Over 80 contestants from around the world will compete in the upcoming 68^th edition of the Miss Universe pageant and attempt to win one of the most coveted international pageant titles.

Barbados’ search for its 2019 Miss Universe representative will come to an end on 7 September with a glamourous coronation ceremony at the Hilton Barbados.

The delegates vying for the crown are; Alexandra, Hillary, Jillisa, Saffiyah, Beviny, Shanel, Kristen, Jeunessa, and Shaunice.

Yello interviewed each contestant to discover more about them and to see why they feel they deserve to represent Barbados on a worldwide stage.

Introducing:

Name: Alexandra Ortiz

Age: 25

Parish: St Peter

Describe yourself in three words:

Ambivert, stubborn and independent.

Do you have any previous pageant experience?

No, this is my first pageant. I think Miss Universe Barbados is the best of the best, it doesn’t get any higher than this, so I thought I’d take the opportunity.

What have you been doing to prepare for the competition?

Walk training at home. I have a relatively long patio and I put up a full-length mirror to check my form.

I also go online and look up different pageant questions, not because I think they’re going to be asked during the show, but because I want to challenge myself with questions that I wouldn’t necessarily think about.

I’m staying even more current with all the news, podcasts, and local media. I check it all in the morning, and if I’m not too tired, in the evening as well.

What are you enjoying the most about this experience?

I’m enjoying how in depth the question and answer sessions are because it’s making me stop and think about my genuine opinion on certain controversial issues.

It’s been a revelation in a sense and has kind of solidified who I am as a person. Not that it’s changed me, but it’s helped me to define myself a little bit more.

Who has been your biggest supporter?

My mother. She makes sure that I eat! She fires rapid round questions at me from out of the blue.

I’ll be cooking breakfast and she’ll be like, “it’s time for a political question” and I’ll say, “I’ve just woken up,” and she’ll say, “that doesn’t matter, be ready!”.

She’s also been there for me emotionally when I go through phases of doubt, which I think we all do occasionally, she’s there to bolster me and reaffirm my decisions.

If you won the MUB title, how would you use the platform to help others?

One of my biggest concerns is the environment.

I’m very conscious of the fact that we have so many issues going on globally and sometimes in Barbados we don’t see it as our issue and are distant from it.

But when you ask your grandmother or great aunt what the beaches used to be like here, and they tell you, it makes you realise how much sand has already gone and it’s concerning.

So, I’d use the platform to raise awareness and to educate people, especially children, about the problem and why they should be worried.

If you could go back 10 years, and talk to your younger self, what would you say?

I would tell myself that confidence comes with time.

Whilst I wasn’t necessarily insecure at that time, I wasn’t the most confident person especially socially, because I always felt like the odd one out.

It takes time to realise that hardly anyone feels like they fit in. It’s all just a show and you’ll get better with the acting in time and other people’s opinions will not matter.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned from this process?

Be true to yourself. There were some relationships / friendships which came under pressure during this competition and they did not withstand it.

But when I analyse the situation I realise that before, I was giving in to what other people expected and wanted from me, and compromising what I believed in, so that I didn’t rock the boat. This competition has helped me gain a stronger core made of titanium.

How would you describe Barbados to someone that hasn’t been here?

I would say the people are warm.

Barbados is still a place where you can break down on the highway at 11pm and you don’t have to worry about getting robbed at gunpoint. Someone will stop and help you because the people are genuinely warm and nice. The people are the best.

We’ve also got the best beaches in the world and I say that after being to nine other countries.

Our food is pretty good too. I would recommend trying pickled sea cat.

What’s your motto/philosophy in life?

‘No one can make you feel inferior without your approval’ by Eleanor Roosevelt. It reminds me that people’s opinions on my life do not matter and I should not concern myself with their views because it’ll just drag me down.

In fact, whether what people are telling you is good or bad, it should not matter.

You need to have an inner strength to focus on your own voice. It’s not always easy but I try.

Visit the Miss Universe Barbados website or Facebook page for more information.