Glam International Goa 2026 at Shining Star, Crescy Fernandes discusses transforming self doubt, breaking beauty stereotypes, and staying true to herself throughout the pageant
VINIKA VISWAMBHARAN | NT BUZZ
A laboratory and a beauty pageant stage may seem worlds apart, but for Crescy Vianca Fernandes, both have become part of the same journey.
Currently pursuing a master’s degree in microbiology at PES College of Arts and Science, Ponda, the 22 year old never imagined she would one day wear a pageant crown. Yet on June 7, she was named Miss Glam International Goa 2026 and awarded the subtitle of Miss Gracious 2026 at the Shining Star pageant held at Goveia Grand Resort, Candolim.
As Fernandes stood on stage waiting for the final announcement, winning was not the thought occupying her mind. “There were so many beautiful and talented women standing there,” she recalls. “When my name was announced, I was honestly wondering, “Did I really win?’”
This is not Fernandes’ debut into the pageant world. She previously participated in a competition called The Stellar Show 7.0, an experience which left a lasting impact. “When I entered The Stellar Show 7.0, I struggled with insecurities,” she says. “I would look at the other contestants and think they had the ‘perfect body’ as per conventional standards. I kept asking myself why I wasn’t like that.”
The pressure of comparison affected her confidence until one of her mentors offered advice that changed her perspective. “He told me to stop thinking about everyone else and just portray myself the way I am. He said confidence matters. And that’s what I did,” she says. While the crown eluded her for that contest, Fernandes walked away with the title of Most Confident contestant, an achievement she had not anticipated. “It made me realise that being yourself is just enough.”
Those lessons followed her into participating in Shining Star, a fashion beauty pageant and talent hunt show based in Mapusa. “My younger sister had gone for the auditions for this show and I thought, ‘Let me give it a try too’,” she says. “That’s how it all began.”
The contest featured a talent round, a fashion walk with two looks, and a question and answer segment. For the talent round, each contestant was given two minutes to showcase their respective talents. Fernandes chose public speaking. “My topic was ‘Do you celebrate the small steps to success?’” she says. “I spoke about appreciating every stage of one’s journey and recognising the person you are becoming.”
For the second round, she drew her creative casual wear inspiration from Y2K fashion. Her ensemble combined classic ice blue denim pants paired with a fitted black spaghetti strapped top and statement accessories, including a distinctive circular belt, chunky wrist cuff and long pendant necklace, creating a look that was both nostalgic and confident. The ensemble complemented the theme of the round, which assessed contestants on their creativity, confidence, and stage presence. The other sub-round was formal wear, where her look featured a floor-length dark green gown with detailed embellishments. During the question segment, contestants were asked what they considered the best thing about being their age is. Fernandes’ response reflected her outlook on growth and opportunity. “I said that being 22 is like having just bloomed from childhood into adulthood,” she explains. “You are still discovering who you are. It is an age where you can study, travel, learn new hobbies and create memories that help shape your future. This is what I elaborated on.”
While the competition itself was a memorable experience, life away from the stage presented its own challenges. During the pageant, Fernandes’ mother had to care for the ailing grandmother, leaving her to take on additional responsibilities at the show. “I had to keep an eye on my two younger sisters during that period,” she says. “It made me realise how much my mother does every day. It was difficult, but it also showed me that I am able to manage things on my own given any sudden circumstances, even if its overwhelming.”
The subtitle of Miss Gracious that she was bestowed, was another unexpected honour. “I was curious to know why the organisers had given me that title,” she says. “They told me it was because of the way I carried myself and they noticed how I helped other contestants during the pageant.” Several participants were entering a pageant for the first time, and Fernandes found herself sharing tips and encouraging them throughout the process. “I knew what it felt like to be new and nervous,” she says. “If I could help someone feel more confident, I wanted to do that.”
Today, one of the biggest misconceptions around beauty pageants that she hopes to challenge is the belief that these contests are only for people who fit a certain cookie-cutter beauty mould. “People think you need to be a particular height, weight or appearance to enter a pageant, but that’s not true,” she says. “Pageants are about beauty and brains. They look at your confidence, your communication skills and how you present yourself.”
For any young girls aspiring to venture in this world, her advice is straightforward. “Just be yourself. People can know when you’re not genuine,” she shares. “Be patient, and keep learning and just enjoy the experience.”
While the crown has opened new possibilities, Fernandes is currently only concentrating on her academic journey. “I want to finish my studies first,” she says. “After that, I’ll see where the road leads.”
