A 20-year-old woman from Slough has been crowned Miss Asia GB and is soon to fly to India to participate in a worldwide pageant.

Arya Naik, from Langley, Slough, was born in India and brought up in the UK.

On Friday, May 26 at a glamorous pageant at The Courtyard by Marriot London Heathrow Airport she took home multiple crowns - including the title of Miss Asia GB 2023.

READ MORE: Slough woman crowned as Miss Asia GB 2023

In an exclusive interview with the Observer, Arya said: "I remember being backstage hoping for one crown - I didn't expect to walk out with three.

"In that moment my mind was blank - I was shocked.

"I now have such an influence over people. I can inspire them with what I have done - I was the youngest in the pageant - age is just a number."

Arya is now to fly out to Pune, India, on Thursday, June 8 to participate in Miss Asia Worldwide.

"It is quite a lot of pressure," Arya said.

"I am representing a whole nation and it has all happened so so quickly.

"It's only been two weeks since the pageant and I am flying out Thursday to go there.

"It is a big honour to do this and show people what Indians living in the UK are like.

"Not only will I have a UK audience, I will have an Indian audience and there are a lot of issues I would like to destigmatize."

Arya wishes for stigmas around conventional beauty standards, mental health and divorces to be changed in the Indian culture.

Looking back at her journey, Arya said: "Entering the pageant was honestly so unexpected."

Arya was approached by a previous Miss Asia GB winner at a local fashion show, who said she should enter.

Arya added that her family have always been creative and she has always been into Hindi film, dancing and acting from a young age - which she said wasn't vastly different to pageantry.

"I've always been a little drama queen," she joked.

A love for "vibrant" and "energetic" Bollywood films saw Arya later take dance lessons from famous Choreographer Shiamak Davar from age 11.

However, Arya stopped her dance lessons to undertake her degree - which she continued while preparing for the pageant.

"It's not been easy," Arya said.

"When I was first told about the pageant I was told when I needed to be free, but I didn't realise how much prep goes into pageantry. There is so much you need to do in the weeks leading up to it.

"Towards the end of my university year I had a lot of deadlines, but I managed to pull through and get it all done in time."

Arya went through a series of interviews, panels and photoshoots alongside community work before making it to the Miss Asia GB pageant.

"It was really rewarding in the end," Arya added.

"My friends and family have been supportive since the start.

"They said if there is anything I need they are there. 

"I feel like this crown isn't just mine it's a big win for my entire family and all my friends - and everyone who voted.

"Since winning they have been so proud, it is great to see I have achieved something that they are proud of. It means a lot." 

Arya will be participating in a series of rounds once in Pune, India, where the Miss India Worldwide is to be held. The rounds include a talent round and a personal introduction.