Tags
Beauty Pageants, Beauty with a Purpose, Christie D'Ortenzio, MISS WORLD, Miss World 2012, Miss World Australia 2012
Dear Pageant Girl,
I don’t think there’s been a time when I’ve been excited every time I see a blonde. In a competition seemingly dominated by brunettes, it’s nice to see the blonde bombshells fighting right back and giving it as good as they are getting it.
And this girl has no problem serving it up. Read her interview and you’ll meet someone head strong, opinionated, motivated and ambitious. And we like that in a beauty queen.
From Victoria we have Christie D’Ortenzio.
What is your motivation in joining Miss World Australia?
I believe in inspiring and empowering young women to take an active role as community leaders and initiate positive change to help people, whoever they be.
Beauty With A purpose
I understand what a gift it is to feel beautiful, to have positive self esteem and to use this confidence to empower others to believe in their own beauty. Positive self image provides a strong foundation to achieve dreams, become leaders and to be exceptional role models for other women and the wider community. This is truly beauty with a purpose.
What do you know about Miss World Australia and its Beauty with a Purpose motto?
Beauty with a purpose is at the heart of the Miss World contest and due to this commitment, continued support and fundraising, the lives of disadvantaged children around the world have benefited from positive change.
Are pageants still relevant in this day and age?
Pageants are important as they provide a platform for beautiful women, to engage an audience and to share their positive message. Once engaged audiences are more likely to be moved by the causes being shared. Pageants will always create positive role models for future generations to follow.
Apart from the crown, what do you hope to gain from this experience?
I hope to gain awareness for charities and how I can help those in need.
Who are your role models?
Audrey Hepburn is a wonderful inspiration she is the epitome of elegance and beauty. She has used her success as an actress to fulfil her greatest role as a dedicated UNICEF International Goodwill Ambassador, helping children around the world.
My Mother has always been my greatest role model, she has guided me along my path until now and I would like to think that she would be very proud of what I have become.
Tell me something interesting about yourself
I am not afraid of hard work, I understand commitment and the need to sometimes stretch my comfort zone to enable personal to growth. My passion for horses has taught me that, I can achieve so much more, by rewarding the little successes along the journey, rather than only accepting perfection.
What kind of preparations have you undergone for the competition?
My whole family have rallied around me in support, and together we have organized fundraisers, written media releases, met with businesses and community groups to
raise funds for the Lilla Community Wish List. This has already been an extremely rewarding experience.
Prior to joining this competition, what previous pageant experiences have you had?
I have always loved to watch the Miss World pageant and dreamt of one day being a participant, so to be a Victorian finalist is a dream come true.
If your parents were against you marrying your boyfriend what would you do?
I would respect their opinion and delay any thoughts of marriage to allow time for a more clear decision, and give time for the relationship to pass the test of time.
Hypothetically, if you had a 14 year old daughter who had a crooked nose that affected her self esteem would you let her have plastic surgery?
Yes! If I knew in my heart that it would help her to feel more confident, but I would aim to build her confidence in all that she is, as a person not just her looks.
How would you promote the Beauty with a Purpose message to Australian media?
Through Media releases to print, radio and television. I would share testimonials of children, whose lives have been change due to the work of the Miss World contestants, though Beauty with a Purpose projects.
If you could take 1 person into space with you who would it be?
I would ensure I was accompanied by a highly experienced astronaut!
What is the greatest gift anyone gave you?
My Mother and Father gave me “KIWI” a Bay Thoroughbred that has taught me so much, we are a partnership based on mutual trust and he works with me to meet any competition challenge. He is my best friend and my greatest gift in life.
What makes up the quintessential woman?
One who is confident with who she is. Whose not afraid to take on life’s challenges, to learn from mistakes and be empowered to believe in her dreams and achieve success with integrity and empathy.
Do you think we should censor the Internet?
No! It is with in us all, to know right from wrong. I believe it is the responsibility of us all as a community, to mentor youth about standards of acceptable behavior and decency. With the popularity of social media, we need to educate our youth on the importance of boundaries and how the written word and images can be stored and shared indefinitely.
Tell me why you should be Miss World Australia 2012.
I believe I can make a real difference, not just in 2012 but to receive the honour of being Miss World Australia will open the opportunity to have a public voice, a platform to continue to instill positive change for children and raise awareness of the importance of a positive self image and how this can empower women to be all that they can be.