'My family was not supportive': How this single mother and beauty queen juggles it all
Juggling a full-time job as a single mother is a difficult but rewarding duty. But when you add hobbies to the mix - is it even possible?
Beauty queen Shaj Eetha, a 33-year-old single mother who works full-time in logistics, has shown that it is.
"I signed up for a pageant in 2024 because I wanted to set an example of how you should carry yourself as a woman for my daughter, and I thought pageantry might be a good way for me to learn how to be a better example," she told Stomp.
"Every day we have different masks: in school, at work, when we do our responsibilities as parents. So we must know where to carry ourselves right."
Over her year of pageanting, Shaj has won three esteemed titles: Mrs. Singapore International Global, Mrs. Supranational 2nd Runner-Up, and Mrs. Grand International 4th Runner-Up
One of her greatest challenges was fighting against cultural stigma to pursue her goals in pageantry.
Shaj shared: "Coming from an Indian family background, there is a stigma where you are a mother and you won't have enough time for your child, and with your job too. And then you still want to put time for pageantry.
"My family was not supportive initially. They were afraid of me having to manage so many duties. I'm a single mother too. If I had a partner, maybe it would have been different. But they know that when I set my mind to something, I'll do it, so they have accepted it."
Participating in international pageants means Shaj has had to work with her ex-partner, so he can help take care of their daughter while she's overseas.
"He's been supportive, and my daughter has too. We became better co-parents together," Shaj said.
Contrary to popular belief, pageants aren't all about looks like most may think, Shaj said.
"We often get labelled as vain-bimbos even. But the women I meet in pageantry, some of them represent great causes. For example, I met Mrs Philippines, who advocated for female prisoners."
Shaj uses pageantry to teach her ten-year-old daughter self-confidence.
"I teach her that the rule of thumb in the world is that no one is actually looking at us. We stress about being a certain way to the point where we aren't having fun," Shaj told Stomp.
"I tell her that it's okay to make mistakes, because you can always improve on yourself."
When asked about her hopes for the pageant community in Singapore, Shaj said: "I hope that my fellow sisters who go and represent Singapore can be better supported by the community, and also in finding sponsorships.
"We need to grow and shine the light on pageantry in a different way, because it's really more than just about heels, gowns, and glamour."
