There’s more to pageants than glam
Former Miss Malaika finalist, Alexandria Ayirebi-Acquah has asked contestants of beauty pageants not to look at only the glitz, glamour and fame that come with such events but also focus on using the platform to better their lot.
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She said contestants who focused only on the glamourous aspect of such events were selling themselves short, considering the myriad of opportunities for personal improvement and networking that are available to them by virtue of the platforms.
Citing herself as an example, Alexandria who was second-runner-up at Miss Malaika 2011 told Showbiz in an interview she was discouraged to participate in the pageant because she stammers. “ For me, it was a personal challenge that if I could stand in front of a crowd and confront this fear of mine, I could be an inspiration to other girls who have insecurities. Whether it is their physical appearance or emotional inadequacies, at least my story will in some small way add value to their lives,” she said.
She however criticized the proliferation of beauty pageants in the country, adding that some of the competitions had made it hard for people to take the good ones serious and as a result, they have lost their significance.
Alexandria said the flooding of the market with all sorts of pageants meant not much effort and resources where going into preparation and execution of these events, resulting in very poor competitions.
She also attributed the failure of most beauty contestants to undertake their projects after winning was due to the absence of guidance and direction from the organisers of the competitions.
“A lot of the contestants genuinely have plans of following through with their projects but usually after the events, especially at the end of their reign, they are not given the guidance and support needed to see through their promises,” she said.
Alexandria who works as the Public Relations and Communications person for the Lizzy Sports Complex and the Marseille Desalily Foundation revealed that she would soon be delving into television as the host of a brand new morning show programme on GHOne Television titled The Morning Express.
“It be the first morning show on the station. We would be discussing many important issues that affect society but the difference is that The Morning Express would be more interactive.
“We would be incorporating a lot of social media to cater for the youth because most of the morning shows on television are too intense and we want to make ours more fun and exciting,” she said.