Missosology.Org: Miss World 2007 Beauty Talks

Miss World 2007> Beauty Talks > Miss Trinidad and Tobago World

They failed to show up at Miss Universe which is quite a shame since this twin island-country is a country to watch at beauty pageants. Now armed with charm, wit and beauty, Valene Maharaj is determined to show that Trinidad and Tobago is up and running. With a girl like her, the Trinis couldn’t ask for more.

Describe the village or place where you grew up?

I grew up in a small village in the south Trinidad called St. Margrets and I’m the third of four children. Apart from my immediate family, my paternal grandparents also lived at home with us. My aunt, uncle and three cousins lived only one house away and also a great aunt and uncle lived only three houses away. So I had three homes when I was growing up. My family is very religious. Every weekend we attend Church and Sunday school. During school holidays I would go to vacation Bible school. Though there were times growing up when I felt somewhat insulated in my ‘little world’, looking back I appreciate the closeness of our community and the way all the families supported one another and encouraged and guided all the children of the village.

Did you always dream to become Miss Trinidad and Tobago or did you have some other ambitions as a child?

As a child my entire family would sit in our living room to enjoy the pageants on television. Everyone would support their favorites and I always wondered what it would be like to be one of those beautiful, graceful women I saw. I had other dreams as well; I wanted to be a teacher and would use my mother’s potted plants (my dolls were just too small to be my students). I also wanted to be a shopkeeper simply because I was fascinated by the sound of the cash registers and it looked like lots of fun to punch all those numbers. In recent years I have had a keen interest in art and fashion, and it’s this passion that led me into modeling and eventually to the Miss Trinidad and Tobago pageant.

Describe the selection process during your national pageant.

The national pageant took one day from casting to crowning. At the start of the day there were couple hundred women who showed up for the open call. After seeing us in our swimsuits, the casting committee then narrowed the field to top 20 who were interviewed. They then narrowed the field to a top 10 and then settled on seven of us who would be given the opportunity to compete for the title. That process was very nerve wracking but I had faith in my performance. I had an anxious time waiting to hear my name to be called. What made it even more nerve wracking was the amount of press covering the event. Four TV stations were there; at least 6 newspapers and two radio stations were also giving capsule reports.

Once the final 7 were selected we were given a quick lunch and went straight into rehearsals where we learned three routines. We then freshened up and went into hair and make up and fittings for our swimsuits and cocktail and eveningwear. The final night judges (including two former Miss World finalists, Kenisha Thom and Magdalene Walcott) arrived at about 5 p.m. that day and we were interviewed. Then, it was followed by a final dress rehearsal. At 7 p.m. the pageant began and after competing in swimsuit, evening gown and the question & answer segment, the top three was announced. Then the announcement was made. It took everything in me to keep myself composed, I was so happy…my dream was realized!

Name a beauty queen that you had always admired and wish to emulate.

I am a huge fan of Bollywood movies, and I have admired Aishwarya Rai’s work. She was able to take her Miss World title and use it as a platform to pursue her career in film. She always appears to be regal, dignified and gracious; those are some of her qualities I would very much like to emulate. Our very own Miss World 1986 Giselle La Ronde is very popular and loved here in our country and I have had the pleasure to meet her on several occasions.

Your country failed to send a Miss Universe delegate in 2007. Considering that Trinidad and Tobago has already two Miss Universe crowns and is one of the strong countries in the world of beauty pageants, what is your reaction to this?

Missing this year’s Miss Universe pageant was unfortunate and has made me even more determined to give my very best representation at this year’s Miss World pageant. I have full faith in my national director Peter Elias and his team of facilitators and trainers. My preparation program is extremely intense but I am already seeing the positive results of the training. My days begin very early and end late in the evening and I am disciplined about getting the required rest as well. The sacrifices I made is worth it when I think of the tradition of excellence that has been established by the incredible women who precede me. I hope to continue to present very high standards the world has come to expect of the representatives from Trinidad and Tobago.

At any given moment, what would your handbag contain?

It’s actually not too messy! I have my diary, wallet, my gym gloves, my PDA (my entire life fits onto that PDA), a tiny make up bag, wet wipes, two cell phones (there are 2 major networks in our country), some loose change, facial moisturizer, car keys and hand sanitizer. I use a very large handbag. [Laughing]

How do you define beauty?

Beauty is so difficult to define. There’s beauty in a person's aura, their spirit, in a baby’s smile, or even a Poui tree (a tree that has the most brilliant colored flowers and when it sheds its flowers, there’s this incredible sea-like formation around the base). One of my grandfather’s stories of when he was growing up is also beautiful. Someone once said, “With loving eyes, what’s not beautiful?”

Lastly, what is your message to Missosology.Org website visitors?

I enjoy your website and feel very special to be featured…thanks so much! I am working hard to ensure that I am a representative that will make my country proud. I look forward to meeting my fellow delegates from all over the world and the fantastic show on December 1^st. See you in Sanya!!!

We wish Valene all the luck at Miss World 2007! Special thanks to Peter Elias of Miss Trinidad and Tobago