by MisLAPD » Sun May 13, 2012 5:58 pm
I’ve just learnt that being slim isn’t the same as being fit – Damiete, MBGN 1st runner-up
Isabella Ayuk and Damiete Charles-Granville, the winner and first runner-up of the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria 2012 pageant, respectively, speak with ’NONYE BEN-NWANKWO about their plans for the future
Why I love modelling
I am a final year Mass Communications student of the University of Benin. I am from Rivers State. I want to be a presenter. But I got into the beauty pageant because I have a passion for fashion. I love modelling.
MBGN competition
Nobody tried to discourage me from participating in the competition. In fact, my friends were pushing me to go for the pageant. I was the one that didn’t even want to go for it. I was a part of it last year, but it didn’t work out for me and I decided not to do it again. However, my friends encouraged me and I decided to give it another trial. I thank God that I took to their advice.
The camp
Life in the camp was stressful, fun and exciting. I had so many emotions in one. I made new friends. I learnt how to carry myself as a lady. I learnt how to catwalk. I learnt a lot of things. I was a model before now. I had participated in a few pageants. I feel honoured that I am a part of this. I wasn’t intimidated when I got to the camp. I saw myself as the only rival. I went there focused. I told myself I was going to work hard and be myself. I didn’t look at any person as a threat. I didn’t want to be anybody. I tried as much as possible to avoid any form of quarrel. In fact, we were even too busy to engage in any form of quarrel.
Emerging first runner-up
I am the fist runner up in the pageant. But I wasn’t disappointed that I wasn’t crowned the MBGN queen. However, I am still a queen. I still have to represent Nigeria in the Miss Universe competition. When we were three contestants left on the stage as the finalists, I was amazed. I knew that at least I was taking something home. My coming to the pageant wasn’t a waste of time, after all. My mum came for the show and I was so happy. She came all the way from Port Harcourt to support me.
My slim stature
I eat a lot. You simply can’t imagine how much I eat. But no matter how much I eat, I can never get fat. I am very lazy. I almost cried in the camp each time we had to wake up early in the morning to exercise. I thought I was fit because I was slim. But then, I was always groaning each time we were asked to exercise. I thank God that I am slim. If I were fat, I wonder how I would have been able to manage. Also, I love my colour. Black is beautiful. I have never had reason to feel bad because of my skin colour. I am still unique.
My family
I am from a family of eight. We are close knit. I had fun growing up. If I say my life will not change after winning this crown, I would be lying. I have to be more decent and try not to do anything that would bring scandals. I have to be better. I am not going to be a snob. I know a lot of people want to be my friend because I am now Miss Universe. I am just going to learn how to separate them from my real friends.
Relationships
I don’t have a boyfriend. I am very single, but I am not searching. I don’t have to search for a boyfriend, I am Miss Universe! I know a lot of responsibilities come with the crown, but I will be myself. I will try my best to make it work.
Preparing for Miss Universe
The international pageant is still coming up in December and I thank God for that. I have a long time to prepare for it. I will be prepared when that time comes. I have confidence in myself and I believe so much in what I can do.
My vision
I am going to use my crown to promote my environment. Our environment has been abused and neglected. I need to educate people on how to care for the environment and tell them about the global warming
