A Shocking Revelation: Yukta Mookhey on Priyanka Chopra
The glittering world of international beauty pageants often masks complex human dynamics, and a recent interview with former Miss World Yukta Mookhey has peeled back a layer, revealing a surprising perspective on her successor, Priyanka Chopra. Mookhey, crowned Miss World in 1999, just a year before Chopra’s historic win, candidly shared her thoughts, particularly on what she appreciates about the global superstar. Her answer was as blunt as it was unexpected: “Nothing.”
The Unvarnished Truth: A Senior’s Perspective
During a conversation with the YouTube channel Filmymantra Media, Mookhey’s unequivocal response visibly startled the interviewer. With a slight smile, Mookhey reiterated her stance, explaining, “Because she is junior to me. She was the one taking advice from me. Because she was in the following year after me.” She further elaborated, hinting at a deeper history: “I personally feel that there were things that I guided her for, and her parents were sort of wanting to talk to my parents. I don’t think she is the right person for you to ask me at this moment.” Her words painted a picture of mentorship that, from her viewpoint, wasn’t reciprocated with appreciation.
Juhi Chawla: A Paragon of Generosity
In stark contrast to her comments about Priyanka Chopra, Yukta Mookhey fondly recalled her interactions with Bollywood luminary Juhi Chawla, who won Miss India in 1984. Mookhey remembered Chawla reaching out after her Miss World triumph. “I remember Juhi Chawla spoke to me after I won and came back and she spoke to me very kindly,” Mookhey recounted. Chawla’s words were filled with admiration: “She said you are so beautiful and so tall, you carry yourself so well, think about going international.”
This interaction, Mookhey emphasized, defined true grace. “So those are the kind of people I am talking about, who don’t look at you as competition. They don’t look at you as a threat. They look at you as someone who is a junior, or like ‘I might be able to teach them something’, and that requires a lot of greatness.” Her observations highlighted a profound difference in approach between those who uplift and those who might perceive a peer as a rival.
Sisterhood in the Spotlight: Lessons from Fellow Queens
Mookhey’s journey through the Miss World pageant was also shaped by the warmth and encouragement of other iconic Indian beauty queens. She spoke of Sushmita Sen, Miss Universe 1994, who cheered her on with genuine pride. “I remember Sushmita cheering me on a lot. She said, ‘I am so proud of you, you represented India so well’.”
The elegance of Aishwarya Rai, Miss World 1994, also left a lasting impression. Mookhey described her as “very dignified, very graceful, very classy. The way she talks, you listen to that and you know that this is the standard that we have to follow.”
Diana Hayden: The Guiding ‘Badi Didi’
Perhaps the most impactful mentorship came from Diana Hayden, who brought the Miss World crown to India in 1997. Mookhey revealed how Hayden served as an invaluable guide, much like an elder sister. “Diana Hayden motivated me so much,” she shared. “Before the competition, I would talk to her very often over the phone.”
Hayden provided practical, insightful tips on navigating the demanding pageant environment. “Like she would give me tips on how I should handle certain things, or what kind of questions I should not answer. Or just be careful when you are speaking in Hindi because someone else must not feel that you are speaking ill about them.” Mookhey felt deeply supported: “She prepared me for all those little things. I felt so comforted, and so held, like how we say ‘badi didi hai voh (like an elder sister)’. She gave that to me.”
Beyond the Crown: Yukta Mookhey’s Path
After her successful reign as Miss World, Yukta Mookhey ventured briefly into Hindi cinema before choosing a different path. She has since dedicated her efforts to various philanthropic activities, channeling her platform toward social causes rather than the glare of the entertainment industry. Her recent candid reflections offer a rare glimpse into the complex sisterhood, and occasional rivalries, that define the world of beauty pageants and celebrity.
