Jessia’s ideal Valentine’s Day date

Say whatever you want about Jessia Islam, but there's no denying that whatever stunt she pulls off, it invariably grabs Bangladesh's attention. 2024 was no exception, as she  once again had found herself in the limelight while competing in an international beauty pageant. One of her outfits—a veil featuring slogans and hashtags from the July Uprising—sparked both immense praise and a tad bit of criticism as well back home.

However, we caught up with Jessia just a couple of days before Valentine's Day, and naturally, much of our conversation centred around this day exclusively dedicated to celebrating love and romance.

"I think Valentine's Day is a beautiful and positive occasion because it's all about love," Jessia shared. "It doesn't have to be just about your partner—it can also be about your loved ones, your family, and even your pets."

She added with a smile, "For me, it's a day to feel happy, to feel loved and to share love as well; but most importantly, it's a chance to look really, really good!"

Hearing the excitement in her voice about dressing up, we couldn't resist asking what she planned to wear for the occasion.

"I recently ordered a very pretty red gown. It just arrived, and I haven't even tried it on yet, but I'm really excited to wear it on Valentine's," she shared enthusiastically.

However, the lighthearted conversation took a slight turn when Jessia admitted that Valentine's Day hadn't always been the merriest occasion for her—mostly because she often found herself single when it rolled around.

"Somehow, I always end up being single around Valentine's Day, and this year is no different. I thought it would be, but turns out I'll be going in solo again," she said. "We had planned to go on a date, but now I'm not so sure—that might not be happening after all."

Was she subtly letting out some of her pent up frustration regarding what sounded like a recent heartbreak?

"Yes," Jessia chuckled.

For Jessia, Valentine's Day isn't about being showered with extravagant gifts or grand gestures. She's also outgrown the idea of celebrating with a fancy dinner, finding it a bit outdated. What truly excites her is spending the day engaging in fun, adventurous activities with a special someone.

"I've always enjoyed doing something active and sharing joyful moments with my partner. I'd much rather go on a boat ride, try something sporty like go-karting, or even just watch a movie—it's simple, fun, intimate and ideal," she explained.

But how does go-karting fit in with her glamorous red gown?

"Well, I haven't figured that out yet," Jessia laughed. "Let's see how the day unfolds."

Before shifting the conversation to her ongoing career pursuits, Jessia emphasised the importance of self-love, challenging the idea that having a partner is necessary to feel fulfilled on occasions like Valentine's Day.

"Loving yourself is the first and most important thing," she shared. "You need to learn to enjoy your own company and celebrate yourself. For me, whether it's Valentine's Day or not, and whether I'm spending it with a boyfriend or alone, what truly matters is celebrating my own life and existence."

Jessia dropped a surprising revelation after that. Despite rising to national and even international fame through beauty pageants, she shared that she doesn't see herself participating in another one anytime soon.

"Last year was my third time competing in a beauty pageant, and it really drained me," she admitted. "So, I don't think I'll be participating in such competitions again."

As a model, her schedule gets packed before Ramadan and Eid with photoshoots and brand interviews, which she's looking forward to. Recently, Jessia also ventured into hosting and anchoring for the first time. She hosted the Sylhet leg of the Bangladesh Premier League opening concerts and the 'Burning Crab' music festival in Cox's Bazar last month, marking a new chapter in her career.

"It's really fun hosting on stage and doing flash interviews. I've been on the other side of the microphone plenty, so I know what questions to ask and what not to. It's quite a lot of fun," she concluded.