Up Close … with Camilla Estico, newly crowned Miss Seychelles … Another World 2014 |10 June 2014

‘You need to dare to be different’

By Marie-Anne Lepathy

All the glamour and glitter of the décor mixed with the excitement, tension and anticipation of the 12 contestants on the crowning evening of Miss Seychelles… Another World 2014 pageant now gone, the newly crowned beauty queen Camilla Estico is on her feet ready to work on her ‘Beauty With a Purpose’ project.

Only days after the crowning the 23-year-old was rushing from one interview to another  with all the different press eager to know  more about her and her project which is based on  fighting obesity among school children and young adults. I also managed to get her to spare us a few minutes so we could learn something more on the personality of this new beauty and tourism ambassador for our country for these coming months to share with our readers.

Born under the zodiac sign of Leo to a Cuban mother and Seychellois father, Camilla is the eldest of three children. She has a brother Angel and younger sister Beatrice.
“They are my life and they inspire me,” said Camilla about her family members.

Talking excitedly, smiling between bouts of laughter, it was unbelievable how she handles the pressure of all the excitement including interviews and photo sessions she has been doing since her crowning.

“It’s great and I’m enjoying every moment of it all,” she said.

Camilla describes herself as a determined, friendly and outgoing person who loves the arts, challenges and new journeys in life.

“I am very artistically driven, I like learning new things in the arts and I love learning about different cultures and also embarking on new journeys and take on challenges in life,” she said excitedly.

Camilla, who had the chance to take some photos with a group of young girls from La Digue soon after the crowning, said they were all excited and eager to learn about her and the pageant.
“But they seemed so shy to come forward,” she said.

“The first thing I said to them was: you need to dare to be different; you can’t just be scared and always hold yourselves back. This Miss Seychelles pageant is not just about the beauty that meets the eye, it is much more than that,” Camilla pointed out.

Camilla said she hopes the beauty with a purpose theme continues for many years to come as it is a great opportunity for young girls to develop their creativity.

She is also hoping that she will have the opportunity during her reign to visit La Digue and Praslin to inspire and encourage more young girls there to take part in the pageant “for the right reasons of course”.

Camilla, who lives with her family at La Batie (in the Beau Vallon district), went to Independent and Bel Eau primary schools as well as Mont Fleuri secondary.

In 2005 her family moved to the United States, more precisely to Tampa, Florida and there she furthered her studies at the Howard W. Blake Performing Arts High School where she graduated in 2009.

 After a semester break, Camilla was accepted at the Alvin Ailey Dance Theatre in New York City where she did two and a half years independent study.

“My family saw in me an artistic potential and ambition,” Camilla said.

Following the two years at Alvin Ailey, Camilla decided to go back to her academic studies. She did that at a College in Florida.

She followed classes in AA and business degree but has not graduated yet but she is keen to pursue and complete her studies in that field.

Camilla, who came back to Seychelles in December last year, said she is so happy to be home and now that she has been crowned Miss Seychelles … Another World 2014 she would have a very busy schedule during  her year-long reign.

Camilla describes the three months of grooming in preparation for the pageant as hectic but exciting.

“For me the most important thing during the three months was that we learned to know and how to carry ourselves better and of course I also learned a lot from other contestants as well,” Camilla added.

“It was a really great experience,” she recalled.

Camilla, who had the support of her family all along leading up to the tense crowning ceremony, said they were “very philosophical”.

“They said: ‘Remember if you don’t win it’s an experience and be ready for whatever the results,’ but they never for once told me I was the winner already. All of them, including my uncles and aunties, told me: ‘You are a winner for us in the family for taking part in the pageant. But remember whatever the results are, it’s where you go from here and not where you go back from here - like it’s a stepping stone in your life’,” Camilla reminisced.

“I really appreciated that from them,” she added gratefully.

After taking some time to celebrate with her family and friends, Camilla is eager to start working on her project and like her family the Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) is also her tower of strength and support.

“I am just happy to have the support I have from everyone and I have a wonderful feeling about the coming year,” she mused.

Camilla, whose family home is situated not far from the beach, said this is a delight for her and she goes there all the time.

“This is my therapy I would say and it is the best thing for me. I usually jog in the morning or if I don’t I do it in the evening,” she said.

She also spends lots of time with her family and her little dog Joy.

While she does her share of housework helping her mother out, Camilla also enjoys nature, exploring nature trails with her friends.

After living for nine years in the US, Camilla said sometimes  when living in a big city you lose contact with nature.

“Being back home really makes me appreciate these things even more. I always wake up to find something new and inspiring and it is a great pleasure to be Miss of my country,” she said.

Camilla, who also enjoys cooking, said she is still mastering her art of cooking Creole dishes and her father is her teacher in this aspect.

“Living in the States for nine years I didn’t have the ingredients and the things to cook Creole food,” she said laughing.

Camilla’s favourite dish is octopus curry.

“It’s simply amazing and I love it,” she said.

Painting is another hobby of Camilla’s.

“I’m just inspired by art and I plan to paint the view of the beach from my house,” Camilla noted.

A very social person, Camilla said she likes spending time and going out with her friends, adding that she is delighted when she got back in December all her good friends came back.

Talking about the numerous prizes she has received as winner of the pageant, Camilla said: “They are really good and they include everything to keep me in shape, including a personal trainer manicure and pedicure.”

On the forthcoming Miss World pageant at the end of the year,  Camilla said she is looking forward to this great event and she will make the most of the opportunity to showcase what Seychelles has to offer in all possible aspects.

Camilla also avails of this opportunity to express her heartfelt thanks and appreciation to her family, the STB, sponsors and everyone who has supported her throughout the pageant.