Former Miss Universe and the mentor of Miss Diva 2016 finalists Lara Dutta says she's on the lookout for a candidate with not just a personal style statement, but also someone who is distinct from "cookie cutter beauty queens". Hmmm... let’s here from the former beauty queen herself.

“I am looking for someone with a very personal style statement and who is totally different from your cookie cutter beauty queen. I don't want someone giving me same answers the same way. I am happy with the bunch we have got (this year)," said Lara.

Lara Dutta won the Miss Universe title in the year 2000. The beauty queen is currently monitoring 16 girls who are competing for the title of Miss Diva 2016. The beauty queen was also the show stopper for the ongoing Lakme Fashion Week Winter-Festive 2016 in India for designer Esha Ami.

"Both of us have a synergy, we work well together. A lot of times I am stuck in my head about something that I want to do and she will bring a special sort of an outlook to that. I think we find that middle path to work on and she allows me to wear the silhouettes that I think I look best in. And she also keeps bringing in newer things to try," said Lara sharing how much she enjoyed working with the designer.

Amidst all the hustle and bustle of the pageant, the Miss Diva 2016 contestants recently took to some serious training, as the divas attended a grooming session with experts Mr. Viram Datta and Sanjeev Datta. The finalists were trained on the various aspects important for the pageant, such as performance, body posture etc.  The experts conducted a group as well as a one on one conversation with the contestants, preparing them for the gala finale.

Also Read : Swe Zin Htet crowned as Miss Supranational Myanmar 2016