TikTok Craze - Harshitaa Nunkoo: "TikTok has gradually become a source of income"

Rajmeela Seetamonee

Mar 15/07/2025 - 08:33

Harshitaa Nunkoo is the second runner-up of Miss Planet International Mauritius. She created her swimsuit.

With her glasses perched on her nose and long hair, Harshitaa Nunkoo is a well-known figure on TikTok. At 22 years old, she has amassed 3.6 million likes on the platform. On Saturday, June 13th, this resident of the island's north was crowned the second runner-up at the Miss Planet International Mauritius pageant, held at RM Garden in Trianon.

"During the finale, each contestant had to walk the runway in evening gowns. I decided to create my own dress with the help of my mom and grandmother," she explains. The dress took three weeks to make. "One day, while watching a movie, I suddenly envisioned how my dress could look. I then sketched it out and bought the materials. The final result exceeded our expectations," she shares.

She also designed the swimsuit she wore in another segment of the competition. "This pageant has opened many doors for me," states this marketing student.

This was her second time participating in a beauty contest. Last year, she was a first runner-up in an event organized by the Women of Wonders association. For Harshitaa Nunkoo, beauty pageants are a platform to showcase her talent as a fashion designer.

In the past week, she launched her first haute couture collection under the brand "Iriina," a name she coined for her vlog during a trip to Paris, France, where she also attended a concert by American singer Taylor Swift.

The young designer began her journey on Musical.ly at age 15. "Then I was bullied and deleted my account. Later, the platform transformed into TikTok. During the second lockdown in 2021, I returned to it just for fun,” she explains. Quickly, her videos gained views and followers. "I realized that TikTok could become my digital portfolio to showcase my skills as a creator. Plus, I share content about various aspects of my daily life, which has allowed me to collaborate with brands. TikTok has gradually become a source of income," she notes.

She has also experienced trolls. The most recent instance involved a video where she presented a unique way to enjoy noodles. "Not everyone liked it on TikTok. However, on LinkedIn, a professional platform, many appreciated the engagement my video generated and even offered interesting analyses," she explains.

Harshitaa Nunkoo is also taking sewing classes. She dreams of one day opening her own sewing shop.

My TikTok in Numbers

Account Name: @harshitaa_n
Followers: 101.3k
Videos: 628
Likes: 3.6 million
Most Liked Video: 51.7k