Miss Universe Iran 2019 Shirin Heidari has already made history by being crowned the first ever Miss Universe from Iran. Born in Tehran, Shirin is 28 years old and graduated in architecture and software engineering from the University of Auckland, New Zealand but she ended up choosing the engineering degree and got graduated from the engineering department. She also currently works as a software engineer at one of Australia's most prestigious Australian companies in Sydney.

A fluent speaker of Farsi and English, Shirin will surely be a tough competitor for the other ladies in Miss Universe 2019. Here’s she, talking about her dreams, ambitions and guilty pleasures in an exclusive interview by Angelopedia.

INTERVIEW -

Q. How does it feel to be Miss Iran 2018 and now a delegate of Miss Universe 2019?

It feels absolutely amazing and I’m very honoured and grateful to have this once in a lifetime opportunity. I’m definitely a lot busier than before, but it’s very enjoyable at the same time.

Q. What inspired you to the world of pageantry?

I decided to do pageants so that I could put myself out of my comfort zone, have new experiences, learn more, network, make valuable friendships, and open up doors to new exciting opportunities.

Q. How would you like to represent yourself at the international stage of Miss Universe 2019?

I’d like to represent myself as the strong person that I am. I want to take my positive energy with me and share it with everyone around me. I’d want to be a voice of awareness, encouragement and change.

Q. Being the first ever delegates from Iran, how have you prepared yourself to compete with the experienced countries’ delegates?

I have already gained some experience from Miss Iran and Miss National NZ pageants. I also have Bill Alverson as my coach for Miss Universe.

Q. Who is your role model, if any and what values of his or her do you wish you could inculcate in your own life, and teach the next generation?

My first role model is my mother. I admire her courage, endless effort in life, and her kind heart. She’s a big giver to everyone around her, and she lifts up the room with her positive energy.

My other role model is Priyanka Chopra. I admire the amount of effort she puts in what she does, and her social activities such as female empowerment, children’s rights, health, education, and environment.

Q. What is the one thing that keeps you going and inspires you to be the best version of yourself?

I’m inspired by all of the support I’ve received since being crowned Miss Iran; so many amazing people still living in Iran that drive me to continue on my journey in the pageant world and share my message. These people inspire me every day to be the best version of myself and to live up to the honour I’ve been given.

Q. Would you like to share your most special childhood memory with us?

My most special childhood memory is when I was sitting on my small swing in the backyard and my mother was sitting in front of me, pushing the swing and singing to me. This taught me that no matter the turmoil around me, the family is all that truly matters, and nothing can outweigh a mother’s love.

Q. If you could be invisible for a day, how would you like to spend it?

I would play with all the random puppies in the park.

Q. What or who empowers you to be yourself and work hard every day?

I’m very grateful to have an amazing boyfriend, a wonderful mother, and fantastic friends in my life, who encourage me to be the best version of myself and work hard every day.

Q. What is the one thing you can label as your guilty pleasure?

Pizza or Crème brûlée, I can’t decide

Q. We’re sure that this competition is another milestone in your life. What is that one thing that you ultimately want to achieve?

Empower women everywhere in the world, so that they have the confidence to achieve what they want to achieve in life. I also want to bring awareness about Iran and Iranian women.

Q. If you are granted three wishes right now, what would you ask for?

1) To have a cure for all diseases 2) To have everyone in the world understand and respect each other 3) To have an endless number of wishes that can be granted! Why stop here!

Q. Lastly, is there any message that you would like to give to your fans of Angelopedia?

Thank you so much for all of your support, I sure do need all that I can get! I’m going to do my best in this journey and I hope I’ll make everyone proud.