Sushmita Sen Accused of Favouring 1st Runner-Up After Kaziah Liz Mejo Wins Miss Universe India 2026
Miss Universe India 2026 winner Kaziah Liz Mejo has sparked online debate after Sushmita Sen appeared to give more attention to first runner-up Vaishnavi Gannesh.
Sushmita Sen is facing criticism online after her interaction with Miss Universe India 2026 winner Kaziah Liz Mejo during the pageant’s finale went viral.
Kaziah, 19, from Kerala, won the title in Jaipur on August 23. Soon after the result, a video showed Sushmita congratulating Kaziah before turning her attention towards first runner-up Vaishnavi Gannesh.
Sushmita was later seen comforting Vaishnavi and fixing her crown. The moment did not go unnoticed on social media, where some users accused the former Miss Universe of favouring Vaishnavi.
The video, however, does not prove that Sushmita was unhappy with Kaziah’s win. Her reaction has simply led to different opinions online.
What happened between Sushmita Sen and Kaziah Liz Mejo?
A video shared online by the Instagram page Majestic Moments shows the moments after Kaziah was crowned Miss Universe India 2026.
Sushmita can be seen congratulating Kaziah, but their interaction appears brief. She then moves towards Vaishnavi Gannesh, who had finished as the first runner-up and was also crowned Miss International India 2026.
Sushmita is seen comforting Vaishnavi and helping adjust her crown. At one point, she takes the crown off Vaishnavi’s head and places it back properly.
The moment has been interpreted differently by viewers. While some believe Sushmita appeared to favour Vaishnavi, others have defended her and suggested that the video does not tell the complete story.
Why is Sushmita Sen being criticised?
Sushmita Sen has a strong connection with the Miss Universe legacy. She won the Miss Universe title for India in 1994 and remains one of the country’s most recognised beauty pageant winners.
Because of that association, some viewers expected her to give special attention to the newly crowned Indian representative.
After the video went viral, several social media users questioned why Sushmita appeared to spend more time with Vaishnavi immediately after the result.
One viewer questioned whether the winner should have been congratulated first and described the interaction as uncomfortable to watch.
Another accused Sushmita of behaving unprofessionally, while some others said they were surprised by her reaction. At the same time, not everyone criticised Sushmita.
Internet divided over the viral video
Some users believe Sushmita’s actions suggested that she thought Vaishnavi was the stronger contestant. A few comments even went further, suggesting that the pageant result itself may have been controversial. However, other users defended Kaziah and rejected the criticism directed at her.
Several comments praised the 19-year-old’s confidence, communication skills and performance during the competition. Some users said Kaziah deserved the crown and should not be targeted because of speculation surrounding the reactions of others.
There were also comments supporting Sushmita, with some users interpreting her interaction with Vaishnavi as an emotional moment rather than evidence that she disagreed with the result.
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Did Sushmita Sen really ignore Kaziah?
The viral video shows that Sushmita did congratulate Kaziah after she won. Therefore, describing the footage as proof that she completely ignored the winner would be misleading.
What has created controversy is the difference in the length and nature of the interactions shown in the clip. Sushmita’s interaction with Kaziah appears brief, while the former Miss Universe spends more visible time with Vaishnavi, including helping her with her crown.
That has allowed viewers to form their own interpretations. There is currently no verified statement from Sushmita in the material surrounding the viral clip confirming that she disagreed with Kaziah’s victory or believed Vaishnavi should have won.
Who is Kaziah Liz Mejo?
Kaziah Liz Mejo is a 19-year-old model and law student from Mavelikkara, Kerala. Before winning Miss Universe India 2026, she represented India at Miss Teen International 2025, where she finished as the first runner-up. She also won the Miss Universe Kerala title earlier this year.
Her victory in Jaipur now means Kaziah will represent India at the Miss Universe 2026 pageant. Her win has also brought attention to her performance during the finale, particularly her confidence while answering the final question.
Who is Vaishnavi Gannesh?
Vaishnavi Gannesh finished as the first runner-up at Miss Universe India 2026 and was crowned Miss International India 2026. Her interaction with Sushmita after the result became one of the most discussed moments in the viral video.
The footage shows Sushmita appearing to console Vaishnavi and helping her with her crown, which is what prompted many viewers to compare the two interactions. However, the reason behind the moment has not been officially explained.
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For now, the video has created a clear split online: while some users see it as favouritism, others believe people are reading too much into a short moment.
One thing is certain — Kaziah Liz Mejo has the crown, and Sushmita Sen’s reaction has now become a story of its own.
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