Swedish beauties cannot be denied as strong contenders in prestigious beauty pageants like Miss World. After all the victorious records they’ve got, Sweden will continue to bring surprises. Sweden has finally sent a delegate to take Amanda Ulfdotter’s place. From the municipality of Sigtuna, Jennifer Palm Lundberg has a story to tell the world and who knows, another Swedish beauty can rock the Miss World stage this year…
Please describe yourself, where you grew up and your hobbies.
My name is Jennifer Palm Lundberg and I am 22 years old. I am the youngest of four. I have two older sisters and one older brother. My family is a very traditional Swedish family. My mother and father divorced about 13 years ago but we are still like a big family. I was born and raised in Sigtuna. Sigtuna is the most historical town of Sweden; which goes back to the Vikings around the 900 century. Sigtuna is right by the lake - Mälaren and has very nice country settings. The first Scandinavian coin was made here in Sigtuna.
I attended an international boarding school here in Sigtuna. After my graduation I started to work ‘til I decided to go to a University where I am now attending to become an Interior designer. For the last two years I’ve been working for Europcar rental cars as a car controller.
As I was raised at the countryside, nature and animals have been an important part of my life. At my house we had all kinds of animals and they became my best of friends, and through my difficult times they were always there for me(beside my family). Since I was 12 years old I have had my own horses. I’ve started to ride when I was about 7 years old. I got my first pony named Coco Chanel. She was a crazy one if I may say so. By taking care of my horse at the age of 9, I’ve learned great understanding about taking responsibility. After Coco I decided to find myself a little bit calmer horse, that’s when I found Charlie. We had a good time together. But sad enough when I lived without him and with a broken heart I had to find him a new home. Then, Ross Magic Moments, a full-grown horse from Ireland found me. We had so much fun over the years and we entered Show jumping competitions with good results. And today I have two dogs, Roxy and Lexus, filling my life with joy and happiness.
Through my traveling around the world and my own eating disorder I have learnt how cruel the world can be. There are far too many children and young people growing up in poverty, without family, and fighting serious diseases. They are all our responsibility and we all have to be committed to these problems. All of us can give a little time, money, engagement or information. We can not rescue everybody, but every single human being we can help is a victory. Even our home society today has huge problems with depression and eating disorders. Young people are slaves under false advertising telling them that happiness and a successful life is equal to an unhealthy appearance. Several young people die in this belief. I know from my own experience that it is so far from the truth that you can get. I know that only through healthy living and a sound mind, interests outside your own ego, family and friends; you will regain balance and beauty in your mind. And that beauty is the one that shines through to your outside. For me it has been a task in life to save other young people. My goal is to visit schools; hospitals etc. to tell people my own story about the disease. And as a delegate in the Miss World competition I hope it will help me even more get this message out.
The environment is also close to my heart. Global warming for example, Again, also thanks to all my traveling that I have had the opportunity to visit the Artic areas, close to the North Pole. This was two years ago and I saw polar bears and other polar animals playing on the ice. When I look at the pictures now, only two years later, I can see now how much the Global warming has affected these areas and how our animals have less and less grounds to live and breed. This is not only a threat to the animals but it's affecting the whole world, we must take action before it's too late. I hope that through my participation in the Miss World contest, I will be heard when trying to inform about the disaster threatening our future.
What is your fashion style?
Fashion/Street clothes that feels good at the moment!
Can you share to us your beauty secret?
Beauty comes from the inside.
How were you selected as Miss Sweden World? Describe the selection process.
The winner of Miss World Sweden 2008 didn't cooperate with the Swedish Miss World organization, so they told her that they didn't want her to represent Sweden in such an important competition. The Swedish organization couldn't get in touch with the first runner up, and the second one couldn't leave important studies. So here I am, as Miss World Sweden 2008 and I am going to do my best to represent my country.
What qualities do you think that will enable you to win the Miss World 2008 crown?
I am who I am and nothing can change me. I am proud of who I am and what I have done in my life. I also think that my own story about eating disorders can touch people.
What is the most interesting or unique experience that has happened to you?
When I recovered from my eating disorder and felt that I was ready to help others with the same problems that I have had.
What would you say to some people who think that beauty pageants are outdated?
It is not true. Every year more and more countries enter the competition; they donate more and more both time and money to charity. I can only speak about my country and I think that the competition has been put in the shadow because the interests has increased for reality shows, so the competition is not so big in media today as it were ten years ago.
How would you describe Sweden to the rest of Miss World 2008 delegates?
Because I live near the capital of Sweden but still on the countryside I feel that I have the best of two worlds. I think that the four seasons display beauty in Sweden because we have both beautiful sunny summers and cozy snowy winters. I love to be out traveling, and see the world. But it always feels good to be back in Sweden. Sweden is a small peaceful country with a big history. Sweden is most known by blonde beauties and meets balls, so I think it is pretty fun that I who am a brunette am competing for Sweden in Miss World 2008.
What is your motto in life?
I have my own story to tell and no one/nothing can change who I am. My life is my life!
Lastly, a message to the web visitors of Missosology.Org….
I enter the competition not for bragging rights, but the chance to reach a lot of people to tell my story and help girls and families who have the same problem that I had and to show them that if you work hard it will have a happy ending. It is not worth the pain and suffering to feel bad and hurt your loved ones!
Special thanks to Ekaterina Zharkova Fahlberg, Direktör, Miss World Sweden Organization for facilitating the interview and great photos of Jennifer!
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