After getting home and having a week to catch up with my clients, friends and family, I wanted to make a blog post to reflect upon my amazing experience.
Arriving for Pageant Week, well rested and ready for the busiest week of the year!
Straight into bikini and evening gown photo shoot with Alumski Photography
and of course, Sherri Hill cocktail Dress photo shoot with Fadil Berisha!
Official Miss Universe Canada Headshot, taken by the renowned Fadil Berisha
Fadil Berisha Photography
Pageant Week
First dinner out together before the Launch Party.
Left to Right: Sarah Ainsley Harrison, Catherine Young, Siera Bearchell, Ashley Callingbull.
My first time to see Niagara Falls
Rita, Emily and I at Kultura Restaurant for one of many amazing dinners we had during pageant week!
At the Rogers Centre for the Blue Jays Game
My interview on Sports Net with Jamie Campbell and Gregg Zaun
Prelims
Preliminary Show, Bio Presentation
Preliminary Show, Bikini Competition
Preliminary Show, Evening Gown Competition
I was honoured to win Best Body Award during preliminaries earning a spot in the Top 20 at Finals.
Five Fast Track Awards, Left to Right:
People's Choice (Online Votes) - Ashley Callingbull
Best Runway Award - Siera Bearchell
Audience Favourite (Audience Votes) - Barlen Zaro
Humanitarian Award - Alexandra Mathews
Best Body Award - Sarah Ainsley Harrison
Alumski Photography
Judges Interviews
Getting ready for one-on-one interviews with the judging panel.
Finals
Finals, Top 20
Finals, Bio Presentation
Finals, Bikini Presentation
(I loved this song!)
Top 20, Bikini Competition, Final Look
Left to Right:
Ashley Callingbull, Sarah Ainsley Harrison, Alexandra Mathews, Siera Bearchell, Barlen Zaro,
Ela Mino, Andrea Cvijetic, Michelle McKay, Robyn Digeur, Emily Bondy,
Angel Bhathal, Rita Houkayem, Lindsay Goff, Diana Martin, Denise Garrido,
Ashley Cooper, Kamilah Sturton, Sarah Faraone, Claudia Scali, Riza Santos
After advancing from the Top 20 Bikini Competition to the Top 12 Evening Gown Competition.
Photographica by Maloney Aquire
Alumski Photography
Top 12, Evening Gown, Final Look
Photographica by Maloney Aquire
Left to Right:
Denise Garrido, Emily Bondy, Kamilah Sturton, Diana Martin, Ashley Cooper, Siera Bearchell,
Sarah Faraone, Rita Houkayem, Ela Mino, Sarah Ainsley Harrison, Riza Santos, Michelle McKay
Alumski Photography
I am proud and grateful to place
6th overall and win the
Best Body Award. I hope I continue to work with the Beauties Of Canada organization. This amazing group of individuals puts in a lot of love and hard work into organizing the Miss Universe Canada pageant. I am thankful and feel bettered to have known them.
www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/2013/05/miss-universe-canada-2013-top-20-top-12-and-special-award-winners/
Left to Right:
Siera Bearchell, Michelle McKay, Denise Garrido, Riza Santos, Diana Martin
I am also very proud to know the amazing women who participated as delegates. I congratulate you all on your successes, and sincerely commend Riza Santos and Denise Garrido on their gracious beauty through the final results. Riza will represent Canada well at Miss Universe!
www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/2013/05/miss-universe-canada-2013-final-results/
"
A real human mistake has shattered any illusion of superficiality in the Miss Universe Canada Pageant. The amazing integrity and depth of character the contestants have shown is a reflection of the kind of young women who are a part of this organization.
We, Miss Universe Canada, made a mistake, a human mistake, one we did not ask for. After 24 hours of being crowned Miss Universe Canada, Denise Garrido was told the crown belonged to another, Riza Santos. Our first concern was for both Riza and Denise; we wanted to be sure they were okay.
They both faced the entire event with the gentle power we have come to honour in our contestants. Denise’s words, actions and grace following the news is a true reflection of the kind of integrity and true beauty of these young women. Riza showed perfect humility and grace when told she was the true winner.
Take out accusations of foul play and you are left with a view of the true character of the women this pageant draws as well as the integrity of the organization to admit its error immediately. And it is the errors in life from which greatness is rooted.
The Miss Universe Canada pageant is not a place for perfectionism; it is a place of genuine character and beauty. Miss Universe Canada is deeply sincere in making sure this does not happen again, however we have to admire what has shone through in these young women."
www.beautiesofcanada.com/muc/2013/05/grace-and-depth-of-character/
