Hello Miss South Africa, Miss Universe 2019!
“The world doesn’t want a model, they want a role model.”
These words rang so true for me.
As the daughter of a state-title holding beauty queen, I’m always hurt when a friend texts me saying they’re going to watch the Miss Universe or Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show (when it still aired) and harshly the girls while eating some sort of junk food. Let’s admit something right out of the gate; we are jealous about these gorgeous women and their flawless abs and perky glutes! If we weren’t, we wouldn’t be talking about them. However, you can’t be mad at a woman who is willing to put in more work than you.
First of all, these types of people to judge these women so harshly, do you even realize what it is that you’re doing and saying? You’re judging someone based solely from their looks. What I love about these pageants, weather it be the America or USA circuit, is the round of questions. Featuring questions on very controversial topics, these women know they are not going to please EVERYONE with their answers. It is clear that you find the winner, Miss World or Miss Universe, when she answers honestly and with conviction.
Someone who isn’t afraid of back lash with hope of making a difference around her is a true queen. Beauty only reaches a certain depth. Physical appearance is subjective, yet the ability to connect and inspire others stretches to another dimension. True beauty really does come from within. Compassion, intelligence and wit are just a few key components of the depth a woman needs to be classically beautiful and successful in these competitions.
What differentiated your Miss Universe 2019, Miss South Africa, from the rest was her conviction and her passion for her platform. From the beginning I knew she would be a finalist. You couldn’t forget her. The way she spoke, the way she faced the camera. Her fearlessness to be different from all the women, but without an attitude of being superior to anyone. Even from the other side of a television set, you can almost feel the difference between the women’s energies. My mom and I both loved Miss Iceland, but in my mom’s words, “I wish she had more energy in swimwear”. You really can project your energy.
Miss Puerto Rico was absolutely beautiful and plenty intelligent, with a lovely platform. However, she worked the cameras too hard and was a bit too “safe” in her answers. Also, her platform was very broad. I’m all about women (and men) being comfortable in their own skin and being proud of their individuality.
However…
It is not enough to tell youth that self-acceptance is all that you need. Satisfaction with your life is a constant battle. It’s a battle of the brain, and a discipline that requires serious dedication.
Miss South Africa made that distinction and won the crown with her answers. She was so consistent and so honest with her answers, you couldn’t help but be compelled to listen. Her platform is also very important to the world today, and it needs the attention that a global ambassador, like Miss Universe, can provide. She didn’t just encourage young girls and women to believe in themselves, but to believe that they are capable. That they are worthy. That they deserve the same chance to a quality life as anyone else, no matter where they are in the world.
The most memorable thing she said through the night, in my opinion, were three words: Take up space.
Ladies. We need to take up space! If we are not taking up the space, someone else will move into that spot without thinking twice.
Let’s be frank here girlies, these women work HARD, to stay in competition form. I will refer to peak physical state for these pageant/modeling women as “competition form” because let’s be honest, modeling is a competition itself.
IF you think about it, you can only be jealous of these women for having a different genetic makeup than you. What you can’t be mad about is their dedication to physical fitness and commitment to a strict, healthy diet. Read that again. You cannot be mad at another woman for making choices and healthy habits that yield a positive result on her physical and emotional state.
You are in control of your future, your environment and your choices.