A photo posted by Siera Bearchell (@sierabearchell) on Jan 17, 2017 at 10:26am PST

MANILA – Miss Universe Canada 2016 Siera Bearchell took to social media to share a message about body diversity amid comments by netizens that she has gained a lot of weight.

In an Instagram post, Bearchell mentioned that someone told her she is “losing points” in the Miss Universe pageant because of her weight gain.

“While I am first to say I am not as lean as I was when I was 16, 20, or even last year, I am more confident, capable, wise, humble and passionate than ever before,” she said. “As soon as I started to love who I was rather than always trying to fit what I thought society wanted me to be, I gained a whole new side of life.”

She continued: “This is the side I am trying to bring to the Miss Universe competition, the side of life that is so rare to find: self-worth and self-love. We always focus on the things we wish we could change rather than loving everything we are.”

Comments poured in from around the globe, most of them telling Bearchell to not let herself be affected by negative comments about her body.

“I am overwhelmed with all of your beautiful comments and kind words. Thank you all so much from my heart to you!” she wrote.

It was previously announced that plus-size model Ashley Graham will be the backstage host of the 65th Miss Universe pageant, set to be held in Manila on January 30.

The move is considered groundbreaking for beauty pageants, which are known for having contestants with lean or slim bodies.

Last year, reigning titleholder Pia Wurtzbach of the Philippines lauded Mirella Paz Baylon for being the first plus-size contestant to make it to the Top 10 of the Miss Peru pageant.