Seventeen contestants, 8 in the male category and 9 in the female, competed in The Indian Weekender’s Mr & Ms Auckland 2022 at Auckland Diwali Festival 2022 and had thousands of audience members craving for more.
The Indian Weekender’s Mr & Ms Auckland Contest, which brings the fusion of culture and modernity on the stage in a cultural pageant format, is a regular highlight of the Auckland Diwali Festival.
After dozens of applications and rounds of auditions, the top 17 contestants went for the final round on the stage of Auckland’s biggest Indian event- Diwali Festival, held at Aotea Square on Saturday (October 8). After weeks of rigorous training and grooming, the finalists prepared for the final rounds of the contest, including the prop round.
The earlier rounds of the contest, which were held at The Indian Weekender studio, marked the contestants on their introduction, ramp-walk, dress-up, Q&A session with the judges (Gujarati theatre artist and known face of Indian community Rupal Solanki, stylist Daya Arora and make-up artist Agastya).
The 28-year-old Helly Desai, who originally hails from Vadodara, Gujarat, was announced Ms Auckland, while Viraj Lamba, the 25-year-old Mumbai guy, claimed the title of Mr Auckland 2022.
Delhi girl Shriya Sharma (33) and Meerut boy Aseem Wadhwa (25) were the runners-up in the respective categories.
Achshaya Ramooji was announced as the best-dressed female, and Vishal Chugh bagged the best-dressed male.
The winners were announced by the Hon Consul of India in Auckland, Bhav Dhillon, in the presence of judges on the stage.
While Ms Auckland was awarded a voucher worth $1200 by designer Daya and a 3-piece ring set from Luther Jewellers, Mr Auckland got a $1200 voucher from Jaiss tailor in Onehunga. Ms Auckland runners-up won a $400 voucher from Sathaki.co.nz; Mr Auckland runners-up bagged $400 voucher from Indo NZ trader. The best-dressed winners got vouchers worth $250 from Tanya Mehra each.
To celebrate their victory, all the Mr & Ms Auckland Contest participants partied and danced their night out at Rock On - Live Bollywood band and DJ night by 729TheBand at Wynyard Pavilion, 17 Jellicoe Street, Auckland CBD.
Winner Comments
Helly Desai: Ms Auckland 2022 Winner
I met many humble and loving people on this journey of Mr & Ms Auckland, who encouraged me and pushed me to my limits to refine my talent. The encouragement and appreciation we got from our most talented judges, Rupal, Daya and Agastya, were incomparable. I would love to thank you from the bottom of my heart to Dheemi (Ms Auckland 2019) for guiding us on every single step of our success. When the judges declared me the winner of Ms Auckland 2022, my heart skipped a few beats. The first person that came to my mind was my mother. I thought that she would feel so proud of me today. When our judges were doing the crown ceremony, I remembered one thing, the crown comes with new responsibilities and duties. My journey has begun now, and I have to keep the glory of this crown.
Viraj Lamba: Mr Auckland 2022 Winner
I am overwhelmed by the love and kind wishes bestowed upon me by everyone. I am glad that I could raise the bar high enough for the title, and I am sure to do justice to it in the future. I am thankful to the Indian Weekender, Judges, my friends and the audience who were so supportive. I am only looking onwards and upwards as this is just the start or, as I would say, "Party toh abhi shuru hui hai mere dost!"
Shriya Sharma: Ms Auckland 2022 Runners-up
I feel humbled and blessed after winning the crown. It has been a fantastic journey to be a part of, and meeting all these talented people was a bonus. It is a beautiful achievement that I will cherish forever.
Aseem Wadhwa: Mr Auckland 2022 Runners-up
The feeling is magical and unreal, as I could have never imagined myself on that stage without the support of everyone involved in this pageant. Sharing that stage with such pretty and talented contestants and being looked after by such a successful jury, mentors and sponsors was an accomplishment, and the title of Mr Auckland Runners-Up 2022 was just a cherry on the cake. Thanks again for this fantastic opportunity and support, Indian Weekender.
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