Angel Bhathal: Reimagining What It Means to Be Queen

When we at Empyreal Magazine set out to spotlight women who define elegance in the modern age, one name shone brighter than the rest: Dr. Angel Bhathal, Swimsuit USA International 2025 Queen. To call her beautiful is an understatement. Angel represents a new vision of royalty—where intelligence, compassion, and cultural pride stand alongside glamour. Her presence is a reminder that true queenship is not just about how one looks in the spotlight, but about the strength and grace carried into every space she enters.

The Many Facets of Angel

We first met Angel not simply as a reigning queen, but as a woman of remarkable depth. Born in Winnipeg—affectionately called “Winterpeg”—her journey from snow-dusted streets to international runways feels poetic. A Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of Alberta and a licensed Pharmacist, Angel proves that intellect and beauty can coexist. She is equally at home in a pharmacy advising patients as she is on a runway commanding attention. This balance reflects a new kind of leadership—one built on ambition, adaptability, and authenticity. Her story is also one of resilience. Growing up as an Indian Canadian in a small city, she often searched for role models with the same roots as her. She found them in icons like Miss Universe 2000, Lara Dutta of India, and later her mentor, Miss Universe 2005, Natalie Glebova of Canada. Their triumphs lit a fire within Angel, inspiring her to pursue pageantry with conviction. Representation gave her permission to dream boldly, and today she carries that same torch forward, becoming the example she once sought.

A Crown of Firsts

Angel’s win at Swimsuit USA 2025 was more than personal—it was historic. She became the first woman with a doctorate, the first Canadian, the first woman of color of Indian descent, and the eldest contestant to ever wear the crown. Each “first” was a barrier broken, proving the stage is wide enough for every kind of brilliance. Her success redefined expectations and reminded us that beauty is not confined to one age, one culture, or one story. As she told us, “Every ‘first’ is a barrier broken—and I hope my win encourages women to embrace every part of who they are.” That vision of courage and inclusivity is what makes her reign resonate far beyond pageantry.

A Year of Grace in Motion

Angel’s tenure as Queen has been a whirlwind of travel, fashion, and media. She has judged pageants in New Mexico, Florida, and New York; walked runways at Los Angeles, Miami, Palm Beach, Niagara Falls, and New York Fashion Week; and emceed red carpets across the country. Each appearance revealed another layer of her versatility, showing her ability to command a room while remaining approachable. She also engaged with global audiences at events like CES in Las Vegas. Whether on stage or in conversation, Angel balances magnetism with humility. She treats every moment not only as a personal achievement but as a shared experience with those who believed in her, making her reign feel collaborative and inclusive.

Beyond the Crown

Her ambitions stretch beyond Swimsuit USA. Angel dreams of stepping onto the Miss Universe stage, bringing her journey full circle. For her, it is less about another title and more about leaving a mark on history. Until then, she continues to nurture her scientific career while pursuing creative paths, proving that fulfillment comes from honoring every passion rather than choosing just one. For young women watching, Angel’s story shows that balance is possible—that intellect and artistry, culture and individuality, can thrive together. She leads by example, redefining what it means to succeed on one’s own terms.

The Quiet Radiance of a Queen

What sets Angel apart is her quiet radiance. She is articulate without pretension, ambitious without arrogance, and graceful without effort. Her beauty is inseparable from kindness, intelligence, and consideration. In her, we see the kind of Queen who inspires not only through what she achieves, but through how she carries herself. As Empyreal Magazine continues to celebrate artistry, travel, and style, we are honored to spotlight Dr.Angel Bhathal—not only as the face of Swimsuit USA 2025, but as a timeless example of modern

queenship: a reign defined by both crown and conscience.