If Lida Nasiri could go back in time and have a conversation with her 10-year-old self, she’d say to her, “I am sorry you had to protect your family at a young age. You have no idea what the world has in store for you. Your dreams and desires are worthy. Your grace, respect, and care for everyone will shape you into a beautiful woman. Not only do you deserve to be the princess you are, but one day your world will be filled with joy, laughter, and great support you can lean on. I promise to fulfil your dreams one by one with a smile.”
Lida, in the brown blazer and shorts, along with her sister, Surya, in Afghanistan.
The little girl she spoke to endured an unstable childhood that was like “an adventure walking into the unknown.” From fleeing her birthplace of Kabul, Afghanistan after the Taliban came into power to ultimately becoming a Miss England finalist, the life led by Lida Nasiri is anything but ordinary. Eager to learn more, we spoke to the beauty queen to hear her miraculous journey firsthand.
On the run
“My earliest memories as a child are holding my mum’s hand as we walked in the dark for hours. Sometimes we ran into the woods to hide away. Unlike hide and seek, we would hide only. As I got older, I was told that we were not only walking for hours, but in fact, we were walking for months.”
Lida in the Miss England 2022 semi-finals, where she won the publicity round.
At the age of three, Lida’s mother decided it was time to leave Kabul after their family home was hit by a rocket. As the family fled Afghanistan, they first traveled by foot to Iran, and then onto Turkmenistan, Russia, Poland, Germany, and The Netherlands, and finally settled in England.
A new normal
“At six, I was raised in the Netherlands and gained citizenship in Utrecht. I celebrated Santa Claus and even went on easter egg hunts.” Lida Nasiri thrived in her newfound stable home, a clean caravan in a refugee camp that contained a kitchen and bathroom. She lived and studied in the country for five years before her family made their final move to London.
Between two worlds
“I moved to London to complete my A-levels. At the age of 15, I felt like an adult. I was always engrossed in my studies, followed my moral guidelines, and never interacted with boys. I didn’t stay out late and always shopped with someone. This was part was my culture, and I instilled these rules and values in myself to keep me protected from potential harm.”
As far as integrating into a Western country with a conservative Muslim background, Lida Nasiri was “her own best friend as seeking emotional support is unheard of in my community. I entered a private university on a scholarship. When everyone was taking their break, I would study. To me, the library was a place of joy and peace. I flourished as a young working professional in London. My family supported my life choices and they never hindered me. This is unheard of in the Afghan community.”
“I love where I come from and my cultural values and norms. I strongly believe that individuals, instead of communities, need to decide for themselves what is normal and what is deviant. No one has the right to dictate your life apart from yourself.”
Pageant queen
In 2020, Lida Nasiri suffered a mental breakdown that resulted in a three-month hospital stay. In 2021, she entered into the Brains and Beauty UK pageant and won. That win allowed her to compete in Miss England.
“Competing in Miss England was surreal. At some point, it felt overwhelming, and few female contestants chose to opt out in the middle of the journey because of the intensity. The pressure to have the best smile, clear skin, perfect hair, and body was insurmountable. It felt like an unrealistic comparison because today’s beauty standards have changed, and uniqueness is celebrated.”
“Winning the publicity round in the semi-finals was when I knew I had a bigger purpose of fulfilling—one more significant than myself and my dreams. The competition gave me a deeper appreciation of my culture. I’m grateful for it teaching me to be present, sophisticated, and self-advocating.”
Role model for the conservative and modern life
“I entered Miss England as a symbol of hope for women whose dreams and desires are neglected. I want to remind all women that we should be aware of our inner child’s wishes and pursue them fearlessly. Miss England represents class, culture, and caliber. All three elements shape a woman into a lady who is eloquent, educated, and pursues a career for herself with or without the support of a man.”
Lida Nasiri often finds young women in her DMs asking for advice. Usually, it’s “about how to manage their conservative and modern life. I always reply. It’s essential to be self-aware and know who you are, where you come from, and what beliefs are significant to you.”
“I tell the younger generations that there is no such thing as a perfect girl. She simply does not exist. We are humans and are bound to make mistakes. For those who want to deviate from family expectations, my best advice is to have an unfiltered conversation with your mother about your life choices. That is the first and most important thing.”
Lida became a finalist in the Miss England 2022 pageant. She competed for the title with her mother, father, brother, and sister cheering her on. As for the future, we have no doubt that Lida Nasiri will continue to challenge conservative norms and values while maintaining her integrity, poise, and elegance. We can’t wait to see which glass ceiling she breaks next.
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