Manita Devkota


Manita Devkota is a Nepalese-American model, women’s health advocate and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss Universe Nepal on 11 April 2018. Meanwhile, She became the first Miss Nepal to win Miss Universe Nepal in an ongoing competition, as the organizer of Miss Nepal;The Hidden Treasure adjoined the title for the very first time in the competition. At the 67th Miss Universe pageant held on 17 December 2018 at IMPACT Arena, Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi Province, northern suburb of Bangkok, She represent Nepal and for this edition, there was no online voting component for viewers at home. Nonetheless, she secured her position to top 10 making her as a strong contender in Miss Universe competition. Meanwhile, she won Miss Universe 2018 National Gift Auction First Prize in Bangkok, Thailand as her gift sold at 310,000 Thai baht at auction.

Personal life

Devkota currently lives in North Carolina, United States. She spent most of her childhood in Gorkha, and later migrated to North Carolina to pursue higher education and other opportunities. She has completed her Public Health Degree from East Carolina University in Greenville, North Carolina, where she has been on the Dean's list for seven semesters straight. She has been involved in Days for Girls and She's the First foundations. Manita has managed her education and housing while she was at a university by working in two jobs: as a librarian and as a Barista.

National pageant

On 11 April 2018, Devkota joined Miss Nepal 2018 at Hotel Annapurna in Kathmandu, where she was crowned as Miss Nepal Universe 2018. She succeeded outgoing titleholder Nagma Shrestha. Manita Devkota has been successful to catch the eye of the judge because of her best answer to the question asked and impress the audience with her looks and attitude in Miss Nepal competition. She has worked with many organizations like ‘She’s the first’ and ‘Days for Girls’ to fulfill her passions. She has openly stated that her dream job would be one where " I could travel the world and impact communities at the individual level."
At an Interview, Miss Universe Nepal Devkota express her opinion on Miss Nepal:

Miss Universe 2018

On 17 December 2018, Manita Devkota participated Miss Universe 2018 at IMPACT Arena, Muang Thong Thani in Nonthaburi Province, northern suburb of Bangkok, Thailand. Nepal has debuted in the Miss Universe pageantry last year. In the second year of participation, Devkota made it to Top 10. She became the first Miss Nepal to enter in the Semi-Final Spot in the Miss Universe. According to Miss Universe 2018, she was placed in the 10th position in that pageant. She was called as "The Dark Horse" in Miss Universe Competition, as her Dedication, self-confident, determination, tenacity and the willpower makes her a strong contender at Miss Universe competition and was surprising and impressing everyone. This is what she said in her Top 20 Statement :
I see myself as a pioneer, I'm a first generation immigrant and a first generation college graduate. That fact alone, has made me value my dreams and feel empowered! I now work to empower women & girls in my community who face menstrual health challenged by providing health training solutions & health education. Sawadekka!
After Miss Universe Competition, Devkota conveyed her sincere gratitude to her well-wishers, saying

Social Awareness and Campaign

In 2017, she has taken part a in protest Women's March to support marginalised individuals and issues.