Miss Mauritius 2021/22, Liza Gundowry will remain at the top of the personalities of the year for a long time. The beauty queen of Mauritius clinched the 12th spot in the Miss World 2024 pageant. Liza Gundowry captivated the jury during her interview by greeting the audience in Creole: “Bonzour, ki manier”. Liza is killing it as Mauritius’ ultimate ambassador, as she totally slayed in her interview:
What motivated you to participate in the Miss World competition?
In 2020, the Miss World organization came to Mauritius to promote the newly crowned Miss World Jamaica, ToniAnn Singh.
I was interning at Défimedia at the time and attended the press conference. That’s where I discovered what Miss World was all about and the Beauty with a Purpose initiative, which inspired me to participate in the national Miss Mauritius competition.
I had originally planned to compete in 2021, but due to the Covid pandemic, I postponed my participation to the following year, which I won in 2022.
Unfortunately, there was no Miss World competition in 2023, but this year, in 2024, I was extremely proud to represent Mauritius on the international stage.
How do you feel after being selected?
I am extremely honored. Behind this success, there are two years of sacrifices and hard work.
Beauty pageants are not just about glamour and beauty, they also require a deep commitment to social projects.
For two years, I dedicated a lot of time and effort to my social project, and I am happy that it has paid off. I am very proud to represent my country and make my fellow Mauritians proud.
What do you hope to achieve or promote during your time as a finalist?
I hope to raise awareness about my Sainte-Croix project around the world. It’s a humble but significant project, and I have had the opportunity to showcase it thanks to the Beauty with a Purpose initiative.
I also hope to share this project with the Miss World organization here in Mauritius, as it is an honor for me to present my Sainte-Croix project on the international Miss World stage.
It is a lifelong dream to uplift my community of Sainte-Croix and show our resilience to the world. This project aims to tackle food insecurity.
I collaborate with a group of women from my hometown, helping them become self-sufficient through growing their own fruits and vegetables. I am proud to have been able to assist 20 women so far.
What impact do you hope to have on society through your participation in this competition?
My main goal is to inspire young girls and women. I want to show them that with dreams, hard work, and a real purpose, anything is possible.
I am an example of this myself, coming from a small country like Mauritius. I want women to feel confident and empowered, and I want to encourage them to pursue their dreams despite obstacles.
What challenges have you faced during the competition and how have you overcome them?
I have faced several challenges. As a representative of a small country, it was difficult to stand out among 120 participating countries.
Additionally, I sometimes doubted myself, but I managed to stay focused on my goal. Hearing my name called at this stage of the competition confirmed that all my efforts were worth it.
How do you plan to advocate for the causes you care about?
I am determined to continue raising awareness about food insecurity challenges in Mauritius and empowering women to address them. I am grateful for this opportunity and will continue to work hard to further these causes.
What advice would you give to young people aspiring to participate in beauty pageants in the future?
I would tell them to be prepared for the challenge. Beauty pageants require hard work, determination, and perseverance. It is important to stay focused on your goal and not be discouraged by obstacles encountered along the way. If you believe in yourself and your cause, you can achieve great things.
What are the memorable moments or experiences you have had in this competition?
I have had many memorable moments. Meeting inspiring women in India was an unforgettable experience for me. But above all, the bond I shared with my roommate from Madagascar will always stay with me. We supported each other and prayed together every night, creating a positive and warm atmosphere.
How do you plan to represent your country and its culture on the international stage?
I have already proudly represented Mauritius in the competition. I chose to highlight our multiculturalism and African and Indian roots in all my presentations.
I am determined to continue representing my country with dignity and respect on the international stage.
In fact, for the talent competition, I sang and played the piano and performed a version of “Rev Nou Anset”.
I sang in Creole and translated some lyrics into English. Everywhere I went, my national costume, all my outfits, everything I represented in this competition, truly embodied Mauritius.
What does it mean to be a role model and how do you plan to embody that?
It means inspiring others by setting an example. I want to show young girls that anything is possible with hard work and determination. I will continue to be a voice for the women and young girls of Mauritius and encourage them to pursue their dreams.
What are the most pressing issues facing women worldwide and how do you plan to address them?
Food insecurity is one of the most pressing issues in Mauritius and around the world. I will continue to raise awareness about this issue and work to empower women to address it. I will also continue to promote education and women’s empowerment as solutions to the challenges they face.
How do you envision your future beyond this competition and what are your goals for the future?
I aspire to pursue a career in international relations and conflict resolution. I want to be a positive agent of change for global cooperation, perhaps one day working at the United Nations. I will continue to use my platform to further causes that are important to me and to inspire others to act for a better world.
Source: l’Express
