Catching up with Dayana Mendoza, Miss Universe 2008
Last month Miss Venezuela, Dayana Mendoza, was crowned Miss Universe making her the fifth Latina to win the title in the new millennium. Today Dayana took time from her crazy busy schedule to chat with me. She quickly told me the next best thing to wining Miss Universe was spending a day with her mother in New York City, whom she now misses very much. Dayana shared with us this moment in her journey as Miss Universe.
Paula: What is the role of beauty pageants today when the role of women has shifted and women are leading from business to politics?
Dayana: All of this is proof that women can make their dreams come true. The beauty of a pageant is that it brings people from all over together in a Universal festivity where we can forget about our political and personal diferences. People and countries come together.
Paula: What example do you hope to set for other latinas?
Dayana: I would say that respecting yourself and making other people respect you. Also, have faith in your own abilities and where they can get you. Look for ways where you can improve becasue we are all human there is always room to improve ourselves.
Paula: You’ve chosen as you mission to educate about AIDS/HIV. What compelled you to choose this?
Dayana: I’m putting my grain of sand on this very critical issue and being Miss Universe gives me the platform to do it. In the Latina culture many times these kind of topics are tabu so people are afraid to discuss them but prevention is so important it is here that education becomes the key.
Paula: Who is your greatest source of inspiration?
Dayana: My family
Paula: What is the mark you wish to leave as Miss Universe 2008?
Dayana: I’d like to make this world a little bit better.
Paula
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