From Sri Lankan Roots to Australia’s Global Stage. Taniya Jayasinghe’s Road to Mrs. Globe
Sri Lankan born Australian beauty queen and behavioral health professional Taniya Jayasinghe is preparing to represent Australia at the prestigious Mrs. Globe pageant in California next month. As the first woman of Sri Lankan origin selected to compete under the Australian banner, she carries with her a story of resilience, cultural pride, and a strong commitment to mental health advocacy, suicide prevention, and supporting vulnerable communities. In this interview, Taniya reflects on her journey, family influences, professional career, and the purpose that drives her beyond the crown.
You are the first Sri Lankan origin woman selected to represent Australia at Mrs. Globe. What did that moment personally mean to you and your family?
It was an emotional and deeply meaningful moment that represented far more than a title or crown. My passion for pageantry began in childhood, and representing Australia internationally is something I have always aspired to do. As a first generation immigrant, I am grateful for the opportunities and sense of belonging Australia has given me while remaining proud of my Sri Lankan heritage. This opportunity allows me to celebrate both identities on a global stage.
Growing up as the daughter of Chartered Architect Vinod Jayasinghe, how did your upbringing shape your confidence, discipline, and outlook on life?
As the only child of Architect Vinod Jayasinghe and Charmaine Jayasinghe, I was raised in an environment that valued education, professionalism, integrity, and service to others. My parents taught me that success is not only about achievements but also about character and the impact we have on other people's lives. Their guidance taught me that responsibility, resilience, and strong values are essential in every aspect of life. Those lessons became stepping stones towards greater achievements in both my personal and professional life. They continue to guide me today as I represent women from diverse backgrounds on a global platform. It is also about breaking stereotypes and demonstrating that women from different backgrounds can succeed on international stages.
How would you describe the woman behind the crown, beyond the pageants, titles, and public appearances?
The woman behind the crown understands that every woman already possesses value and worth. Many lose sight of this because of pain, criticism, trauma, or social expectations. Through my work in psychology and my own experiences, I have learned that people often share similar struggles regardless of background. The crown is a platform, not my identity. It helps create opportunities for important conversations, but what matters most is compassion, authenticity, purpose, and a commitment to positive change.
Many women share important truths every day, but not all receive recognition. I see the crown as a tool that attracts attention, but the real value lies in how that attention can be used to create meaningful change.
Tell us more about Mrs. Globe and how balancing personal goals and an international pageant journey can be challenging. How have your family supported you throughout this experience?
Mrs. Globe celebrates womanhood in all its forms and welcomes women from different backgrounds and life experiences. The platform recognizes that women have different journeys and unique stories. Whether they are married, single, divorced, or single parents, every woman brings her own experiences, strengths, and identity. The platform emphasizes inclusiveness, leadership, advocacy, and personal achievement. As someone competing in the single over 28 category, my journey has focused on balancing personal goals, professional responsibilities, and family support. My family's perception of pageantry has evolved over the years. What they once viewed as glamour alone is now recognized as a platform for advocacy, purpose, and meaningful impact. Their support continues to mean everything to me.
Many women struggle to prioritize themselves after marriage or family responsibilities. Was there ever a moment when you doubted pursuing this path, and what kept you motivated?
I have never doubted this path because pageantry has been a passion since childhood. However, I believe many women struggle with self-prioritization when responsibilities increase. As a behavioral specialist, I often see women carrying multiple expectations without adequate support or communication. People bring different strengths, experiences, and communication styles into relationships. Often, we expect mutual understanding without learning how to communicate effectively or navigate challenges together. Growth happens when people learn to understand one another rather than approach situations through blame or assumptions. I remain motivated by the belief that women do not need to lose themselves while caring for others. It is possible to nurture families, pursue ambitions, and continue personal growth at the same time.
With a professional background in Psychology and Applied Behavior Analysis rather than a traditional path in entertainment or modelling, how has your career influenced your pageant platform and personal mission?
Pageantry and modelling have always been part of who I am. My interest in psychology and behavioural support developed later during postgraduate studies, where I discovered a genuine passion for helping people create meaningful change. What began as an academic pursuit became both my profession and my purpose. My career did not create my mission, but it strengthened it. My mission is simple: to be kind, support others, care for family and community, and make a positive impact. I believe people do not need to fit a single mould to make a difference. Sometimes purpose finds you while you pursue what you love.
Mental health, suicide prevention, and hospice care are causes you strongly advocate for. What experiences made these issues deeply personal and meaningful to you?
Mental health affects everyone. Through my work in psychology, behavioural support, and trauma research, I have witnessed how stress, pain, and life experiences shape people's lives. Suicide prevention is particularly meaningful because I focus on the emotional pain people are trying to escape. Many struggles remain invisible. Some of the people who appear happiest or most successful may be carrying hidden burdens. This reinforces the importance of kindness, genuine connection, and creating safe spaces where people feel comfortable asking for help before reaching a crisis point. For me, meaningful conversations and early support can make a significant difference.
You have also spoken about elderly parents being emotionally displaced or abandoned by their children. Why do you feel society is still not discussing this issue enough, especially within South Asian communities?
Many conversations are taking place, but they are not always heard widely enough. Numerous individuals and organisations are doing important work, often with limited resources and support. It is heartbreaking to see elderly people facing loneliness, neglect, or poor health when they deserve dignity, comfort, and care. Every family situation is unique, but I believe all individuals deserve compassion and respect. As a behavioural health professional, I strongly support holistic care that addresses emotional wellbeing, physical health, medical support, and social connection. As people age, these areas become increasingly important. They deserve not just survival, but dignity, comfort, and quality of life. While my awareness began within South Asian communities, I believe this is a global issue that deserves greater attention.
As someone who works closely with human behaviour and emotional wellbeing, what are some silent struggles you believe modern women are facing today?
Many women continue to experience emotional pain, exhaustion, unrealistic expectations, and the challenge of balancing multiple responsibilities. Society often expects women to be caregivers, professionals, partners, and nurturers simultaneously. While many manage these roles successfully, it can come at an emotional cost. Greater awareness of emotional wellbeing, communication, and emotional intelligence is needed. People may silently struggle with loneliness, cultural expectations, betrayal, or difficulty expressing their needs. Creating safe spaces where people can communicate honestly without judgment is essential if we want to foster healthier individuals, families, and communities.
How are you preparing mentally and physically for Mrs Globe in California next month?
Mentally, I already feel prepared for the journey ahead. I do not believe I need to become someone different to succeed. I will step onto that stage as myself. Receiving this opportunity was an emotional moment because it represented years of hard work, growth, and commitment. When I received the title, I felt excitement, pride, gratitude, and moments of emotional overwhelm. There were happy tears, quiet celebrations, and a deep sense of responsibility.
My preparation focuses on maintaining good physical and mental health, staying active, and building confidence through wellbeing. I am also excited to visit California and represent Australia on an international stage.
When you walk onto that stage as Mrs. Australia, what aspects of Sri Lankan culture or identity do you hope to carry with you?
My heritage is an important part of who I am. My parents gave me values such as kindness, sincerity, resilience, morality, and a strong sense of right and wrong. Those lessons continue to shape my life. At the same time, I have been able to combine professional achievement with a lifelong passion for pageantry. As Mrs. Australia, I look forward to meeting women from around the world and learning from their experiences. Every woman on that stage carries her own story, journey, and strengths. The qualities I carry most strongly are kindness, sincerity, resilience, forgiveness, and compassion. Those values transcend culture and create meaningful connections wherever we go.
Regardless of the competition's result, what impact do you hope your journey will have on women and the wider community?
Every candidate enters the competition with the goal of winning. However, this journey is shared with many remarkable women, each bringing her own strengths and purpose. The impact I hope to make did not begin with pageantry. Mental health advocacy, suicide prevention, supporting vulnerable individuals, and caring for the elderly have always been important to me. This title has provided a larger platform to connect with more people, build stronger networks, and create positive change more effectively. If people remember me, I hope it will be for the legacy I leave behind, because my journey is not about visibility or attention. It is about impact.
As she embarks on this exciting international journey, we wish Taniya Jayasinghe every success at Mrs. Globe 2026. With her passion for advocacy, commitment to empowering others, and pride in both her Sri Lankan heritage and Australian identity, she stands as an inspiring example of what can be achieved through purpose, perseverance, and service to others. May this experience create new opportunities to amplify the causes closest to her heart and inspire women across communities to pursue their dreams with confidence.
