Erica Robin’s initial disbelief at being crowned Miss Universe Pakistan snowballed into fear when internet trolls started coming to the fore. “It was supposed to be a special moment,” she revealed in a recent podcast. “But then I started getting threats.” Reduced to tears though she may have been, Erica vowed to keep going, despite a dearth of support from the fashion industry. “I had to pay for the training myself. No one from the government sponsored me, even though I was representing the country, and no one from the industry supported me [financially].” Erica, however, was in the fortunate position of having savings, and within days, packed her bags to train in the Philippines for a month. “Training was tough,” she admitted. “I cried at night. They told me I didn’t know how to walk properly, and I couldn’t talk in front of the camera to save my life! I had to practice talking in the mirror every morning when putting on my make-up!” Reflecting on how participating in the global competition has changed her, Erica noted that gaining recognition had allowed her to channel her thoughts before speaking. “Before this, I was just I, me, myself, but when you know you have a title, people are looking up to you – you automatically change. Your behaviour changes. You adapt. I am more calm and composed and think before saying anything in a public place.”