Back in the day, we have listed Priscila as the Most Beautiful Woman in the Universe, but even if it had been "The Most Beautiful Woman in the Galaxy, Solar System, Planet and so forth, we still think she would have been crowned numero uno! And now she's hailed as Miss International 2007- a well deserved victory for this Mexican goddess. Priscila opens up with Missosology and shares to us all her sentiments on winning a highly-coveted crown.
BEAUTY TIPS
Name three beauty products you can't live without?
My mascara, my blush and my haispray.
What's your day-to-day beauty routine like?
It depends. I like to be comfortable and I’ll dress very casual most of the time. I like to look natural so a little bit of mascara, some blush and a dab of lip gloss will have me good to go. My hair is naturally straight so I don’t have to battle with it that much. When I want to “up my ‘do”, I’ll curl it with a curling iron.
Give us 5 ways how Priscila manages to feel and look beautiful.
Eat right, sleep, exercise, moisturize and keep it simple. I try to eat lots of veggies, fruit, whole wheat bread and fish. I’ll definitely have some pizza but only on the weekends. Sleeping at least 7-8 hours a day helps your cells regenerate and it helps you look and feel awake and alive. Exercising is pretty obvious why it’s important, at least it relaxes me. Moisturizing is essential for skin’s elasticity and it gives you a healthy and glowing look. Finally keeping it simple is just that. I try not to outdo myself. If I wear lots of eye make up ill keep my lips tan; I don’t like to clutter myself with too many things. I’ll try not to exceed wearing more than 3 accessories at a time.
For your countless male admirers, what type of guy do you fantasize about?
It’s pretty simple: honesty, sense of humor, respect and a person with big goals is what I look for.
MISS UNIVERSE FLASHBACK
Almost everybody in LA (and even your fellow candidates) thought that you will make it all the way to the Top 5 and win it all, how did you feel when your name wasn't called during the announcement of the finalists?
I really don’t feel like any crown was stolen. I’m a firm believer of perfect timing and how everything happens for a reason. I never felt a huge shock or anything. I took as it was and moved on. It was hard only because I had to figure out what I was to do next in my life, the Miss Mexico 2006 cycle was about to expire and all. But I never shared the feeling of injustice that many felt. In that moment in time those 5 girls had to be in the 5 finalists FOR A REASON, learning their respective lessons, and I had my own lesson to learn as well from that. Now I understand why it happened since I’ve grown a lot as a human being, thanks to it.
In Miss Universe, many commented that your uncanny resemblance to outgoing Miss Universe, Natalie Glebova worked to your disadvantage. (Bolivia's Desiree Duran who everybody thought resembles MU '03 Amelia Vega also failed to advance in the Top 5, please comment)
Those are just theories from people who can’t accept the fact that one girl will always shine more onstage that the rest on a given night. It has NOTHING to do with girls resembling ex-Miss whomevers…. It’s not the girl’s country, it’s not her height, it’s not her hair, her dress or her resemblance to anybody else….it’s HERSELF.
During the coronation night, you had the most number of screaming fans among the audience. Mexicans are also being touted as the rowdiest pageant fans. Comment on this.
That’s ok. The pageant did take place in a city where many Mexicans reside. I don’t know. Like I’ve always said: If something characterizes our culture and personality, it is the way we love to celebrate. We will make a party and celebration out of many things; we tend to get over-excited! (smiles)
Turning back time, will you change anything of what you did during the contest?
Not at all. Back then I really did all I could do and I couldn’t have done it any better. Maybe there WERE things that in the eye of the judges could have been better, but in my eye back then, I had it right. If you go back in time and start changing things, you will alter the way things have turned out today and I love today hahaha, I wouldn’t change anything.
MISS INTERNATIONAL VICTORY
How were you convinced to join Miss International?
Any opportunity to represent my country in an international event of such importance is always a pleasure. I was invited to do so by my national director and without thinking it twice I said yes.
What did you learn from your stint at Miss Universe that you applied in this contest? Any adjustments?
The most important thing I MENTALLY adjusted was the idea that this time, I was going to have fun and enjoy the ride instead of focusing so much on JUST WINNING. I was always very focused and disciplined, and that was MY JOB….but I let God decide the rest, and enjoyed Japan to the fullest!
Tell us about the gown & swimsuit you sported during the finals. Was it your personal choice?
Yes, I chose that gown for the competition, since the first time I saw it I thought “This is what I want to look like that night”. The bathing suit has a funny story to tell. I didn’t even have a bathing suit for the pageant when I got to Japan! Hahahaha, its crazy. All I had taken with me was a turquoise bikini that had been in my drawer for years and I didn’t even like it that much but back in Mexico during my shopping I never came across a bathing suit that I really loved. I just thought “Oh well, I’m not going to buy a bikini JUST TO BUY IT…ill take my old bikini and hope I come across the one I love in some Tokyo shop or something”….Well said and done…I saw that gold bathing suit in a shop one day when they took us to Shibuya shopping center and I thought “There it is! I’ll wear that one”…. So I bought it and wore it.
Did you witness/experience any bitchiness or catfights behind the scenes?
Nope. I think catfights are so low. The most you can perceive at a given moment is somebody ignoring you or giving you looksies! Hahaha… but I tried to stay as focused as possible and this helps to not give in to that vibe.
Any worst/unusual/funny "Miss International in Japan" moments?
It was just funny how the communication was so slow and difficult between all of us because Japanese couldn’t speak Spanish or English that well just like us girls don’t speak Japanese AT ALL, so you do the math. We engaged in a mixture of facial gestures, hand signals and funny interactions when it came to trying to communicate with one another.
What kept you in top condition throughout the Miss International contest? In what event do you think you shined most that got you the judges' approval & the crown?
I shined the most on the night of the pageant. It had been 20 days of competition where I tried to be better each day and I just focused on what did I do today that I can do better tomorrow?... That type of thing… I was kept in top condition throughout just by being myself and being happy.
Tell us about your winning moment and what went through your head?
I felt a mixture of relief, excitement, just a rush of positive energy throughout my body. It was so much that I started shaking haha…. I really didn’t know what to do or think, I was just there and I took it all in.
What do you hope to be doing in the coming months as Miss International?
Travel to wherever they need me to keep up the work as a goodwill ambassador. There’s lots of donations to give to many organizations that need it and I’d be honored to do so on behalf of the Miss International Organization.
Who/what was your greatest influence that contributed greatly to your successes (here's your chance to thank them)
My mom has always been there for me as well as my boyfriend lately. I think that without them it wouldn’t have been the same.
What message can you offer young women who look up to you and aspire to be a beauty queen someday?
I’d tell them what Ghandi told many in his day: “You are what your deepest, driving desire is”.
I'm sure you used to have perceptions about pageants. At this present time, how would you differentiate Miss Universe & Miss International in your own terms?
They’re both amazing, unforgettable experiences. One is based in the US, the other one in Japan, end of story hahahaha….
Finally, leave a message to your Mexican fans and supporters worldwide.
Thanks for your undying support and for sharing the joy and excitement of these experiences with me. I LOVE YOU! =)
Check out Priscila Perales Special Pages in Missosology Beauty Talks Interview: http://www.missosology.org/missuniverse06/priscilaperales.html
Miss Universe Focus http://www.missosology.org/missuniverse06/focusmissmexico06.html
