LAS VEGAS (Las Vegas Sun) - The 2012 Miss Universe Pageant on Dec. 11 was moved today from the
proposed location of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic to Las Vegas on December 19, although Planet
Hollywood has played host to recent Miss America and Miss USA Pageants,
while the 2010 Miss Universe Pageant was at Mandalay Bay.
The
move might mean that our
hometown events executives are footing a $6 million site fee to help
defray costs of contestants, staff, hotels, transportation, meals and
more for the extraordinary logistics involved in the two-hour NBC
telecast to more than 100 countries.
The telecast date of Donald
Trump’s pageant clashes with the final big event of the our year, the
PRCA National Bullriding Finals from Dec. 6-15. Officials say that
although the Dominican Republic wanted to boost tourism with the
pageant, it couldn’t come up with the $6 million because of its current
economic crisis.
The Miss Universe Pageant was here in 2010 when
Mexican beauty Jimena “Ximena” Navarrete won the title. Real estate
mogul Donald also has held his Miss USA Pageant here at Planet Hollywood
for the past few years, with Miss Rhode Island Olivia Culpo the
reigning Miss USA.
EXCLUSIVE: Beauty Connections with Natasha Sibaja, Costa Rica's candidate for Miss International 2012!
Profile:
Name: Natasha Sibaja
Age: 21
Height: 1.68 m. tall.
BM: Tell us briefly about yourself, your family, and your hometown
NATASHA: I was born in a small city south of Costa Rica called Perez Zeledon, specifically in San Isidro del General, it is a beautiful place very exquisite in natural beauty, one example of it is Cerro Chiripo which is the highest mountain in the country and from which you can admire many of the beauties from which Costa Rica has been blessed, really it is a beautiful city which I love with all my heart, proudly generalena!
I am very united to my maternal family, it is a numerous family and one of my best childhood memories were the birthday parties and Christmas reunions in which we all visited the house of my grandparents and prepared tamales to celebrate! But I must say that the pillar of my formation as a human being I owe it to my mother. We are very united and she was, is, and will always be my greatest support! I can describe myself as a very entrepreneurial person.
I have always considered that dreams are the maximum banner of human beings, and that if you love something with passion it is your duty to fight to reach that dream, no matter what others say, what they think or how complicated it can be, they are your dreams, your aspirations, your future and your own realization as a person which is why I have taken the decisions that will help me reach my ideals little by little with each day, one of the most important ones was to start studying medicine, in which at the present time I am preparing for the Licenciatura, becoming a Medic is my greatest desire, because in that way I will be able to offer my solitary help to those people that require support in tough moments, and being able to give a little relief to a person that is suffering, I consider will be my greatest satisfaction and the way in which God will help me achieve my mission.
Of course my other great passion have been Beauty Contest, not only because of the meaning that it posses to make a woman feel beautiful but to be a Crown not an end but a mean to reach an objective: Helping, this is why I want to unite this two great passions to achieve great things in favor of those who need it, all of this if God may allow me!
BM: What made you a standout in this competition?
NATASHA: I made the decision to participate in this contest because I saw in it a way to fulfill myself as a woman, to put at test my capabilities and to feel myself proud of a new stage in my life, but the most important part is that I visualized to channel help for a great cause, a true meaning to a Crown and a Title of Miss and that cause is named “Gotitas de Amor” a noble project that provides food aid to many children of scholar age, and to families at social risk also, therefore this has become my motivation now and the reason to give my full effort at Miss International 2012.
BM: How would you describe a typical day in your life?
NATASHA: My typical day is very active! Generally I wake up at 5:30 am, I go jogging for 30 minutes, then I eat breakfast and then get ready for my medical rotation at the hospital which is around 8:00 am, then until midday generally, then in the evening I go to the university to take my theoretical lessons, at night around 6:30 pm I go to the gymnasium and or basketball training, depending on the day, and during the nights y study and do my runway practices.
BM: In one word, how would you describe your personality?
NATASHA: Entrepreneur, because I like to assume challenges and learn everything that is possible ant that will allow me to be a better person.
BM: Aside from winning the national pageant title, what is your best
accomplishment so far?
NATASHA: Finishing my degree in medical sciences is one of my achievements, and I know it is the way to offer my help to other people.
BM: Who/ what inspires you to win this competition?
NATASHA: My mother because she gave me maximum support in all the stages of my life, she has always been there to support me, but also in this occasion I must admit that I also gave courage to myself! I said: “Natasha this is your dream and your moment to achieve it!” If one does not encourage themselves then you will never achieve anything that you propose, this is the importance of the strength and perseverance of what you wish for.
BM: How would you define beauty?
NATASHA: Beauty is everything the brings joy to your heart, the moments that make you realize as a person and give you happiness, for me that is beauty.
BM: Can you share to us your beauty secrets?
NATASHA: Well, I have few beauty secrets, but I assure you that they work. Drinking lots of water, this allows the body to be hydrated and healthy. Once in a week sleeping with the hair covered with olive oil, this gives an exceptional brightness! Eating grapes also help as they are powerful antioxidants and also posses a lot of benefits.
I hope that they work as they do for me.
BM: For you, which is the most important, physical beauty or inner beauty?
Why?
NATASHA: As Socrates said: “Beautiful faces are those that reveal the light in the face of a pleasant soul.” Intern beauty must be the most important aspect before everything else, because it is your essence as a person and what gives you your identity. If you can make happy the people who you love, and you feel sure of yourself as a person, you will be enjoyable as a human being. Of course it is very important to have a healthy diet and an exercise routine to live a healthy life, but essentially it is your spirit.
BM: How about your fashion sense and style?
NATASHA: I love fashion, specially the one that makes women look sophisticated and elegant, conserving the subtlety and delicate lines. My favorite designer is Vera Wong.
BM: If you will be granted three wishes from a genie, what would it be and
why?
NATASHA: Probably I would ask to be able to travel around the world with my beloved ones and to be able to visit beautiful destinies, to have my own Medic Hospital specialized in autoimmune diseases, and to revert global warming and the damage done to the planet in the last decades.
BM: How would you describe the color RED to a blind person?
NATASHA: Passion. All the intense emotions in life could be describe with the color red, love, happinness, euphoria.
BM: For you, which comes first, family or career?
NATASHA: Definitely my family, they are the most precious gift that God has given to me, but also for the same reason I want to assure my support to them in the future by the job that my professional career will allow me.
BM: Any tips for success?
NATASHA: I would like to share some tips:
Believe in yourself! To achieve great things you need to consider yourself able to do it.
Never stop dreaming, that is your motive to fight every day with force, love so much your dream that you will hold on to it with passion.
Never justify your dreams, to others it may seem like something insignificant but for you they are, and that’s what is valuable, how big you can become for yourself.
BM: What is your message to your supporters and readers of Beauty Mania?
NATASHA: First of all a big hug from Costa Rica!! I hope that you all like the work that we have been realizing at Reinas de Costa Rica, all our effort is with big love and we hope to count with the support of each one of you at Miss International 2012! Thanks Beauty Mania for this interview and for being with us so much! A kiss, I love you all!!
John Marlon Marcia, Mister Universe Model Philippines 2012
The national director of Mister Universe Model-Philippines has finally spoken about the controversies surrounded at the Mister Universe Model 2012 pageant. A MUST READ!
This thread is made just to answer the
speculations and inquisitive mind of the public around the Universe.The
main purpose of these is to voice out our thoughts, insights and
feelings on behalf of Mr. Philippines and the hard working Philippine
Team..We are not here to destroy the image of Mister Universe Model
Organization,,,or hurts feelings of somebody else....because Mr.
Philippines did not win..
John Marlon Marcia (current Mister
Universe Model-Philippines 2012) was a winner of Mister Phlippines Model
2011 Search.This 18 yrs old lad is a native of Zambales, Philippines.
He is second year Tourism Student at Far Eastern University.
Last year, 2011,,He was chosen to represent Phílippines in Mister
Universe Model 2011 at Dominican Republic...During that time, the
Philippine team paid 1,000 US Dollar as Francise Fee..Unfortunately
because of Transit visa issue at Spain,,He did not represent the
country. His franchise fee was forfeited, we understand that,,,we dont
have any questions and complaints.
This year of 2012,for the
second time around, the Philippine team did their best to prepare Marlon
for Mister Universe Model 2012. We are determíned to partícipate in
this competition. As early as April 2012, we applied for his Domínican
Republic Visa. Unfortunately, the Consul of Dominican Republic Embassy
in the Philippines went home for 3 weeks,,His visa was approved first
week of June.
During those time, we decided to make
alternative route for Mr. Philippines travel itinerary.We don't have
enough time to apply Transit visa again ín Spanish Embassy,,instead, he
can travel via Moscow Russia without transit visa. DUE TO VISA DELAY
ISSUE, THE COST OF AIR TICKET EXCEEDS TO OUR TARGET BUDGET...in that
case,, Philippine Team needs to PRIORITIZE,,,things....AIR
TICKET VS FRANCHISE FEE.....We don't like to pay FRANCHISE FEE in
advance, if we are NOT SURE THAT MR. PHILIPPINES HAS VISA AND AIR
TICKET. On the top of that, we need to pay as well the cost of
wardrobes, costumes and the 4 hours land transport of Mr. Philippines
from airport to hotel in Dominican Republic. He was late that's why he
didn't have pick up in the airport.
Mr. Philippines was late
because, we cannot find connecting flight from Bangkok to Russia, SUÍTED
TO HIS TRAVEL TIME NEEDS. HE ONLY ALLOW TO STAY IN RUSSÍA AIRPORT LESS
THAN 24 HOURS, OTHERWISE, VISA IS REQUIRED...ANOTHER REASONS WHY HE WAS
LATE BECAUSE THE ONLY AIRLINE TRAVEL FROM RUSSIA TO DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
FLY TWICE A WEEK...SO WE REALLY NEEDS TIMING AT RIGHT TIME.
The
Pilippine National Director decided to Prioritize his Air tickets,
luggage and pocket money then FRANCISE FEE LATER. (after few days)....
Our Humble sides:
1. We understand that, it is responsiblity of National Director to pay
the Franchise Fee on time,,We never ever deny that financial obligation,
but the case of Mr. Pilippines is different as mentioned.
2.
While Mr. Philippines is on his way, we emailed the organiser that
franchise fee payment will be late for few days. We know he is not happy
and upset but everything is booked and prepared, Franchise fee can be
sorted out later, the most important thing is, Mr. Philippines will be
arrived in Dominican Republic, no matter what. We cannot cancelled
everything during those time.
3. It was so disappointing from
us, when we heared the rumor that Mr. Philippines will be sent home
because National Director did not pay franchise fee on time. Why they
need to broadcast that issue all over the world... Where is their
respect to Philíppines? Where is the Business relationship? Where is the
generosity and hospitality of Dominican people for the first timer like
us?
4. We never ever forget, the time they wake up Mr.
Philippines at the middle of the night, just to ask for the Franchise
fee..How sad? I cant imagined the psychological pressure and embarrassment of Mr. Philippines in the eye of the world..
5. If
that is the issue and rules,,,It should be INTERNAL ARRANGEMENT, if
they really want to send Mr Philippines back home. It is so inhuman,
barbaric and unfair to put Mr. Philippines on that embarrassing situation.
6. In that case, we asked negotiation and
consideration...in connection to Mr. Phílippines and Team's efforts, his
preparation, psychological mood and 3 days travel, plus the cruelty at
Russian Passport control.
7. The organiser is so difficult to
talk to...RULE IS RULE,,,,We don't have choíce, but to give the pocket
money of Mr. Philippínes as initial payment,,,to allow him to continue
his participation...God knows how difficult and stressful to Philippine
Team that situation,,Many bad comments we receíved, many people were
asking what is going on? We need to keep quite for the safety,
protection and well being of Mr. Philippines.
7. April 13, (the
original date of grand final), early in the morning, Dominican time,
Philippine National Director, paid the remaíning fee, CONSIDERING MR.
PHILIPPINES ONLY STAY IN THE COMPETITION FOR ONE WEEK..
8. Mr.
Philippines was not at home during the competition. It was a nigtmare,
that he wont forget on his life. For us, Mr. Philippines was not
deserved to treat like that because of money.. We told to the
organiser that,, MONEY CAN BE EARNED AGAIN BUT THE BROKEN RELATIONSHÍP
IS SO DIFFICULT TO BE HEALED...WE UNDERSTAND THAT PAGEANT IS A BUSINESS,
BUT ONE FACTOR OF BUSINESS SUCCESS IS GOOD PUBLIC RELATÍONSHIP...
Mr. Philippines arrived ín Manila last Tuesday, July 17. He back again
on his study at the Uníversity. We are disappointed but WE ARE PROUD OF
HIM,,REPRESENTING US AND DID A GOOD JOB...
Perhaps, many people
who will read this thread would disagree and criticize me. Some will
act as BRIGHT PERSON AND PERFECT INDIVIDUAL...but before you say that I
would like to tell you....
" WHO ARE YOU TO JUDGE THE LIFE I
LIVE? I KNOW I'M NOT PERFECT AND I DON'T LÍVE TO BE,, BUT BEFORE YOU
START POINTING FINGERS,,,MAKE SURE YOUR HANDS ARE CLEAN" - BOB MARLEY-
Beauty Mania had a chance to meet one of the stunners in Miss World 2012. She is Silvana Sanchez, Costa Rica's candidate for Miss World 2012. Well, we can say that Silvana is one of the promising beauty queens. She's sweet looking, sexy, and extremely beautiful. Truly a Latina goddess!
Contestant Profile:
Name: Silvana Sanchez Jimenez
Age (as of 2012): 23
Height: 1.80 m.
Hometown: Palmares
BM: Tell us briefly about yourself, your
family, and your hometown.
SILVANA: My country Costa
Rica is a mosaic of natural beauty, featuring vibrant rain forests, picturesque
beaches, and a vast array of plant and animal life.Our culture is based firmly on the ideas of
peace, equality, and respect.
Palmares, where I was
raised, is mostly an agricultural town where the main crop is coffee. We have a
very neighborly, close-knit community.
My dad has been a coffee
farmer since he was 14 years old. He taught me the importance of respecting
nature and that any dream is achievable through hard work and ambition.My mom is a special education teacher.She has shown me the importance of loving and
helping each other through her wonderful example. I also have an older brother who is studying
law and a pet Chihuahua named Chispi.
BM: What made you a standout in this
competition?
SILVANA: I have found that I definitely appreciate things differently
than most people.Coming from a humble
background, I learned early in my life that every door that opened for me was a
blessing that I had to relish.While
being selected to participate in the Miss World pageant is a once in a lifetime
opportunity for every contestant, I think my unique appreciation of even the smallest
moments of this experience will really shine through.
BM: How would you describe a typical day
in your life?
SILVANA: A typical day in my life before I was given the opportunity to
go to Miss World revolved around my family, my university, and working on my
art (whenever I could squeeze in the time!).Since then I have been laser-focused on being the best representative of
Costa Rica that I possibly can.That
includes everything from long hours in the gym and dance studio to my favorite
part- getting deeply involved with a fantastic organization called Ninos Sin
Fronteras, supporting kids that are struggling in the poorest urban
neighborhoods in the country.
BM: In one word, how would you describe
your personality?
SILVANA: Passionate
BM: Aside from winning the national pageant
title, what is your best accomplishment so far?
SILVANA: To me, any opportunity to represent my country on the world
stage is an enormous honor.While
winning the national pageant title was certainly my best accomplishment to date,
I was also selected as the National Geography Bee champion of Costa Rica when I
was 16.While I didn’t win the world
title, I had the unbelievable privilege of representing Costa Rica at the World
Geography Bee in Budapest, Hungary in 2005.
BM: Who/ what inspires you to win this
competition?
SILVANA: The most important aspect of the Miss World pageant is the
“Beauty with a Purpose” portion which highlights organizations around the world
which are serving the needs of sick, hungry, poor, and otherwise
disenfranchised populations.When I was
selected to represent Costa Rica at Miss World, I was inspired to get intensely
involved with a local organization called Ninos Sin Fronteras.Through my experiences working with them, I
have met dozens of poor urban children who truly deserve the attention of the
world.I hope that by winning this
competition, Ninos Sin Fronteras and the children they represent will finally
get the resources they need to thrive.
BM: How would you define beauty?
SILVANA: I believe that when it comes to people, beauty is love.The more love you exude, the more beautiful
you are in the eyes of everyone who is touched by that love.
BM: Can you share to us your beauty
secrets?
SILVANA: Here is the number one secret to be instantly attractive to everyone
around you: project positivity, love, and passion in everything you do.Seriously, it works!
If you combine that with a healthy diet, exercise, and a
stimulated mind, you will gain beauty points that no makeup, haircut, or new
shoes can ever bring you.
BM: For you, which is the most important,
physical beauty or inner beauty? Why?
SILVANA: Beauty is much more than a first physical impression.Beauty is something that transcends the
physical and reaches into the soul of a person.Most important to this inner beauty is how a person treats those around
them and the world as a whole.There is
nothing more beautiful than one who puts the benefit of others above the
benefit of themselves.
BM: How about your fashion sense and
style?
SILVANA: They say that a person’s personality can often be seen in their
personal style.As a passionate and
ambitious Latin woman, I love to where clothes that make me feel feminine,
elegant, and comfortable while still exuding my personality through color and
eye-catching prints.
BM: If you will be granted three wishes
from a genie, what would it be and why?
SILVANA: My first wish would be for all of the organizations represented
by the Miss World contestants to receive the support that they all
deserve.This wish may actually become a
reality through the graciousness of the pageant and its supporters.
My second wish would be for all of the children in the world to
be given the love and support that I have been lucky to receive from my own
friends and family.None of my
accomplishments would have been possible without them, and every child deserves
the same.
While it may be cliché, my third wish would be for lasting peace
to spread around the world.Growing up
in Costa Rica, one of the only countries in the world without a military, I was
taught from a very young age the importance of coexisting peacefully with one
another. This is one of the most important ideals I have learned in my life and
believe it is extremely important to share with all of my neighbors around the
globe.
BM: How would you describe the color RED
to a blind person?
SILVANA: Red is the color of our most powerful emotions- love, anger, and
passion.Imagine seeing all of those
feelings at once and you will see the color red.
BM: For you, which comes first, family
or career?
SILVANA: Spending time on a career is personally satisfying, but spending
time with your family is satisfying for those you love most.For me that is an easy decision- family comes
first.
BM: Any tips for success?
SILVANA: True success comes from a personal feeling of contentment.Find what you love and pursue it with
passionate vigor.
BM:What is your message to
your supporters and readers of Beauty Mania?
SILVANA: I
believe that the most important message for all of the readers of Beauty Mania,
and especially the young girls reading this, is “while many may look to us as
representatives of beauty today, each and every person is uniquely gorgeous in
their own way. Treat all of those around you with respect and love, and you
have already won the most important prize of all.”
A sign of protest: Candidates turned their backs after Mr. Dominican Republic was announced the winner of Mister Universe Model 2012. Some of them walked out. They accused the organizers and judges for their bias and maltreatment against some of the contestants.
Mister Dominican Republic, Erick Jimenez Sabater has been named Mister Universe Model 2012 last July 12. Although the Santiago de los Caballeros native gave his full performance during the finals, many of the pageant observers including the contestants were very upset with the results. Revelations came from the contestants after the pageant, accusing that the pageant was fixed.
From Rhonee Rojas, Mr. Hawaii Universe Model 2012:
I
just wanted to share a few thoughts about Mister Universe Model 2012.
As you can see "a picture paints a thousand words!"
All the contestants
turned their backs towards the "winner" - Dominican Republic in protest
after "winning" the title last night. Every single delegate was angry
and upset. Some of the delegates including myself chose NOT to stand on
stage.
From DAY ONE, we were told that being
Mister Universe Model means that the person who is chosen should have
the TOTAL PACKAGE. It was absolutely unanimous through out the entire
delegation that Mister Dominican Republic did not deserve to win. There
were many other deserving delegates to choose from. Mister Dominican
Republic had a terrible attitude, was very disrespectful to us, came to
events when he wanted to, showed up to rehearsals late or never showed
up at all. Yes he looked great but the committee an organization
allowed him to act the way he did with absolutely no repercussions. He
was given EXTREME SPECIAL TREATMENT from day 1. He was allowed to have
his girlfriend stay in his room making Mister Brazil very
uncomfortable. Also, if we were 1 minute late for something, we were
always called out for it by the organization, but if Mister Dominican
Republic was not on time he would never get in trouble.
We all thought
it was unfair that 8 out of the 10 judges were from the Dominican
Republic and one of them being Mister Dominican Republic's Personal
Trainer. We were merely "decoration" for the contest to look real.
I
also personally thought that some of the judges during the interview
portion of the competition was very rude, especially Judge Damarys
Rubio. She showed favoritism from the start and did not even try to hide
it. During final night she would clap with excitement for those she
liked and shook her head in disgust when she did not like someone. She
made it very visible to everyone. Again, very rude and disrespectful!
During the interview phase, judges were talking to one another,
answering personal phone calls and texting during the interview.
Damarys Rubio was one of those judges. They were distracting,
unprofessional and disrespectful. I tried to give the organization the
benefit of the doubt but after yesterday's events, I truly believe now
that the contest was SET-UP and FIXED for Mister Dominican Republic to
win from the start.
I was also bothered by the fact that the
organization threatened Mister Philippines to leave the contest due to
an unpaid fee. If that was the case, they should of told him that
before he even got there. I truly felt for him. He stayed strong and
positive and I applaud his attitude. He did not deserve to be treated
that way. The organization was very unorganized and biased! I am truly
saddened for the contestants who worked extremely hard for this contest
to then be betrayed by the organization.
After being part of Mister
Manhunt International 2011 and Mister International 2011, this contest
should NOT be considered as one of the TOP Male Pageants in the World. I
absolutely DO NOT recommend ANY COUNTRY to participate in this event. I
have lost all respect for this organization and I truly apologize to
all my friends and family who have supported me along the way. All of
your support words helped me through this experience.
From another contestant (name withheld for protection):
Misters Argentina and Slovenia Republic are far more deserving than Mr. Dominican Republic. [Mr. Dominican Republic] won because majority of the judges were from Dominican Republic!
From another contestant (name withheld for protection):
Mister Italy and Mister Luxembourg as a semi-finalist??? Is this a joke??? No wonder many of us saw them talking to the pageant organizers before the pageant. It pays a lot!
From another contestant (name withheld for protection):
Mr. Dominican Republicwas given special attention, they even allow him to bring his girlfriend to the room even it is against the rules!
From another contestant (name withheld for protection):
Feel pity for Mister Philippines. He was maltreated for not paying the [franchise] fees!
From Daniel Cajiao, Mister Argentina Universe Model:
I will try to be very brief and concise: Argentina ended up in 3rd place possible 27 last night in the final of the Mister universe Model 2012 event. Unfortunately the results were unfair not only to me, but for 25 contestants more than gave the best our during these two weeks.
I must emphasize the large group of contestants that I came in this beautiful experience and also the impoverished, irresponsible, manipulative and shameful actions of the Organization, in particular of Mr Robert Flores, fashion designer and owner of the contest, who at the expense of any principle and/or interest to make this somewhat transparent competition, fix the outcome only thinking at your convenience, since not only the owner of the pageant, but also is the director of Dominican Republic, unfairly winning country (for those who don't know, the winner of this contest does not choose only by beauty physics, but also by qualities like responsibility, punctuality, intelligence, companionship, etc why live during two weeks all together).
With the days going to be watching more and more material about this shameful event.
I finish this review by thanking the people of my country and the world who always supported me, my family, my friends and all those even that put me stones in the road, thanks to you I got much more strong.
This is for, by, and thanks to all of you.
Erick Jiménez Sabater of Dominican Republic (center) was declared the winner of the “Best Body” award of Mister Universe Model 2012. The
competition was held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on July 8..
Mister Argentina, Daniel Cajiao (left) and Mister
Slovenia, Miha Dragos were placed second and third respectively.
Mister Dominican Republic was automatically included in the Top 12.
Miss Universe Model 2012 will be named next Saturday night, in the capital of the Dominican Republic.
Exclusive Beauty Talks with Iris Thomsen, Miss World Denmark 2012!
Photo by Christina Anaya
Fresh. Elegant. Stunning. Three words that describe Miss World Denmark 2012 Iris Thomsen. She's perfect for Miss World since the pageant seeks fresh, elegant-looking, and beautiful women. Iris is definitely one of the hot favorites to win the title Miss World 2012!
PROFILE:
Name: Iris Reuben Adler Thomsen
Age (as of 2012): 25
Height: 1.80 m.
Hometown: Osterbro
BM: Thanks Iris for being with us today. For the benefit of our readers, why don't we start with a brief introduction about you.
IRIS: Well, I was born and raised in
Copenhagen, Denmark. My father is Danish and my mother is Indian, though my
mother’s family moved to Israel in the sixties and she was raised there. This
mix of the three different cultures is something I appreciate greatly, and I understand
that it is a gift. It has given me such an insight into three very different
parts of the world, so somehow I feel I can find common ground with almost
anybody. I have always been interested in other cultures, travelling, and
meeting new people. I am a creative person; I love any kind of art. I have
danced for many years and it is one of my greatest passions, but I also love
walking around museums, exploring libraries, music, fashion – anything where
someone has invested time in expressing something. I view myself as a
hardworking, passionate, positive individual that values friends and family.
I was raised in a traditional
home with traditional values. I have one sister, whom I am very close with,
since we shared a room most of our lives. My parents are both very hardworking,
and I have learned the value of money and work through them. I have a big
extended family on my mother’s side in Israel, and growing up, we always
visited them a couple times a year, so I feel close to them as well.
Copenhagen is a small city with
much diversity. There are many beautiful, old buildings and wonderfully
relaxing parks, I love that about this city. We have many museums that display
a wide variety of art. I think the infrastructure is very good; it is easy to get
places by public transit, but in the summer I use my bicycle to get everywhere.
Another thing I love about this city is that it is very clean, and I hope that
we will continue to take this meticulous care of our city.
Photo by Anis Dhiman
BM: What colour that best describes your personality? Why?
IRIS: Purple is the colour of
creativity, dreams, insight and imagination. I think it suits me very well,
because I have always had a big internal life. I always get lost in my own
thoughts and images. I quite often create movement sequences or lyrics or see
some kind of light or colour that will inspire me to create something.
Photo by Christina Anaya
BM: What will make you a standout in the Miss World 2012 competition?
IRIS: Initially, I think it will be my
positive spirit and passion for my work. My dance training will definitely also
be very handy at the rehearsals, because when I am required to perform, I
perform! Later on, I think it will be my down-to-earth personality and my
personal story. A lot of people will probably also be intrigued by my diverse
background.
Photo by Anis Dhiman
BM: How would you describe a typical day in your life?
IRIS: There is no such thing as a
typical day! Sometimes I cannot even plan a week in advance. Either I am out on
a modelling or a dance job, working hours in a children’s nursery (substituting
for ill personnel), training for my art, or running errands. My schedule is
very flexible, so I can be available for the last-minute jobs that always pop
up.
Photo by Anis Dhiman
BM: Aside from winning the Miss World Denmark 2012 title, what is your best
accomplishment so far?
IRIS: Working
with Mr. Rami Be’er, the choreographer for the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance
Company. I saw the company perform in New York, and was instantly moved. I knew
I wanted to dance with them, but felt I was not good enough. Then a couple of
years later I found out they had a training program, which I auditioned for. At
first, I was rejected, but I insisted on getting a second chance, and explained
to them my passion and willingness to learn; and it worked! After completing one year
of training at their international school, Mr. Be’er noticed me
and invited me to work with him on a project that he had in mind. I really love
the outcome of the project, and I still cannot believe that I had that
experience. I learned so much from him and all the other beautiful dancers that
surrounded me there. I am very proud of myself that I did not take no for an
answer in the beginning, and that I managed to fulfil my dream.
Photo by Anis Dhiman
BM: Who/ what inspires you to win this competition?
IRIS: My
motivation to win is very high. There are many factors that contribute to this.
One of them is the fact that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, there
are no second chances. I have to give it my all.
Another is my family. They have given me so much, even though they did not have
much. Without them, I would not be the person I am today, so I want to make
them proud, and show them that all their sacrifices amounted to something very
good.
Lastly, I have my own ambitions to do great things. I want to help and inspire people to be the best
version of themselves that they can. I already strive to do exactly that, but
with the Miss World organization behind me, I can reach a much larger audience.
Photo by Christina Anaya
BM: How would you define beauty?
IRIS: I
think a beautiful person is someone who is always trying to help others and
always does it with a smile on his/her face. It is someone who has accepted who
he/she is, where he/she comes from and what may lie ahead. A beautiful person
keeps working on his/her virtues and inspires others to do the same by example.
Photo by Anis Dhiman
BM: Can you share to us your beauty secrets?
IRIS: I am
assuming we are talking about physical beauty in this question. Exercise and eating healthy
has always been part of my lifestyle. I do not like sodas, which is coincidently
great for my teeth! I strive to get around 8-9 hours of sleep
every day. I have never smoked in my life and rarely drink caffeine or alcohol.
But the best advice I can give is: love what you do and do what you love. When
you are happy, it shows, and the glow you then give out will shine on all the
people around you.
Photo by Christina Anaya
BM: Do you have any workout routines? What routines help you stay in shape?
IRIS: I
love exercising in a way that engages the whole body at the same time. It makes
more sense to me that way, because the muscles are connected, and if you just
tone the big muscles on the outside, but not the ones that connect the muscles to
each other and the bones, then how is it going to help to fully use your body?
For that reason I love Pilates, yoga and ballet. These types of exercise tone
the whole body at the same time while working on flexibility as well. I am used
to training every day, but some weeks when I am super busy I cannot go to as
many classes as I would love to, but then I do some exercises at home. Also I
ride my bike everywhere during the summer, and I live on the fifth floor
without an elevator! This way I am sure to get at least some exercise every
day, even when I am busy.
Photo by Christina Anaya
BM: In your own opinion, which is the most important, physical beauty or inner
beauty? Why?
IRIS: Inner
beauty, no doubt about it. I have experienced times when I initially thought
someone to be good-looking, but as soon as I learned more about his/her personality, I did
not think so anymore, and vice-versa. It is your actions that have an impact
on the people around you, not your looks.
Photo by Christina Anaya
BM: Can you describe to us about your fashion sense and style?
IRIS: This is a difficult question for me, because I do not
think I have one particular style. In general I can say that I like clothes to
be practical, comfortable and appropriate for where I am going and I like
colours more than patterns. I also like to highlight my eyes and waist, as I
think these features compliment my look the best.
I think we all express something through the way we
style ourselves, even if that is ‘indifference’, and I have definitely gone
through phases in my life where I wanted to express different
things. Coming from a traditional home I grew up wanting to cover myself up
more than I saw others do, then as a teenager I was a bit angry. I started
listening to rock music, tore up my clothes and put it back together with
safety pins. Then I got into the hip-hop culture and wore baggy clothes because
I wanted to be ‘cool.’ Now I definitely have a more ‘grown up’ look, if you can
call it that. I have calmed down and I am much more comfortable in my own skin.
But I still have some baggage from those phases. Even though I sometimes show
more skin now than I did when I was younger, I make sure I do it in a classy,
modest and elegant way. I still like clothes with an ‘edge,’ and I also like
being funky when I go to hip-hop events.
When I need to be fancy or when I
represent my country as Miss World Denmark 2012, I want to express confidence, professionalism, elegance and grace, while still
being down to earth and relatable. This combination is important to me, because
if I want to inspire young girls and boys, it is important that they do not
feel that I am that much different from them. They should be able to see
themselves in me.
Photo by Anis Dhiman
BM: What is the one lesson you learned as a child that still affects
your life today?
IRIS: My
parents have always worked very hard to give my sister and me the things we
needed or wanted. They did not grow up with a lot of money, and neither did we.
My mother did not have a credit card for many years (she always paid in cash,
which is a great way to make sure you keep a budget), and she was always headed
for the sales for a big save. I quickly learned the value of money and hard
work, and already started working at the age of 13, which is the youngest you can be to work in
Denmark. I have always been good at saving up money, and making a little money
go far. I have never taken a loan or been in debt, and I have paid for most
things myself. Besides
that, I was taught to never throw out food that has not gone bad,
and just the thought of it can make me feel bad.
BM: What is the best advice you have given to someone?
IRIS: Being
in the dance industry my entire life, I have experienced times when I doubted
whether or not
this is what I wanted to do. I felt pressured by my family and by society to
find a “real” job or get a “real” education. I spent so many years searching
and not really going for it 100% because I did not believe in myself. Now I
know that what I thought was impossible, is in fact possible! Now I have
younger dancers/students asking me for advice on what to do; if they should go
after their dreams or otherwise try to force themselves
to fit into this box that they feel they should, and I always tell them to
follow their hearts. For some people it makes sense to keep their
passion as a hobby, but for some it does not. It requires getting to know the
business, many hours of hard work, many sacrifices and (in most cases) lots of
patience to make a living out of your talent, but if it is really what you
want, then it is worth it.
Photo by Christina Anaya
BM: How would you define success?
IRIS: Success
is when you reach the goals you have set for yourself, even if they are small, like
starting taking those singing lessons you have thought about for so long. In
business terms, I would
define it as doing something you love and being able to pay your bills doing
so.
It is not easy
to be successful in all areas of your life.
For example, a man may be a successful lawyer and earn a ton of money,
but not a successful father due to his long work hours, so I think it is about
knowing what is important to you, and knowing how to prioritize as well.
BM: What is your message to your supporters and readers of Beauty Mania?
IRIS: Thank
you for taking the time to learn more about me. I hope it has inspired you to
make your own dreams come true, if you have not already. It can seem scary at
first, but as soon as you get started, you realise that the fear is only in
your head. Instead of letting the fear hinder you, imagine it as an opponent
trying to challenge you. Show fear who is the boss!
If
you want to follow my journey in the Miss World competition, please join me on
the following facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Miss-World-Denmark/444253492269265
Special thanks to Ms. Lisa Lents, National Director of Miss and Mister Denmark Organization
