A Talk with Roneeshma Shrestha

Roneeshma’s journey is simple but powerful, trying, learning, and never giving up. From shy beginnings to celebrated stages, she inspires through every step.

 

Beyond the stage and spotlight, who is Roneeshma? 

This question reminded me of a core memory from school, you know, when the teacher asked a question and I felt like I knew the answer but was too shy to raise my hand. I ended up hiding behind a friend, and then later, when someone else said the answer, I realized I was right. Slowly, I started raising my hand more, even if I wasn’t completely sure, just to try not for applause or recognition, but just for the feeling of giving it a shot.

And I feel like that’s really who I am, that’s how I’ve always been– spontaneous, “just let me try it. What’s the worst that could happen? Maybe people will laugh, maybe I’ll look a little silly, maybe it’s not for me, but at least I tried.” kinda person. That mindset has stuck with me, and there have been moments my friends and I still laugh at, thinking, oh my God, I gave the stupidest answer! But it’s all just funny memories now, and they’re a part of me.

I feel like I’m someone who loves having fun, and hope that the people around me are enjoying themselves too. I’m always exploring new experiences, learning as much as I can along the way, and just trying to soak up life. Just like my bio says, someone living and figuring out and that is what I am.

 

Roneeshma Shrestha

 

Hosting The Voice of Nepal Seasons 3 and 4 brought you national visibility. How did that experience change your confidence? 

First of all, I was a huge fan of The Voice. I remember watching it with my friends and family and being completely mesmerized by how talented everyone was. We would even recreate the show at home, pretending we were the coaches with spinning chairs, singing to each other and hitting imaginary buzzers. So going from playing The Voice at home to actually hosting it, especially The Voice Kids, felt incredibly surreal.

I’ve always loved being around kids and their energy is so pure and contagious. Of course, television shoots can be quite demanding with long hours and back-to-back schedules, but being around the kids made the entire experience so much more joyful.

And the experience on Television was very different because it has such a massive reach, you’re speaking to millions of people and that realization definitely pushed my confidence to another level.

One of the sweetest parts of the experience has been the people who recognize me now. Earlier, I felt like most of my audience was Gen Z to millennials through the events and content I did. But after The Voice, I started being recognized by people my mom’s age and even my grandmother’s age because they love watching shows like this. It’s always heartwarming when someone excitedly comes up to me and says, “Oh, nani Voice ko host!”

Overall, the show gave me so much learning and a new perspective on hosting. I’m also grateful that the directors encouraged me to stay natural and simply be myself. Looking back, it was definitely one of the major turning points in my journey.

 

 

You’ve shared the stage with artists like Arijit Singh and Atif Aslam. Before stepping in front of massive crowds, how do you prepare yourself mentally? 

Sharing the stage with artists like Arijit Singh and Atif Aslam in front of massive crowds is always a special moment for me. These are artists many of us have grown up listening to and admiring, so there are times when it still feels a little surreal, like, is this really happening?

Of course, moments like that can feel exciting but also a little intimidating. I still feel that inner child in me getting incredibly happy, but at the same time the scale of it can be overwhelming. What helps me is taking the last five to ten minutes before going on stage to center myself. I remind myself that I’m there for a reason and that I deserve to be there. That small conversation with myself really helps balance the excitement and the nerves.

Preparation is also very important. When you’ve practiced and prepared well beforehand, you naturally feel more grounded once you step on stage. At the same time, my work often requires being spontaneous and handling impromptu moments, so staying focused is key.

And honestly, I still have that fangirl in me and I think that helps. I bring that genuine excitement to the stage while still keeping it professional. At the end of the day, I just remind myself to stay real and be myself when I’m up there

 

 

With such high-energy shows, does pressure ever get overwhelming? How do you stay composed? 

I think a big part of it comes from the kind of person I’ve always been. Since childhood, I’ve been very playful and energetic; someone who loved running around, playing games, and being spontaneous. Even as I grew up, I remained quite adventurous and go-with-the-flow in my approach to life.

That mindset has helped me a lot in my career. My work often requires me to be spontaneous and handle last-minute situations, and I think I’ve naturally grown comfortable with that. In fact, a bit of pressure sometimes excites me because it pushes me to stay sharp and present.

High-energy shows are all about creating a connection with the audience. I bring my energy to the stage, and the audience gives that energy right back, which really fuels me.

At the same time, I try to stay as organized and prepared as possible. And just before going on stage, I usually take a few minutes to center myself. After that, I step on stage with an open mind, ready to handle whatever comes my way.

 

 

Being invited to host Coke Studio Bharat in India was a milestone. What did representing Nepal on that stage mean to you? 

It was magical. Being invited to host for Coke Studio Bharat was truly a milestone for me. Even when I flew from Nepal and stepped onto that stage, it still didn’t fully feel real.

At that moment, I felt like a girl carrying many dreams and representing Nepal — a country known not just for its rich culture and heritage, but also for how incredible, sweet, giving, and warm its people are. I definitely felt a responsibility to represent that spirit in the best way I could. At the same time, it was a huge personal turning point, being invited internationally to host a platform of that scale.

Growing up, after Nepali shows, many of us also watched Indian shows, and Coke Studio has always been one of the most iconic music platforms. Sharing the stage with artists like Shreya Ghoshal was incredibly mindblowing. When people say “omg you shared the stage with her at coke studio bharat”, i still get goosebumps and am still surprised that i did that haha

More than anything, the experience taught me so much. From the organizers to my co-hosts and the audience, I learned from everyone involved. I’ve carried those lessons back to Nepal and try

to bring that energy and insight into every show I host. It was a truly meaningful moment in my journey and one that continues to inspire me to aim higher.

 

 

You started working while still pursuing your bachelor’s degree. What made you want real-world experience so early? 

I think there are two sides to this. On the serious side, I was always inspired by the women in my family — my mom and others who are so independent — and I’ve always craved that for myself. Financial independence has become something I really value because it changes you in such a positive way. It builds confidence, makes you clearer about what you deserve, and motivates you to achieve more.

On the lighter side, I grew up watching all sorts of TV shows and movies, and I was definitely influenced by them, seeing characters go to work and how fun it seemed. But I’ll admit, I was also fooled by the term “adulting,” only to realize it’s not like the movies or fairy tales — it’s a lot of hard work to build your dreams and make things happen. Still, I do think starting early was the best thing for me.

So for me, it’s a mix of both — wanting financial independence and learning early what it really takes to chase your goals.

 

Hosting the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour 2026 alongside Gilberto Silva must have been unforgettable. What did that moment teach you about your growth? 

One of the most unforgettable moments for me was sharing the stage with a legend like Gilberto Silva during the FIFA World Cup Trophy Tour 2026. That moment taught me that truly nothing in this world is impossible if you have dedication, passion, sincerity, and just stay real. You can achieve things you never even dreamed of.

Honestly, this wasn’t something I ever imagined happening. But because of the journey I’ve been on and the work I’ve put in, it became possible. Standing there, seeing the FIFA World Cup trophy live in his hands, I literally had to rub my eyes and remind myself — this is real!

The moment was even more special because I knew how much it meant to my brothers, who are huge fans. Being part of that experience was surreal — a true “pinch me” moment that made me realize how far dedication and staying true to yourself can take you.

 

 

You also explore music videos and digital content creation. How different is it to step into a character versus being your authentic self as a host? 

After working and gaining experience for a few years now, one thing I’ve realized is that if you have the hunger and passion for something, you can do anything. Even as a host, depending on the show, I sometimes step into a little bit of a “character,” but it’s always rooted in being me.

When it comes to music videos or ads, you often have to completely become someone else, and that’s something that really excites me. It’s a challenge that makes me happy, and I’m looking forward to exploring it more. I’ve done a few projects, like a long-form emotional ad, and I was honestly surprised that people connected with it. Moments like that make me think, okay, maybe I should try more of this.

That said, hosting will always be my first priority. But digital content creation naturally comes along with my work creating for brands and my personal content and I like to keep it as real and natural as possible, just being myself. Of course, balancing everything can get overwhelming. There have been times I went inactive for days because of back-to-back shows, shoots, and social media, but I’m learning to manage it better.

For me, the best part is that when you’re not pretending to be someone else, everything just comes out naturally, whether it’s hosting, acting, or creating content.

 

 

As you continue evolving, what kind of stage or space are you dreaming of next? 

I just hope life keeps surprising me in the best ways, because the past few years have been so magical. I want to keep doing things that, even if it inspires just one person, makes them think, if she can, I can too.

For me, it’s all about creating magic and putting my best into everything I do. Whatever the stage or space is next, I hope I never stop challenging myself, exploring new possibilities, and continuing to create work that resonates and inspires.

And honestly, if there’s a little mischief, fun, or unexpected chaos along the way; I’m here for it.

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