Miss South Africa finalist Liesl Laurie talks beauty, fitness and beauty pageant.
Why did you enter this competition?
Becoming Miss South Africa has always been a dream of mine. I fell in love with the pageant in 2003 while watching the beautiful Claudia Henkel being crowned and I remember telling myself that I would one day become the ambassador of my beautiful country.
Last year I made the brave decision to enter the pageant as I felt that everything I am, every decision I have made, had led me to this point. All my pain, heartache, joy and the crazy enlightening experiences had prepared me for this amazing journey.
I believe that I am ready for the title and responsibility of Miss South Africa.
What has been the most difficult part of the competition for you so far?
The competition has been an amazing blessing thus far and for me the only difficult thing about being a part of such a prestigious competition is that I had to realise that there can only be one queen at the end of the journey. Even though I have created beautiful bonds with my fellow top 12 “sisters” over the past few months, I know that we cannot all win the title of Miss South Africa 2015.
Why do you think you deserve to be Miss South Africa?
In my opinion a great Miss South Africa should possess perseverance, confidence as well as being relatable.
She should not be afraid to get her hands dirty and always remain humble. She should be compassionate and have a passion for her beautiful country and its people.
A great Miss South Africa should have a sense of humour, have the ability to inspire and be a beacon of hope to her country and later the world. I believe I possess all of those qualities and strive to grow better day by day– therefore, I believe I am deserving of the title Miss South Africa 2015.
How do you feel about the controversy of the size zero debate in the industry?
In my opinion all women are beautiful. You do not necessarily have to be a size zero, as long as you have a healthy body, mind and spirit, you are holistically beautiful.
Five tips for staying healthy and looking as good as you do?
- Drink at least 2 litres of water per day.
- Never skip breakfast; after all its the most important meal of the day.
- A healthy mind equals a healthy body or lifestyle, don’t pollute your mind with unhealthy habits and thoughts. Always remain positive.
- Take a jog at least three times a week, it will keep you feeling refreshed and fit and also it’s a great way to clear your mind after a long hard day.
- Remain committed to any plan you start. I do this by working out with a partner (my younger sister)– she keeps me motivated and committed to my fitness goals.
