Today, we are talking to the Young European International pageant queens, as they get ready to fly to Texas to compete in the Young American Miss International and Young Miss International, that's right! Two pageants for the price of one! Last year the team brought home 4 International titles, so there are some huge expectations!
The YEMI queens were crowned last November, at the award winning Young European International finals, directed by Pageant mum and daughter Jeyanne and Honara Wiltshire. Jeyanne has a vast amount of experience in pageantry, both competing holding numerous national and international titles, as well as directing with her mum who together created a fast growing pageant leading to internationals!We talked to some of the queens about their preparations, their best moments in pageantry as well as any advice they have for future queens!
Efa-Young European International Junior Miss
Hi Efa! How have you been using your title since winning, are you excited for internationals?
I have been working really hard within the community, I’ve raised enough money to buy another defibrillator which is my platform here in North Wales as well as attend so many events with lots of my pageant sisters! I have been practicing my walk, sorting my wardrobe and spending hours on my national costume which I can’t wait to wear on stage.
Very exciting! Can you tell us your best pageant moment so far?
Other than winning this amazing title and being part of a wonderful system, my proudest moment since would have to be winning a ‘most inspirational junior queen’ by natural beauty awards. This is YEMI’s motto, " Aspire to Inspire’ and winning this award was for me proof I was earning my crown!
All focus for now is on Texas, I have a self defense seminar, anti bullying classes coming up soon as part of my fearless female campaign and I also have a big fundraiser for Epilepsy Action.
Lastly, any advice for future queens?
Yemi is such an amazing system that helps you with your platform and charity you choose,so use your title to spread the awareness and speak loud! Enjoy every single minute because time flies.
Sophie- Young European International Miss
In the lead up to the international competition I have been working hard to attend as many appearances and charity events as I can! I have been out in local community, as well as travelling around the UK to support other pageant and charity events! My Platform is Epilepsy and Mental Health, so I have been focusing on raising more awareness for these two causes.
As well as all the appearances, I have been busy designers and getting all my outfits together for internationals, as well as photoshoots for those headshots for America!
We love a busy queen! Can you tell us your best pageant moment so far? when I was crowned Young European International Miss 2018/19. To represent Europe on the International stage in America is honestly a dream come true for me, I am so excited for Texas!
What are your plans for the rest of your reign after Texas?
I already have lots of appearances lined up for the rest of the year across the UK, which I am very excited to attend! I will continue to raise awareness and funds for the charities close to my heart and continue to use my title to it's full potential.
Lastly, any advice for future YEMI queens?
To enjoy every second of being a YEMI queen and embrace every minute. Grab every opportunity that comes your way with both hands, and always be yourself.
Georgia- Young European International Mrs
I have been preparing for internationals by ensuring I make the most of my national title by attending numerous appearances to add to my community hours. In the YAMI/YMI system, there isn't a publicity award but a community service award which is awarded to the person who has served the most hours to her title. I have saved up and bought my national wear which I can't wait for you to all see and made sure I have all my outfits throughout my stay in Texas. Now, most people go on a crazy diet before a big pageant, but I have decided to not change my eating habits as I am happy with how I look, and hopefully this will show on stage.
My best pageant moment has to be when my best friend Hannah was crowned Young European International Queen of Queens. If it wasn't for Hannah introducing me to pageants and then YEMI, then I wouldn't be involved with such a tight knit community and have the opportunity to compete internationally.
Knowing that I am sharing the stage with her in Texas is a highlight in itself.
Ok, so let this be known Georgia wrote that all herself, I did not pay her haha! Tell us about the rest of your plans for after Texas( international crown or not)?
My plans for the rest of the year is to raise money for my platform- Alzheimer's Society. I have another half marathon lined up in October and some mini fundraising ideas to add. I will also be
involved alongside the Calne Mayor and getting more involved with my community.
Lastly, any words of advice to the future YEMI finalists?
Enjoy your reign! You are representing the system that Jeyanne and Noz have worked so hard for. Enjoy your time and the opportunists that come your way and get out there, live up to the motto aspire to inspire!
Hannah- Young European International Queen of Queens
Since I am the one writing the interview, I will just list the questions! My preparations for the Internationals finals...
I have a slight advantage preparing for internationals as I placed 2nd runner up in 2018, however the finals this year are even bigger and there is double the chance of a crown so I am leaving no stone unturned! I have spent months making my national wear, so much so that my glue gun actually broke! I am so excited to show you the final piece of all my hard work!! I'm very lucky my evening dresses are being sponsored by JUST Boutique,as myself and Georgia are one of the faces of JUST Boutique! For me being a plus size queen, it was very hard to find a gown last year whereas this year the Tease collection fits like a glove!
I spend alot of my weekends at pageant events, as well as behind the laptop for Sparkles and Rhinestones! I have put nearly two years of hard work into this international final, from winning in 2017 pregnant, the heartache of only being a runner up in Texas then being crowned queen of queens last November, I am ready to close this chapter with a matching crown to Pea!
What is your best pageant memory?
I have so many amazing pageant moments, from getting to fly to Texas for the first time as well as competing in Disneyland Paris! Being able to win a pageant whilst being pregnant was unheard of and I am so proud to be inspiring others to compete! I have also gained the bestest of friends through pageants, and was so proud to watch my bestie Georgia be crowned the Mrs winner. I cried more for her winning than I did at my crowning moment, and my handover!
Georgia has worked so hard in pageant land and always just missed that crown, all she needed was the right system and the YEMI crown was waiting for her! We finally get to fly away together again, except it's not as crazy as Zante this time!
Plans for the rest of the year?
We have a Wiltshire beauty queen pageant calendar which has all our events for the rest of the year! I will be doing more stuff with Sparkles and Rhinestones, from another confidence session as well as holding confidence sessions for a couple of different pageant finals. I also hope to do more work in my community and for my patron charity The Beni Bear Club!
Lastly, my advice to future pageant queens...
My advice would be to research the system, do you want to just win a crown or do you want to represent a legacy. I feel proud to put my YEMI crown on every day and want you to have that same feeling! Never give up on your dreams, keep on believing in yourself, try to avoid anything negative and if in doubt, gem it up!
Domanique- Young European International Ms
Hi Domanique! So you took over my title back in November and you have done it justice! How are you bringing this into internationals?
Preparing for internationals is full on! From hair to shoes, every detail is accounted for and checklists are a must right now! Lucky our YEMI directors and former Queens are on hand to help every step of the way! Preparations can be a lot to take in, but as it's internationals, it's so exciting and I am reminding myself to enjoy every second of it!
Pageant check list save lives! Tell me one of your best pageant moments to date?
Wow, there are so many moments wearing this crown! From attending the MTM Awards to local pet shop fundraisers. The best moments are always the unexpected one, when strangers want to talk to me about being a YEMI Queen and are genuinely interested in my platforms. Knowing that I am helping change the perception of pageantry, but also having the support from people I never knew beforehand whilst being able to give back to the community.
Of course Texas is only days away, but tell us your plans for the rest of your year as a YEMI queen?
I'm hoping to host another event to raise money for charity. This time I will be raising funds for the Conservation Park in South Africa that cares for Rhinos. This is a charity that my employers sponsor on a yearly basis, and I want to do something independently to attribute to that. Alongside this I'm also keen to keep on attending local events, judging pageants as well as raising money for my chosen charities and raising awareness on important issues surrounding our wildlife.
Lastly, can you give our readers some last minute pageant advice?
My advice would be to just be yourself, no one else can be you and that is your super power!! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity so enjoy every moment and enjoy continuing your journey inspiring others. Don't forget to get all the rest you can get because it will go by so fast and be super busy!
If you would like to compete in the 4th National finals of Young European International Pageants, you can find them on facebook @yemipageants or check out their website at www.yemipageants.com
Photos by Ant Bradshaw (Style and Story Photography), Charlotte Clemie, Stacey Clarke,Jason Wade Photography, HJS Photography and the phones of pageant queens
Domanique- Young European International Ms
Hi Domanique! So you took over my title back in November and you have done it justice! How are you bringing this into internationals?
Preparing for internationals is full on! From hair to shoes, every detail is accounted for and checklists are a must right now! Lucky our YEMI directors and former Queens are on hand to help every step of the way! Preparations can be a lot to take in, but as it's internationals, it's so exciting and I am reminding myself to enjoy every second of it!
Pageant check list save lives! Tell me one of your best pageant moments to date?
Wow, there are so many moments wearing this crown! From attending the MTM Awards to local pet shop fundraisers. The best moments are always the unexpected one, when strangers want to talk to me about being a YEMI Queen and are genuinely interested in my platforms. Knowing that I am helping change the perception of pageantry, but also having the support from people I never knew beforehand whilst being able to give back to the community.
Of course Texas is only days away, but tell us your plans for the rest of your year as a YEMI queen?
I'm hoping to host another event to raise money for charity. This time I will be raising funds for the Conservation Park in South Africa that cares for Rhinos. This is a charity that my employers sponsor on a yearly basis, and I want to do something independently to attribute to that. Alongside this I'm also keen to keep on attending local events, judging pageants as well as raising money for my chosen charities and raising awareness on important issues surrounding our wildlife.
Lastly, can you give our readers some last minute pageant advice?
My advice would be to just be yourself, no one else can be you and that is your super power!! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity so enjoy every moment and enjoy continuing your journey inspiring others. Don't forget to get all the rest you can get because it will go by so fast and be super busy!
If you would like to compete in the 4th National finals of Young European International Pageants, you can find them on facebook @yemipageants or check out their website at www.yemipageants.com
Photos by Ant Bradshaw (Style and Story Photography), Charlotte Clemie, Stacey Clarke,Jason Wade Photography, HJS Photography and the phones of pageant queens
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