Miss New Jersey shares her favorite beach, breakfast spot, and more about her life and preferences.

Belle Nicholas, a 27-year-old resident of Wenonah, Gloucester County, was recently named Miss New Jersey 2025. A current graduate student in the clinical psychology program at Widener University, Nicholas is dedicated to advocating for mental health issues. Her platform, encompassing a podcast titled “Shout Our Struggle,” aims to foster a supportive culture around mental health, leveraging her personal experiences as a means of education.

Nicholas has garnered approximately ,000 in scholarships over the past four years through her participation in the Miss New Jersey pageant. She is passionate about promoting healthier social media environments, recognizing that platforms can exert a negative influence on the mental well-being of young individuals.

Understanding the profound impact of social media, Nicholas has expressed her enthusiasm for becoming a positive role model within this space, particularly for young audiences experiencing mental health challenges. The importance of addressing these issues has been emphasized by various studies, illustrating the detrimental effects that social media can have on developing minds.

Nicholas’s journey has not been without significant challenges. She was diagnosed with vasovagal syndrome during her college years—an ailment characterized by sudden fainting. This diagnosis, combined with the stressors accompanying her transition from high school to college, culminated in a struggle with anxiety and depression as well as suicidal thoughts. These personal trials have informed her mission, as she aims to share her story to inspire others who may be facing similar hardships.

Originally graduating from James Madison University with a degree in musical theater, Nicholas initially envisioned a career in acting. However, her experiences led her to pivot towards psychology, and she is now preparing to enter a doctoral program at Widener University. Alongside the scholarship opportunities, she credits the Miss New Jersey pageant process with helping her discover her purpose and voice.

Nicholas is set to compete in the Miss America pageant scheduled for September 2025. A former winner of the Miss Seashore Line local pageant, she has embraced her role in the spotlight while remaining committed to her advocacy efforts, particularly those aimed at enhancing mental health awareness and support among youth.

Nicholas’s dedication to both her studies and her community engagement signifies a growing trend within the pageantry landscape, where social impact and personal narratives are becoming increasingly vital components of competition. Armed with her lived experiences, she looks forward to continuing her advocacy and achieving greater visibility for mental health issues, positioning herself as a role model with a unique and impactful story to tell.

As she prepares for her upcoming challenges, including the prestigious Miss America contest, Nicholas remains a notable figure in the realm of mental health advocacy, seeking to inspire others through her journey.