By Melanie Grace Bennett
So tell me something, do you like Pageants?
Well, for those of you who do not know me, I do, and I know there are a lot of women who love pageants too.
When I was recruited to compete in my first pageant, I was so shy, really shy actually, but a dress maker who was fitting me for a dress insisted I join, and she called the director right on the spot. So the next thing I knew a few days later I was in a studio where the registration took place.
Island Beaches of Cebu
The director was there. She asked me to make one full turn, unsmiling, she looked at my face, stone cold. It felt like an audition. She expressed nothing to make me feel, like I was good enough to join. There was this lady with her –I guess you could say she was her assistant. She would write down all the comments she made about the applicants. I guess she liked me because she continued to start scheduling training days.
I found myself submerged in personality development, proper dieting & nutrition, exercising tips, skin care, hair care, beauty care and included the basic stage walk, stage presence and confidence. There was emphasis on the movement of the neck, the face, and hands, how to sit, how to smile, how to be proper and how to be completely lady like. It was all quite overwhelming. What did a young 18 year old girl got herself into?
It wasn’t easy as I thought to myself, if I’m really going to go through with this, I better start practicing every day until the show.
Miss Universe. 1969 – Miss Gloria Diaz.
I am sure, most of the girls who decided to join, experienced the same feelings. The director had instilled into the girls to be their best, to do their best and to train to be the best that they could possibly be. She pushed the girls to their limits emotionally, day in and day out, but she did it from a place of love for the girls, something that a lot of directors and coaches may have trouble with.
She has the talent for seeking that potential in a young woman. She has been a great mentor to not only me, but to many young women that have had the opportunity to cross paths with. She would like to remain anonymous but with all due respect, all of the credit goes to her. She is now celebrating 25 years in the world of prestigious pageantry, has planned & judged many pageants, and she knows her stuff!
Ok, so flash forward to the show. All my hard work paid off.
I won the title of Bb. Pilipinas BC, Best in Long gown, Best in National costume, and Best in swimsuit, I was so honored to take home four awards. I was sent to compete in Ontario. and competed in Bb. Pilipinas of the World International. I became 2nd Runner-Up and 1st Runner-Up in Talent.
I went home happy.
Tree planting charity event.
A few short weeks later, I got a phone call from a casting director in Toronto telling me I had been selected to Represent Canada as Miss Canada for the Miss Earth Pageant, to be held in Manila, Philippines.
I was just about to finish high school at that time. I packed my dresses and high heels and off I went! I became an ambassador of Canada, a model, a spokeswoman for environmental awareness issues, and worked hard to raise money for the charities that the organization supported.
To be honest, looking back, everything happened so incredibly fast, it was hard to enjoy it in a moment. It just felt like hard work. I am truly grateful, however, for my experiences. A year later, after training very hard, I decided to audition in Vancouver, BC to compete in the Miss Universe Canada pageant in Ontario.
I was selected as a finalist to represent my hometown. I didn’t win. But I was very happy and proud that my career in pageants like these was fulfilled.
Enjoying Coconut water. Hungary, Canada, Dominican Republic, Uganda
I love yoga, staying active, fit and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
I am a Licensed Esthetician/Spa Therapist, I operate my own business, I cater to corporate clients, I am a mom and a wife. I continue to be a role model to those who seek my advice.
As one of the co-hosts of an up-and-coming Web-TV program of Le Pageant by STAR 7 MEDIA.TV
I have been appointed as one of the Directors of Le Pageant Inc.
I am looking forward to new adventures in writing, mentoring, training and encouraging young women to be their absolute best, not only on stage but in their personal goals as well. I am also looking forward to interviewing past title holders.
Melanie Grace Bennett was Miss Earth Canada and one of the co-hosts of the Web-TV program of Le Pageant by STAR 7 MEDIA.TV.
