Local Miss Universe Ireland finalist shines light on postnatal struggles
By Rebekah O'Reilly
Monksland resident Victoria Lewis has been announced as a finalist in Miss Universe Ireland 2026, using her journey in the prestigious competition to shine a light on an issue that is deeply personal to her.
The launch event took place on June 4 at Bewley’s Café Theatre on Grafton Street, Dublin, welcoming finalists, sponsors, media, and special guests for an evening of elegance, celebration, and summer glamour.
Victoria now joins a distinguished group of contestants competing for the national title and the opportunity to represent Ireland on the global stage.
Born in Dublin, she moved to Athlone as a teenager, and attended Summerhill School before it became Coláiste Chiaráin.
She now works at Zen Leisure in the Athlone Springs Hotel. Her husband, Simon, is an employee of Irish Education Partners, a family business founded by his mother that helps place European students in work placements across Ireland. He also manages the accounts for Savoury Fare Athlone.
Her participation in the competition was proudly supported by her employer, Zen Leisure, along with Irish Education Partners and Savoury Fare Athlone.
A mother of three, Victoria initially entered Miss Universe Ireland as a personal challenge, stepping outside her comfort zone to overcome fears around confidence, visibility, and putting herself forward.
She quickly realised the competition could offer something far greater than personal growth, a platform to advocate for increased awareness and support for women and their partners during the postpartum period.
Following the birth of her second child, Victoria experienced postnatal depression, anxiety, and a profound loss of identity. With the support of therapist Valerie Dolan, she was able to rebuild her confidence and rediscover herself. Today, she is determined to raise awareness of the challenges many women face after childbirth.
“Women are often sent home with a newborn baby and expected to simply get on with it,” Victoria said.
“Many feel overwhelmed, isolated, unsupported, anxious, and completely lost. Yet the advice can often be reduced to ‘if you’re crying more than usual, contact your GP’.”
Victoria believes this approach falls short of addressing the reality of what many women experience. After seeking support herself, she requested a referral to therapy through her GP and was contacted 18 months later with an appointment offer.
She believes there is a significant gap in education and support for both mothers and their partners regarding the enormous physical, emotional, and psychological transition that comes with parenthood.
“If women and their partners were better prepared for what to expect, partners would be able to offer more effective support, and women would understand that these feelings are common and that they are not alone,” she said.
Victoria is also passionate about challenging the belief that motherhood should mean putting personal ambitions on hold.
“So many women become completely consumed by being ‘Mam’ that their dreams, passions, and creativity are packed away until they eventually rediscover themselves, sometimes years later. I want to be an advocate and an example that women do not have to put their big ideas and dreams on hold just because they are mothers.”
Recent changes to the Miss Universe competition, which now allow mothers to compete, have made Victoria’s participation even more meaningful.
“For me, this is an incredible platform to raise awareness around an issue that affects so many families. To be crowned Miss Universe Ireland would be an honour, but more importantly, it would give me an even bigger opportunity to be a voice for change.”
The current Miss Universe Ireland titleholder, Aadya Srivastava from Galway, was crowned in 2025 by Sofia Labus of Cork.
The competition has become an increasingly influential platform for ambitious women in Ireland, with former winners including Roz Purcell, Joanna Cooper, Aishah Akorede, Sofia Labus, and Aadya Srivastava, opening doors in modelling, media, business, advocacy, and international representation.
The winner of Miss Universe Ireland 2026 will receive an exclusive prize package and the honour of representing Ireland at the Miss Universe global final, where delegates from more than 100 countries will compete for the crown.
The event comes as the Miss Universe Organization prepares to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the international competition, marking decades of global influence and a continued commitment to empowerment, inclusion, and opportunity.
The Miss Universe Ireland final will be held on Saturday, June 20, in The Bonnington Hotel, Dublin.