Sasha-Lee Olivier, the runner-up in the 2019 Miss SA shares message with the world
She was born in Eden Park, moved with her family to Palm Ridge and finally spent time growing up in Brackendowns.
“Every decision you made, every failure, every good thing that happened, it’s all taken its place and you are where you want to be.”
SASHA-LEE Olivier, the runner-up in the 2019 Miss South Africa competition, is by her own account a born and bred Albertonian. She was born in Eden Park, moved with her family to Palm Ridge and finally spent time growing up in Brackendowns.
Sasha-lee attended Glenview Primary and went to Bracken High.
According to Sasha-Lee, when she was younger she aspired to compete in the Miss South Africa competition, but her reasons for doing so changed over the years.
“When I was young, what I saw was a kind princess and thought I wanted to be her,” said Sasha-Lee.
“As you grow up you realise the responsibility that comes with it and then you try to align what you stand for with that responsibility.
“I think you decide to do it not for yourself, but for those people you stand for,” she said.
As a child she preferred playing outside or playing video games over make-up and dressing up.
It’s OK to be a size 36
Sasha-Lee eventually joined the Miss South Africa competition because she wanted to set an example for young girls.
“I wanted to show them that it is OK to be a size 36,” said Sasha-Lee. “I think it is so important to show them that there is strength in overcoming things in your life.”
Sasha-Lee described the journey of Miss South Africa as an experience of a lifetime.
“When I first got the call that I was a finalist I thought it must be a prank,” said Sasha-Lee.
“I can’t describe the feeling when I realised it was actually happening. It’s the one where you realise that every decision you made, every failure, every good thing that happened, it has all taken its place and you are where you want to be.”
Sasha-Lee said she took special care to fully experience and live in each moment during the journey.
“We are so future-oriented and I wanted to take it one day at a time. There were highs and lows and we were being tested.
“It was my first chance to have a platform where I could open up and share what I stand for.”
True to herself
When asked about being on a platform of this magnitude, Sasha-Lee said that despite being a model, she will never get used to the limelight.
One of the challenges was the public not understanding her values as a plus-size model.
“The toughest moment for me was the final question. I could have given a generic answer at that moment, but what was true to me was saying that I had survived sexual abuse growing up and today, together, we are going to take our power back.”
Aside from the good experiences and friends she made, a highlight for Sash-Lee was the feedback she received on social media following her message.
“People reached out to me and said thank you for what I stand for and the message I was delivering.”
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