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Date Posted: 20:40:59 01/27/11 Thu
First Person: Life of a beauty pageant contestant
Hazel Lorraine – Fri Jan 14, 4:34 pm ET
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ac/20110114/en_ac/7608908_first_person_life_of_a_beauty_pageant_contestant
News – The author with her Miss Universe Canada award. (Photo by Hazel Lorraine)
I never dreamed of becoming a beauty queen. But when opportunity knocks, sometimes you have to open the door and let it in.
In 2002, I had just finished my bachelor's degree in psychology and communications at York University. At the time, I worked as a model in Toronto when one of my trainers phoned to tell me about the audition for Miss Universe Canada. At first, I was shocked; I never thought of myself as beauty queen material -- after all, I am only 5'2".
But I decided to try my luck at the Miss Canada audition at the Primrose Hotel in Toronto. I can't lie: When I think about that day, I was extremely nervous. I had no idea what to expect, so when it was my turn to talk to the panel of judges, I was literally shaking in my high heels.
There were three women and two men on the panel of judges, and they just bombarded me with questions one after another. They weren't easy to answer, ranging from, "Where do you see yourself in five years?" to "If you were to become Miss Universe Canada, how would you represent your country?" I think I fumbled some of my answers, but when I was in doubt, I always said, "I would always promote world peace."
I guess that's how I won the judges over because a few weeks after the audition, I got a call from one of the judges -- Sally A -- who told me I was accepted as one of the 20 contestants to compete in the 2003 Miss Universe Canada, Toronto and southern Ontario regional finals. I was shocked -- but happy -- I was accepted.
The first meeting with other contestants was in September 2002 when the reigning Miss Universe, Oxana Fedorova, was in Toronto for her press conference. I met the other 19 ladies at the Windsor Arms Hotel and, most importantly, we met Oxana. It was exciting to meet her and see the media blitz surrounding Miss Universe. I felt more of a spectator, instead of a contestant, and seeing the countless amounts of photographers and journalists made it feel like a dream.
Physically exhausted -- with swollen feet in high heels
Our trainers told us if we weren't serious about committing to the pageant, we should get out. The following months of preparation were crucial. I didn't know pageant training was going to be hard work with long hours -- until your high-heeled feet are swollen and you're physically exhausted while worrying about hair and makeup. If you think that pageant contestants are just smiling models who prance around in their bikinis all day long, you got it totally wrong. We practiced every weekend for six weeks before the actual pageant on Nov. 3, 2002.
In between our weekend rehearsals, we had to go to fittings, individual rehearsals, training seminars on proper walking, how to answer interview questions, and personal style. I also physically trained by swimming 30 laps four times a week.
Training for Miss Universe Canada taught me self-discipline, and it was the most fun I ever had with other women. During rehearsals, I formed many new friendships and, contrary to popular belief, women in pageants do get along. There were times when some of the contestants took the competition very seriously, so when our trainers could sense that we were getting competitive with each other, Sally A told us, "Do not compete with each other. Only compete with yourself. Outdo what you did before."
Nervous before the curtain
The regional finals were held at the Toronto Centre For The Arts. Only the top 10 moved on to the national finals. When the final hour arrived and the audience started filing in, the sudden rush of excitement came over us -- and a lot of us started to behave strangely. One contestant was meditating alone and didn't want to be disturbed. Another contestant locked herself in the washroom and refused to come out right before the curtain call. I was hungry and trying to find leftover carrot sticks.
Once we heard the audience cheering us on, we applied what we learned during rehearsal. I had the best time of my life. The audience's reaction and their appreciation lifted our mood on stage, and we were naturally high on the audience's energy.
I didn't make the top 10, however. But I did receive a prize for "Most Improved Delegate." (It was so loud on stage, I didn't hear the host tell me I'd won this award; instead, I froze with the spotlight on me.)
The award in itself was a great achievement, so even if I didn't make the finals, I was grateful to the Miss Universe Organization for giving me this opportunity. I still apply pageant lessons in my life today (including overcoming a fear of public speaking). Despite not making nationals, I did walk away a winner.
Last edited by author: Fri January 28, 2011 13:17:36
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