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| Miss Teen United States 2015, Andreia Gibau |
I had the chance to chat with the lovely Andreia Gibau, Miss Teen United States 2015. Miss Teen United States is part of the Miss United States organization. Andreia is from New York and a student at St.Johns University. We talked about her experience in pageants, what's it like being Miss Teen United States and pageant tips for your next pageant !
1. How did you first get started in pageants ?
AG: In high school I was very much into acting and I was part of my high school’s competitive drama club program. For over a year my drama club director kept suggesting I try to compete in pageants because he thought I would be very successful. At first I was very hesitant, but he just never stopped bringing it up and then I was finally like okay, I’ll do some research and see if I would be interested. One weekend I grabbed my laptop and watched pageant competitions back to back, from all different systems and years and read about what it meant to win a pageant and everything that can come from it. After one day of thorough research I knew that this was something I wanted to do and competed in my very first pageant in 2013 where I was a semi-finalist.
2. When you decided to first compete for your state pageant , what was your motivation for wanting to competing ?
AG: My motivation for wanting to compete for Miss Teen New York United States was I not only wanted to make my parents proud, I wanted to impact people and make a difference. As soon as I finished my first pageant I knew I wanted experience that weekend all over again. I also met so many girls doing amazing things in their communities and I was just so inspired. I always love to challenge myself, I always love to represent something bigger than myself and competing in my state pageant I was doing just that.
3. At the moment you were standing as one of the last two girls, during the Miss Teen United States pageant, what were your thoughts, your feelings?
AG: If I could somehow relive that moment every day, I would. I was overwhelmed with happiness and all I kept thinking was “is this really happening.” Up until that moment I had imagined that scenario in my mind so many times, and when I was actually standing there the final two I was just so in shock so I had my eyes closed and tried to calm myself and fully take in everything that was happening.
4. What has being Miss Teen United States been like for you? Are you still in awe of all the things that you have been able to experience in your reign?
AG: I can’t begin to explain how grateful and humbled I am to have had this opportunity. I have been able to travel and experience new cities, try new things, and meet amazing people across the United States. I have made friends that I know will last a lifetime and looking back at my year so far I am truly overjoyed. It has proven to me that I can really achieve anything I want, as long as I work hard. It has also been an amazing learning experience for me. I have grown so much as a person and become even more confident in myself and everything I stand for.
5. What is a day like for Miss Teen United States?
AG: I am not the best with having breakfast every morning, but days that I have an appearance I must have a good breakfast to make sure my energy and stamina is at 100% if not close all day long. I constantly have to keep in my mind that I’m not out to save the world, but I’m out to represent something bigger than myself. The days that I am in my crown/sash is a day where people around me pay extra attention and I make sure I’m inspiring, motivating, listening, and sharing awareness with everyone I meet. I don’t take any day for granted because this opportunity is not forever, it has a countdown and I want to make sure I’m using it to the best of my ability.
6. Your platform is promoting social inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Why is this cause so important to you?
AG: Social inclusion for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities is something I have been promoting before pageantry and something I am so passionate about. Over the years I have been so fortunate enough to be able to work with people that have IDD through the Special Olympics and Best Buddies. I saw how amazingly talented, loving, and dynamic the people I met were but our society does not seem to know that. People with disabilities are constantly shut out from society and not given a chance when it comes to their goals and dreams. During the Special Olympics competitions, they’re in a loving, energetic environment and they are so comfortable and confident in themselves. I kept thinking to myself why can’t society give off the same environment for them like these incredible organizations are doing. What really did it for me was when my cousin, who has Autism, was severely beaten by a school classmate just for being “different” to me that was it, I knew I had to not only speak up for my cousin but for everyone with IDD. My goal is for society to truly be more accepting and open to fostering friendships with people with IDD and being open to giving them employment and other opportunities just like anyone else.
7. Is this it for you when it comes to pageants, or will you compete in the future ?
AG: I absolutely plan on competing in the future, I’m very excited to see what’s in store especially since I’ll be transitioning into the Miss division. Pageantry has given me an amazing outlet to share my passion, and do what I love.
5 Pageant Tips from Miss Teen United States:
Tip #1: Do not compare yourself to anyone else. Pageant weekend is not the weekend to have self-doubt and feel insecure. It’s not easy, so I suggest learning to love yourself for everything you are, 100% as part of your pageant preparation. Remember you’re always good enough.
Tip #2: Before your interview, if you start to feel nervous and anxious; tell yourself that these judges are friends. Friends that you haven’t seen in a long time and you just can’t wait to tell them what you have been up to. It should make you feel at ease, because the last thing you want to see the interview portion as is “the judgment zone”
Tip #3: There is a difference between a genuine smile and a fake smile. If you are having trouble portraying a genuine smile on stage, think of a memory that makes you happy. It exudes an energy the judges will love.
Tip #4: Know yourself, try keeping a journal and write about yourself, your interests, experiences, and what motivates you.
Tip #5: Practice, Practice, Practice, Practice. Not your answers word for word, but practice your stage presence and routine. The more comfortable and effortless you are on stage the better you’ll do.
Connect with Andrea online !
Instagram - @MissTeenUnitedStates
Facebook – Facebook.com/MissTeenUnitedStates
Snapchat - @Andreia_MG
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