Today we are catching up with Nikita Carter, one of the 7 talented and inspiring women from all walks of life who are hoping to be crowned Miss Universe Singapore 2023 at the iconic Amber Lounge during the Singapore Grand Prix Weekend on 16 Sept with special guest Lil John.
So, Nikita why don’t you tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a law student and an intern doing criminal law right now. I love love love anything Harry Potter related and travelling. My friends call me “grandma” jokingly because my hobbies include listening to jazz music and playing sudoku at the same time.
We all have motivations, mine usually around good coffee, but what was your key motivation for entering Miss Universe Australia?
I have the most supportive family and friends, but my biggest motivator would be my mum, who called me every night when I was on the Vietnam trip and told me how proud she was of me. Her faith in me pushed me to enter the competition in the first place and I just want to keep making her proud in every way I can.
As part of the program, you recently went on the National Finalist Trip to Vietnam at Furama Resort Denang, with the Australian contestants. What was the experience like?
Team Singapore was amazing. I met the loveliest girls and they always looked out for one another, which is something I cherished. Meeting Team Australia was splendid, I had so much to learn from the girls. They were bubbly, fun and drop dead gorgeous. The walking workshop by Thelma and the speaking workshop by NIDA were the most intriguing. I learnt so many things from them that I will keep with me forever. Of course, the behind-the-scenes team as well as hair and makeup were absolutely lovely. Troy and Sophia were the best! They were so sweet. Sophia made my entire swim shoot so comfortable I never felt self-conscious for a moment. Troy was so fun to talk to and was the life of the party, and they even handed out spa vouchers to the best content creators every night! I was lucky to get one and I genuinely couldn’t have asked for a better trip.
What would you say was the highlight of your trip?
Although the trip was so well planned out, my favourite time was dinner time. The food was splendid and so was the company. I spoke to someone new every night and the MUA team had so much to share. A cheeky glass of red wine with dinner and girl talk will always be my favourite!
With everyone bringing their own unique and individual flair to the program, what is something that sets you apart from the other finalists?
I think my focus on academics sets me apart. I believe very firmly in the strength of education and I’ve been so privileged to be educated in Singapore. I understand that education is not as accessible to everyone, and that is why I took it upon myself to tutor kids who needed help with school. I will also be teaching a group of domestic helpers basic digital literacy so that they can upskill themselves. This is the impact I can make today and I hope I can do much more as I grow.
Singapore is a multicultural society with people from many different backgrounds and walks of life. As Miss Universe Singapore, how would you use your platform to bring people together?
I think that to promote diversity we have to start with our youth. I want to create mentoring programmes that match successful mentors and role models with young people from various backgrounds and encourage young people to have open conversations and debates on tolerance, unity, and multiculturalism.
Tell us something you’re passionate about and why?
I am most passionate about lifelong learning. It involves more than just receiving a formal education; it also entails searching out new information and developing personally throughout one’s lifetime. Educational institutions are frequently the beating heart of communities. They bring people together, give people a sense of belonging, and provide chances for personal and social development. With the education I’ve received I’ve had ample space for growth and self-improvement. Growing up, I struggled with school and it made me have very low self-esteem. I’m so grateful to my parents for giving me the most they could with what little they had, hence why I am so persistent on making full use of the education I’ve received. You really do learn something new every day.
To finish up the interview we have a few quick questions
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
It would be Hogwarts of course! But realistically speaking I’d love to live somewhere like Bali where the beaches are gorgeous and the views are to die for.
What would your perfect weekend look like?
The perfect weekend would be one catching up with my girls over red wine and good food, a date night at the movies, video games with my little brother, spin class to rejuvenate and telling my parents all about my week and the shenanigans that went on. And a good true crime podcast to wind down on a Sunday night.
What makes you laugh out loud?
Kevin Hart or Adam Sandler movies always get a full belly laugh from me. But if that doesn’t do it I have the funniest little brother who says the funniest things with a stoic face. I once asked him if he thought I was ugly and he replied “It’s okay, other people are uglier.” He’s the cutest.
