As we get ready for the 61st edition of the Miss World Pageant on Sunday at the Earls Court Two in London, word on the ground is that our girl, Lee-Ann Forbes is doing relatively well in the preliminaries. It is the hope of many here at home that Forbes will bring back the title to T&T-re-instating that sense of national pride in all citizens, especially at a time when the country is facing much turmoil. If these wishes come through, Forbes will be the second national to capture the title in 25 years-the first was Giselle Laronde-West. West won the hearts of the judges at the Miss World Pageant in London, United Kingdom, in 1986 when she walked away winner of the prestigious title, beating first runner-up and then aspiring actress, Halle Berry.
Since then T&T, although not gaining another Miss World title, has carved its name in the pageant industry having almost more often than not, representatives who not only made an impression, but were right up there with the top five. Among them, Valene Maharaj, Kenisha Thom, Michelle Khan, Danielle Jones, Margot Bourgeois, Faye Alibocas, Magdalen Walcott, Arlene Peterkin and Jeanette La Caille, to name a few. The T&T Guardian caught up with our treasured queen, Giselle, who took the time to reminisce with us on her victory and to lend some advice to T&T's 2011 Miss World representative, Lee-Ann-Forbes.
Q: T&T has not been able to capture the title again since your win. What in your opinion do you believe needs to be improved on, on the local front?
A: I think winning this title has a lot to do with luck and what is written in the stars. There have been so many beautiful women representing us over the years that is it hard to say, "Why me and not them." Today I believe they are even more prepared, as entrants now enter with more experience and knowledge of the pageant industry. Therefore I cannot say why not another Miss World in the last 25 years.
Should Lee-Ann Forbes gain the title on Sunday, what would it mean for you to finally pass on the torch?
I would be very happy for her. She is a lovely girl in every sense of the word. I would be like every other Trinidadian...proud that we have won...yet again, showing the world that we have what it takes to be a winner no matter what we do. What advice would you give to our current representative, Lee-Ann Forbes, with regards to winning the title. As I said to her and what I have told every entrant for the past 25 years...Respect yourself, be yourself, enjoy yourself, make new friends and represent your country well. Winning will just be the icing on the cake."
From your experience, what would you say were your strengths on that night?
Not sure at all. I think it would have begun from my interviews in Hong Kong and with the final judges the day before. The evening was just icing on the cake really, as that was merely an opportunity for them to see how the girls they chose related to the audience, performed on stage and the personality and presence that shone through. I guess they saw all that positive energy in me when on stage. I certainly was in a wonderful mood and was there to enjoy the occasion and not merely to win, so I was at ease on stage.
When you were announced the winner, what was that moment like for you?
The crowning moment was a surprise and extremely exhilarating. I was in awe at the standing ovation I received and the thunderous applause, I hear it still in my head when I think of the occasion. When I took my walk, it was a moment of pure excitement and wonder. Wonder, at what would come next, what friends, family and country were thinking and feeling and what my life ahead would hold for me.
From then to now, how do you view the quality of beauty pageants?
There is certainly more glitz and glamour in the pageant world now compared to then. Generally, the pageant attracts beautiful and intelligent women, who see it as an avenue to be seen, heard and to gain some experience in the human graces as well as understand the social fabric of the world, to have the opportunity to travel and make new friends. As always, though, the Miss World Pageant has been a great tool for the overall development of young women across the globe. I am happy to see that they have introduced the fast track system which gives the girls even more of an opportunity to shine in areas where they may excel but not ordinarily be able to showcase.
Would you say that winning the Miss World Beauty Pageant presented a window of opportunities for you-even perhaps lasting to today?
Yes most definitely. The moment you win, the window is open wide, it is up to the individual to decide how they will capitalise on those opportunities, which ones to go after, which ones to shy away from. I have not gone after all the opportunities offered over the years but I have built a life for myself that I am very happy with, a life that has brought me much achievement and joy in various areas. I am happy when I meet people from all over, for the first time and they congratulate me and tell me how proud they were of me ... after all this time. That is truly special to me. There are so many celebration stories that I am still hearing about.