EXCLUSIVE: Beauty Connections with Natasha Sibaja, Miss International Costa Rica 2012!

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!!

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EXCLUSIVE: Beauty Connections with Silvana Sanchez, Miss World Costa Rica 2012!

EXCLUSIVE!

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.”

Special Thanks to Reinas de Costa Rica

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EXCLUSIVE: Beauty Connections with Iris Thomsen, Miss World Denmark 2012!

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

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EXCLUSIVE: Beauty Connections with Olivia Culpo, Miss Universe 2012!

Exclusive Beauty Talks with Olivia Culpo, Miss USA 2012, MISS UNIVERSE 2012!

Photo © 2012 Miss Universe L.P., LLLP

Newly crowned Miss USA 2012 Olivia Culpo is one of the girls to watch at Miss Universe 2012 pageant scheduled to be held on December. She was the first beauty queen from Rhode Islands to win the prestigious title of Miss USA 2012. 

Freshness, elegance, style are Olivia's trademark. As a musician, Olivia likes to play the cello and performed in numerous orchestras in the US and England. With her amazing beauty and very impressive accomplishments, no doubt she might win the 8th Miss Universe title for the USA!

Photo provided by Ms. Olivia Culpo

PROFILE:
Name: Olivia Culpo
Age: 20
Height: 1.70 m. 
Hometown: Edgwood, Cranston, Rhode Island

Photo courtesy of Fadil Berisha

 BM: Thanks for joining us today. Why don’t we start by you sharing a bit about yourself.

OLIVIA: I am 20 years old. I grew up in Cranston, Rhode Island. As the smallest state, Rhode Island definitely has a bit of a small town feel to it. It is nearly impossible to go through a day in the city of Providence without seeing a few familiar faces! I was raised in a rich musical surrounding with both of my parents having begun their professional lives as musicians. My four siblings and I grew up playing different instruments. The cello is what stuck for me, and I have been playing for fourteen years.  I went to an all-girls school which taught me the importance of being a leader and role model for others.

BM: How does it feel of winning the Miss USA 2012 title? What are your unforgettable memories during the competition?

OLIVIA: Winning the Miss USA 2012 title is an unbelievable honor. I cannot wait to work closely with the charities tied to the Miss Universe Organization and to be a role model for girls around the country. My most unforgettable memory of the pageant was when I received the "Twitter" question for my top 5 question. I had no idea what to expect.

Photo © 2012 Miss Universe L.P., LLLP

BM: We are very impressed in your performance during the Miss USA 2012 Preliminaries and Final night. What made you a standout in this competition?

OLIVIA: Since my first pageant was just this past September, I did not know as much about the pageant system as other contestants in the competition. I loved that this was my first year of pageantry because everything was very new and interesting to me. Being able to experience all of this in just one year is an absolute dream come true.

Photo by Fadil Berisha

BM: How would you describe a typical day in your life?

OLIVIA: There has yet to be "typical" day in the first 2 weeks as Miss USA. The past two weeks has mostly consisted of media and charity events around the city. But I can tell you my favorite part has been exploring the amazing city of NYC!

BM: Aside from winning the Miss USA 2012 title, what is your best accomplishment so far? Proudest moment?

OLIVIA: Aside from winning the Miss USA 2012 title, my proudest moment was winning the Miss Rhode Island USA title this past September. Since this was my first pageant, I had no idea how I would do. I was so shocked and honored to have won on my first try. I was also so happy to be a part of the amazing Miss Rhode Island Pageant family.

Photo by Tess J Photography

BM: Who or what inspires you to win this competition?

OLIVIA: I would love to have a career in the entertainment industry. Halle Berry, Giuliana Rancic, and Maria Menounos are all successful women who have participated in the Miss USA pageant system that I look up to. I was also inspired to win as a chance to be a role model for others. I know finding someone to look up to can be tough and I now have an amazing opportunity to be a leader for others.

Photo provided by Ms. Olivia Culpo

BM: How would you define beauty?

OLIVIA: My quote from the Miss USA website reads "Beauty is defined in the way you treat others." I think that being a beautiful person and treating others with kindness reflects beauty just as much, if not more, than physical features.

Photo provided by Ms. Olivia Culpo

BM: Can you share to us your beauty secrets?

OLIVIA: My favorite beauty secret is very simple - drink water! Staying hydrated is a great way to maintain clean skin and great physical shape.

BM: For you, which is the most important, physical beauty or inner beauty? Why?

OLIVIA: Inner beauty is absolutely more important than physical beauty. Inner beauty is something that radiates, no matter what your physical appearance is. Inner beauty is what can really make a difference in the lives of others which will never fade.

Photo provided by Ms. Olivia Culpo

BM: How about your fashion sense and style?

OLIVIA: I love a classic style that is timeless but also trendy and relevant with the latest fashion trends

BM: If you will be granted three wishes from a genie, what would it be and why?

OLIVIA: In case I will met a genie and granting me three wishes, I would wish the following: 1) Stop world hunger; 2) End discrimination, and 3) Stop pollution.

Photo © 2012 Miss Universe L.P., LLLP

BM: Since you will be representing the USA at Miss Universe 2012 pageant, what do you expect from the competition?

OLIVIA: I have no idea what to expect at Miss Universe. I am going to try and keep an open mind because I know it will be an experience like no other.

BM: For you, which comes first, family or career?

OLIVIA: Family comes before career for me. I think the only way to have a successful career is if you first have a solid foundation and upbringing. Your family is what provides this foundation, which makes them far more important.

Photo by Tess J. Photography

BM: Any tips for success?

OLIVIA: Never give up on your dreams and remember that anything is possible with the right attitude and hard work!

Miss USA 2012 Olivia Culpo (center) with Miss Universe 2011 Leila Lopes and Miss Teen USA 2012 Danielle Doty. Photo © 2012 Miss Universe L.P., LLLP

BM: What is your message to your supporters and readers of Beauty Mania?

OLIVIA: Thanks for all the support! I can't wait for an awesome year as Miss USA 2012.

More photos:

Photo by Tess J. Photography

Photo by Tess J. Photography

Photo provided by Ms. Olivia Culpo

Photo © 2012 Miss Universe L.P., LLLP

Special thanks to Jackie Shahinian, Public Relations Coordinator of Miss Universe Organization.

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