Seychelles’ beauty queen back home with new title |03 November 2021
Ms Anette upon arrival at the Seychelles International Airport yesterday (Photo: Jude Morel)
Miss Seychelles 2020 Kelly-Mary Anette is back home with a new title – the Miss Intercontinental Africa crown which she won last Friday.
She also finished as the third runner-up overall in the 49th Miss Intercontinental pageant held at the Sunrise Grand Select Diamond Beach Resort in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt.
She returned home yesterday accompanied by her two chaperones – Mary Geers (also main sponsor) and Lisette Lablache after 25 hours of travel and transit by Turkish Airlines.
Ms Anette was welcomed by the First Lady, her father, her two sisters and her brother at the VIP lounge at the Seychelles International Airport.
It was an emotional homecoming for our Miss Seychelles Kelly-Mary Annette after 23 days of competition. “I feel very emotional and still in shock to absorb this victory and this is not for me, it is for the country which is bigger than me. I am so proud for accomplishing this milestone for my little nation. There are so many people out there who did not know about Seychelles, and during the 23 days of competition, they got to know about our country and for me this is everything and it fulfills me.”
Ms Anette noted that on the day of the results when her name was called in the top 20, she was surprised. “But when I was called in the Top 5, I was shocked because there were bigger countries such as Mexico, Colombia, Canada, UK and they always excel in pageants and they are economically very big. So for me, Seychelles being a very small island, I was very shocked but at the same time very joyful and I am still trying to absorb the fact that it happened.”
Talking about her experience at this pageant, Miss Seychelles 2020 expressed that this was a memorable experience. “I was so happy to be able to stand with all the major countries. What made me come so far was my interview which was a one-to-one interview. I was able to tell the story of my life and also share what I was doing as an economist in my job mainly in the blue economy and my foundation where I am helping the semi-orphans. The experience was hectic but I did it for Seychelles.”
Miss Seychelles 2020 was also elected as the Media favourite and her message for the young people is: “Pageantry is not about wearing make-up, high heels and being ‘granzar’. It is more about your personality. For this context, I was able to prepare myself for only two months and had to be prepared physically, mentally and intellectually. I have many people to thank for this, mainly President Ramkalawan, the First Lady Linda Ramkalawan, the Beauty Empowerment Seychelles, my family and the two chaperones. I was touched when I could hear in the crowd “Allez Seychelles” which gave me more confidence. I am still in shock but this victory is for Seychelles and we all can celebrate. I encourage all young girls to think about pageants and this might change their lives,” concluded Ms Anette.
Her father Simon was a proud man and he noted jokingly that when his daughter wanted to participate in the beauty pageant he told her “If you want to kill some time and have an experience, why not! Today she is making the country proud and we are all proud of her”.
Vidya Gappy
