- Title: Miss Universe candidates discuss their aspirations ahead of the pageant
- Date: 27th January 2017
- Summary: MANILA, PHILIPPINES (JANUARY 27, 2017) (REUTERS) **** WARNING CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY **** PRESS JUNKET ONGOING VARIOUS OF JOURNALISTS INTERVIEWING MISS UNIVERSE CANDIDATES VARIOUS OF MISS USA, DESHAUNA BARBER, POSING (SOUNDBITE) (English) MISS USA, DESHAUNA BARBER, SAYING: "Whatever it is that they want to be, that there's a glass ceiling I think it is important for us to break out of that. I think it's important for us to say that you know what, what do you really want to do in life? What is that? And whatever it is, do it. I've always wanted to be in the military and I always knew, at least since I was 19 that I want to be the next Miss Universe." VARIOUS OF MISS CANADA, SIERA BEARCHELL, POSING (SOUNDBITE) (English) MISS CANADA, SIERA BEARCHELL, SAYING: "The first thing I would do is continue to speak about body positivity, body image, self-image and encouraging a woman to be happy to who they are and understand that self-confidence, self-worth, validation all that comes from within." VARIOUS OF MISS JAPAN, SARI NAKAZAWA, POSING (SOUNDBITE) (Japanese) MISS JAPAN, SARI NAKAZAWA, SAYING: "In Japan, people tend to assume Miss Universe is all about one's appearance, but that's not the case. There's a one month test, and they take a close look at our personalities. Choosing a woman with the right balance is the most important part of Miss Universe, so I want more girls to take on challenges even as a way to improve themselves. I also hope more people will participate in Miss Universe as well." VARIOUS OF MISS GERMANY, JOHANNA ACS, POSING (SOUNDBITE) (English) MISS GERMANY, JOHANNA ACS, SAYING: "First of all, every culture kind of enriches my life. I feel like I'm a better person after every travel because you learn so much from all the people that you meet during the travels and even just the culture of the country just gives you a lot and yeah I have learned that the world is a beautiful place and I just want to see as much as possible and meet as many as possible." MISS PERU, VALERIA PIAZZA, POSING (SOUNDBITE) (English) MISS PERU, VALERIA PIAZZA, SAYING: "I will say to people like always believe in their dreams, like some things happen for something, there's always a reason. Maybe that thing that happened to me is a reason that I am more strong right now, and I am more grateful." VARIOUS OF MISS GREAT BRITAIN, JAIME-LEE FAULKNER, POSING (SOUNDBITE) (English) MISS GREAT BRITAIN, JAIME-LEE FAULKNER, SAYING: "Having that title gives us that platform to raise awareness to whatever our personal stories are, to whatever our charities are, and so everyone's here for different reasons, but all for good reasons." VARIOUS OF MISS UNIVERSE, PIA WURTZBACH, SPEAKING TO JOURNALISTS (SOUNDBITE) (English) MISS UNIVERSE, PIA WURTZBACH, SAYING: "He gives like comic relief to an already nerve wracking situation, you know. So being a candidate, you're already so nervous, but when you have a host that's funny, that brings some laughs, you know I appreciate that because it makes me less nervous as a candidate, so now that he's back I know the candidates will appreciate it." PRESS JUNKET ONGOING
- Embargoed: 10th February 2017 10:58
- Keywords: Miss Universe candidates USA Germany Great Britain Japan Peru Pia Wurtzbach competition
- Location: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
- City: MANILA, PHILIPPINES
- Country: Philippines
- Topics: Arts/Culture/Entertainment,Television
- Reuters ID: LVA00160UVJUV
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Miss Universe candidates on Friday (January 27) discussed their aspirations ahead of the pageant in Manila.
Over 86 candidates are in the Philippine capital to participate in the beauty contest, which will culminate in a coronation night on January 30.
Miss USA Deshauna Barber's background as a U.S. army reservist is different from the rest of the candidates, but she says her training as a soldier has helped her in whatever challenges she encountered.
"Whatever it is that they want to be, that there's a glass ceiling, I think it is important for us to break out of that. I think it's important for us to say that, you know what, what do you really want to do in life? What is that? And whatever it is, do it. I've always wanted to be in the military and I always knew, at least since I was 19, that I want to be the next Miss Universe," said Barber.
Canada's Siera Bearchell says she has always campaigned for women's empowerment and will keep on doing so regardless of the result.
"The first thing I would do is continue to speak about body positivity, body image, self image and encouraging a woman to be happy to who they are and understand that self confidence, self worth, validation all that comes from within," she said.
Japan's Sari Nakazawa says she hopes to set an example on how entering a pageant can help boost confidence.
"In Japan, people tend to assume Miss Universe is all about one's appearance, but that's not the case. There's a one month test, and they take a close look at our personalities. Choosing a woman with the right balance is the most important part of Miss Universe, so I want more girls to take on challenges even as a way to improve themselves. I also hope more people will participate in Miss Universe as well," she said.
Pia Wurtzbach, the 2015 Miss Universe, approved of Steve Harvey hosting the show again despite him mistakenly announcing the wrong winner last year.
"He gives like comic relief to an already nerve-wracking situation, you know. So being a candidate you're already so nervous, but when you have a host that's funny, that brings some laughs, you know I appreciate that because it makes me less nervous as a candidate, so now that he's back I know the candidates will appreciate it," she said.
More than half a million people are expected to tune in to watch the coronation night next week, organisers said. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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