I’m very intentional about maintaining modesty –Esther Otuonye,

By Christy Anyanwu

Esther Chizaram Otuonye is from Afara-Ukwu Community in Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State, Nigeria. She is a beauty queen, chef, entrepreneur, philanthropist, humanitarian, and three-time beauty queen. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of BRAMA Foods, a culinary brand. She recently spoke with Sunday Sun.

Tell us about your growing up. Did it influence your decision to be a queen and choose a career as a chef?

Absolutely. My upbringing played a significant role in shaping the woman I am today.

I come from a humble background, but I was blessed to grow up in a home filled with love. My family may not have had everything, but they always supported our dreams and taught us the value of hard work, perseverance, and compassion. Growing up, I learned very early that life’s circumstances do not have to define your future. While some of my dreams were delayed or cut short because of the challenges surrounding us at the time, I refused to allow those circumstances to determine the course of my life.

One of the most defining moments of my life was my mother’s battle with breast cancer. Watching someone so strong endure so much pain was heart-breaking. I desperately wanted to help her in any way I could. As a young woman searching for solutions, I discovered a health-related pageant and saw it as an opportunity to raise awareness and seek support for her condition. Unfortunately, despite all efforts, she passed away just three months after I won the title.

Losing my mother was one of the most painful experiences of my life, but in the midst of that pain, I found purpose. I realised that pageantry could be more than glamour, fashion, and crowns. It could be a powerful platform for advocacy, awareness, and social impact.

From that moment, I chose to walk the path of pageantry with a different mind-set. I was no longer pursuing titles simply for recognition; I wanted to use my voice to advocate for women’s health, empowerment, education, and opportunities for those who often go unheard. I wanted to honour my mother’s memory by sharing her story and shedding light on the challenges faced by countless women battling serious health conditions.

My journey into the culinary world is a much lighter story. Ironically, I did not enjoy cooking when I was younger. However, as I grew older, I began to see food differently. What started as a simple necessity gradually became a passion. I discovered that cooking is an art form, a language of love, and a powerful means of bringing people together. Through food, I found a creative outlet that allowed me to express myself, celebrate culture, and create memorable experiences for others.

Over time, that passion evolved into BRAMA Foods. Today, being a chef is not just about preparing meals; it is about creating experiences, preserving culture, and empowering others through entrepreneurship and opportunity.

 You are also into advocacy and humanitarian gesture. Could you shed more light into this?

While entrepreneurship has been a significant part of my journey, my greatest passion lies in humanitarian service. My commitment to philanthropy began in 2017, inspired by my deep compassion for vulnerable women and children.

This passion gave birth to the Smile Bloom Foundation, a humanitarian organisation founded on the belief that every individual deserves hope, dignity, opportunity, and the support necessary to thrive.

Through the foundation, we address critical social challenges affecting women, children, and underserved communities through educational support, empowerment programmes, healthcare awareness campaigns, humanitarian outreach, and community development initiatives. We firmly believe that even the smallest act of kindness can create a ripple effect capable of transforming lives and communities for generations.

One of the causes closest to my heart is the fight against Period Poverty. Across many communities, countless girls miss school, lose confidence, and face unnecessary barriers simply because they lack access to basic menstrual hygiene products. Determined to be part of the solution, the Smile Bloom Foundation partnered with the SHERO Foundation through my role as a SHERO Ambassador to raise awareness and provide practical support to girls and women in need.

Through this partnership and my independent advocacy efforts, we successfully raised millions of naira and facilitated the distribution of over 6,000 sanitary pads to schoolgirls and women in underserved communities. Beyond providing sanitary products, these initiative also increased menstrual health awareness.

Tell us about your journey into pageantry. Is this your first contest? Why did you compete for Miss One Nigeria?

My journey into pageantry has been anything but easy, but it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

From the very beginning, I had to challenge stereotypes and societal expectations. As a thick and curvy woman, I often found myself in spaces where women who looked like me were not traditionally represented. There were times when people questioned whether I belonged on a pageant stage, and there were moments when I faced criticism simply because I did not fit the conventional beauty standards that many had become accustomed to.

However, I refused to allow those limitations to define me. Instead, I chose to see my uniqueness as a strength rather than a disadvantage. I believed that beauty comes in different forms and that every woman deserves to be seen, represented, and celebrated. That belief gave me the courage to keep showing up, keep competing, and keep believing in myself even when others doubted me.

Miss One Nigeria was not my first pageant. Over the years, I have had the privilege of competing in several pageants, and each experience has played an important role in shaping my growth, confidence, and purpose.

I am proud to have successfully won three beauty pageant titles – Miss Health Africa 2017, Miss Heritage Nigeria 2021 and Miss One Nigeria 2025/2026.

I chose to compete for Miss One Nigeria because it is a pageant that genuinely embraces inclusion, diversity, and purpose-driven leadership. What stood out to me was their commitment to creating opportunities for women from different backgrounds, body types, and experiences. They recognise that beauty is not one-dimensional and that true queens are defined by their character, impact, intelligence, and ability to inspire others. Winning the title as the first-ever Miss One Nigeria is an honour I do not take lightly.

 What part of being a beauty queen is 100 per cent difficult?

I would say the most difficult part of being a beauty queen is the responsibility that comes with the crown. Many people see the glamour, beautiful outfits, photo-shoots, and public appearances, but they often do not see the pressure, sacrifices, and expectations behind the scenes.

Another challenging aspect is balancing personal life, professional commitments, and advocacy work. As a beauty queen, there are moments when you have to continue showing up for others even when you are dealing with personal struggles of your own. The ability to remain focused on your mission while navigating life’s challenges requires emotional strength and resilience.

 What is the duration of your reign and what are the key assignments you have as Miss One Nigeria?

The reign of a beauty queen is typically one year, but it’s subject to change  depending on the organization’s schedule. As the reigning Miss One Nigeria 2026, my primary responsibility is to serve as an ambassador of Nigerian culture, unity, and the values of the organisation. My key assignments include promoting female empowerment, leadership development, and community service.

I am also a SHERO ambassador for the fight against period poverty which is also a key assignment in my reign and even post my reign.

Addressing  social issues and challenges affecting women, children, and underserved communities.

Above all, my responsibility is to set a standard for future titleholders by inspiring hope, empowering people, promoting inclusion, and creating meaningful impact across Nigeria.

 As a beauty queen, what does style mean to you and what outfit will you not wear as a person?

As a woman first, and then a beauty queen, style to me is a reflection of my identity, my confidence, and my values. It is the way I express myself and what I represent through elegance, modesty, confidence, and intentionality. For me, style has to be powerful; it should celebrate femininity while reflecting self-respect and empowerment.

Style is also about how I carry myself with grace and dignity. It is not about wearing the most expensive outfits, but about wearing even the simplest outfit with confidence, class, and grace. What matters most is how you present yourself and the message your appearance communicates.

I am very intentional about maintaining modesty and representing myself in a way that aligns with my values and the responsibilities I carry as a woman and as a beauty queen. Because of this, I will never wear anything that goes contrary to these principles, such as overly revealing or undignified clothing.

True style is not just fashion, it is character expressed outwardly.