Jewel of the World 2018 held its grand finale on 26th May 2018 at the Dance Vision Arena, San Juan City, Philippines where Neena Macaire Bezuidenhout was crowned the first ever winner! The 21-year-old South African queen gave a spectacular performance at the finale being every bit worthy of her title.
Amidst her hectic schedule after the crowning, she finds time to talk to us in an exclusive interview where she reveals her guilty pleasure and talks about beauty pageants, her dreams, experiences in the pageant industry and more.
Q. How does it feel to win Jewel of the World 2018?
While being on stage it was an indescribable feeling of all my humbled beginnings, years of hard-work, determination and commitment all paid off in that moment. Being the First Edition Jewel of The World 2018 is such a great humbling and honorable experience all together, because to me it is more than just a title and achievement it is a life changing experience and a part of my life journey that I will cherish forever. With every opportunity that is given lies great responsibility that should be taken on with open arms. With responsibility there is empowerment to create more leaders.
I am able to use this platform to create the change that I would love to see in this world and that being said a change in all humanity’s hearts and hearts that will be united as one.
Q. What is the best lesson you’ve learnt that has shaped your life?
Never let other peoples opinions of you define who you are.
Never Give Up.
Never doubt or underestimate your inner strength and your abilities regardless of what obstacles and challenges you are faced with.
Always change negative energy and transform it into positive energy. Take criticism lightly and use it to push you towards your goals and dreams.
I believe I am a one of a kind jewel because, I have gone through processes and transformations just like a jewel needs to go through various stages and processes so too did I. It molded, shaped and transformed me into the strong woman I am today.
Q. What is the one thing that keeps you going and inspires you to be the best version of yourself?
I aspire to live out a purposeful and meaningful life. My inspiration comes from substance that is from within that drives me to share my dreams, hopes, truth, passions, courage and strength. I would like to be known as a beauty that serves her purpose and not just by having a beautiful face but, showing the true version of myself which resides in my heart and soul. I believe the true beauty of a woman should be reflected in her good deeds, actions, words and stay true to her humble beginnings.
Q. We all know beauty queens love to represent their country internationally, do you have any plans to participate in other major international pageants like Miss Universe or Miss World once your reign ends?
I believe every goal you set for yourself should be something that you put your all into and every achievement is a building block and step into greatness. One needs to grow and blossom into their career and once you have achieved that you can open yourself up to going big. It has always been one of my dreams and goals to participate in the Miss South Africa pageant and hopefully be elected to participate and represent at these two major platforms Miss Universe and Miss World. I hope and pray that all of my years of hard-work, dedication, commitment and passion leads me to these wonderful opportunities since it is one of my aspirations on my goal digger list.
Q. We’re sure that this competition is just another milestone in your life. What is that one thing that you consider your life goal?
My life goal is to be a successful in every part of my life. I would love to be a successful business woman, owning my own Image Consultancy firm and also continue to grow my anti-bullying campaign “Never Look Back” and become a world known humanitarian.
Q. There are a lot of myths related to pageants and beauty queens. What is the one thing that you believe girls should know about holding office as a beauty queen?
A beauty queen needs to have a strong backbone, an open mind, stay true to her heart and herself. She needs to know everything there is to know about the world she lives in and be a problem solver that is able to think out of the box and on her feet. A beauty queen needs to be passionate about everything she does and have a great love to serve people in every community. She should be a beauty with a heart and use both her hands to uplift and empower every life she touches. Being a beauty queen can be tough at times especially when you live in a world where people are constantly judging you and your every move but, never let insecurities of others become insecurity to you. Always strive to aim high, do and give your best in every situation you are placed in...do not sweat the small stuff. Rather help and inspire those that criticize you and love everyone equally.
Q. Who is your idol, and what values of theirs do you wish you could inculcate in your own life, and teach the next generation?
I do not have one specific idol that I look up to but, instead have various idols I am inspired by. My inspiration comes from looking up to various iconic women that have shown a great amount of strength and leadership within their field. Each woman represents their own motto and stand that they took in their life which inspired many to be successful in their own right. To name a few that I am inspired by...it would be:
Princess Diana – She is a symbol of love and compassion. She served beauty with its purpose by being selfless and lived out a life dedicated to charity and the betterment of each human life. She used her platform to create change in every part of the world.
Margaret Thatcher – She was known as “The Iron Lady”, where she made an impact and influence on everyone’s life: socially, economically and culturally. She brought about change and showed true dedication. She lived up to her true status.
Marilyn Monroe – She was a symbol of femininity and embraced true beauty by not being afraid to be herself.
Coco Chanel – She was a symbol of style, simplicity and elegance. She gave woman a voice through the use of fashion.
Mother Theresa – She is a Saint and left behind her legacy to have faith, belief, love and missionaries of charity work.
Each woman is a symbol of woman empowerment and pillars of strength. They are all iconic, timeless and legendary figures to look up to and be inspired by.
Q. If you could be invisible for a day, how would you like to spend it?
I would use it as an opportunity to climb onto every airplane to travel to every part of the world. Since it is my dream and on my bucket list to see and experience the different cultures all over the world. It will be an advantage because I do not have to worry about airfare, travel allowance and luggage.
Q. Would you like to share your most special childhood memory with us?
My most cherished childhood memory would be when I grew up on a farm which was where I was able to enjoy every moment of being a free-spirit, being one with nature, interacting with animals and creating a new adventure every day. I spent most of my childhood outdoors and thoroughly enjoyed playing outside looking for “fairies” in the flowers, riding on my bicycle and making mud pies. I also had my own personalized swing which was tied to one of the tallest and largest trees with rope and a huge tractor Tyre.
Q. What is your advocacy; can you tell us more about it?
You are your own brand. Your input becomes your output.
I live for the empowerment, upliftment and equal rights of every living being. My aim is to create awareness for every cause that needs a voice and platform to promote unity amongst every living being in society. I use the concept of looking beyond the surface and deep within or “Beauty is only skin deep”.
Q. What is the one thing you can label as your guilty pleasure?
Chocolate. Dark Chocolate is one of my ultimate favorites. In actual fact, anything that looks good and tastes good.
Q. If you are granted 3 wishes right now, what would you ask for?
1) To be successful in every part of my life and achieve all the goals I set for myself.
2) To solve all problems and end world poverty, hunger and suffering. Make the world a place filled with love, peace and unity.
3) Travel over the world.
Q. Lastly, is there any message that you would like to give to your fans at Angelopedia?
A. The unthinkable is always achievable.
The best advice I can give is to always stay grounded (humble) and true to your roots and yourself. ALWAYS set goals that are achievable even if it takes time or small steps at a time to reach them.
ALWAYS see the best in every outcome and take criticism to better yourself and use that negative energy as your motivation to push you into the direction you need to be in.
Live life succeeding in the passions that lies close and deep in your heart and use those passions to create a better today, tomorrow and future.
Be driven by everything that motivates, inspires and empowers you and use all of the giftings you were blessed with to do the same for someone else's life.
The ultimate goal is to be a woman with a strong mind, heart and soul and not letting anything stop her from pursuing, chasing and reaching her dreams. You are your own sailor that is in control of your sails...You decide and have the power to make the choice to live life with optimism.
Go in your destined direction, create your own platforms, aspire to inspire and most importantly live out beauty serving its purpose.
Another thing I would like to add is that I am a proud owner and founder of my own Anti-Bullying Campaign called, Never Look Back that has been running for the last 4 years (started it in 2014) where I do motivational speeches to uplift, inspire and empower the youth and people of today.
The campaign supports both the victim and perpetrator since I am a firm believer of everyone has a story to tell and we can all learn from one another and build each other up.
You can find Miss Jewel of the World 2018 on the following social media platforms:
Facebook:
Neenã-Macaire Bezuidenhout(Personal)
Neenã Bezuidenhout – My Journey
Miss Tourism Metropolitan South Africa 2016/2018
Miss Glam World – South Africa
Jewel of The World – South Africa
Jewel of The World
E u n o i a Beauty and Hair
Never Look Back
Instagram:
@nbezuidenhout @eunoiabeautyandhair
@eunoiabeautyandhair
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