Interview with Farrah Grant , Miss Caribbean U.K. 2020 Finalist

Firstly thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions about your pageant journey it’s lovely getting to know my fellow pageant queens and about the systems that they represent.

So what made you enter pageants ?

I’m always looking for ways to grow my character and push myself, applying to take part in a pageant was the perfect thing to push me out of my comfort zone. I believe that entering a pageant would help me develop skills that I thought could use a bit of improving such as public speaking and my confidence within myself. My mother being a former pageant queen herself also played a part in my decision to enter a pageant, I believed this was something that we could bond over.

What made you decide to compete in for the title of Miss Caribbean U.K. 2020?

The main reason for me wanting to compete in the Miss Caribbean UK 2020 pageant is because I want to be a part of something that helps promote the West Indies. As a population in the UK, we are small and not many people are educated on West Indian culture, the main response I get when I tell someone where I’m from is “where is that?” “I’ve never heard of that”, I am trying to change that. Winning this title would mean that I am an ambassador, representing the West Indies and more importantly my own small islands of the Turks and Caicos, and ultimately I will be a part of educating people about our culture. This opportunity also allows me to really delve into volunteering and being involved with charities and movements that I am passionate about.

What’s your pageant platform and why ?

My pageant platform is VSO ICS, in particular their education programme. I have volunteered with them in the past, and I have seen the wonderful work that they do and the impact that it has. Their education programme focuses on helping children in small villages who are unable to attend school because their parents can’t afford the fee’s or simply because they are female; help to teach them English and Maths. Whilst I was volunteering with VSO ICS, we would run after school sessions for the local school as well as host game events such as sports days, talk to the children about the future and what they can achieve to help encourage the children to go to school. Education doesn’t just stop there as they also believe that teaching the people of the community life lasting skills is important, such as putting waste in the bin or simply how to make a low-cost bin. Education can come in any shape or form and I believe making it universal and accessible for all is KEY and makes a massive difference to anyone’s future.

What’s your dream title ?

Miss Caribbean UK

If you were to win Miss Caribbean U.K. 2020 what would it mean to you ?

Winning the Miss Caribbean UK 2020 pageant would mean so much to me. It would prove that if I am capable of putting myself out of my comfort zone, actually pursuing a dream and working hard towards it despite adversity, so can you! It would give me a chance to be that role model for girls that lack that bit of confidence in themselves, that don’t believe that they can achieve their dreams, I would love to be that example. Winning would also mean that I have the platform to educate people about my culture and island, Turks and Caicos.

What’s the best advice you have for fellow pageant queens ?

Taking part is what maters the most, having a good time and building lasting relationships with people. I can’t wait to meet my fellow pageant queens and get to know them.

What have you been doing in the run up to the final of Miss Caribbean U.K. ?

Because this will be my first ever pageant, I’ve been practicing things like my walk and my speech, by answering pageant questions. I’ve also been watching the previous pageants for MCUK so that I can get an idea of what to expect when the final day comes. I’ve also been trying to put myself out there a bit more and promote the fact that I am a contestant in this pageant.

How has the lockdown due to COVID- 19 effected your pageant journey ?

COVID-19 has made it a little harder to get fully involved with charities and also has put a hold on fundraiser events and ideas that I had planned for the summer. I am however trying to work around this and do what I can whilst we are in lockdown.

What makes a good pageant role model ?

I think that a good pageant role model is real and down to earth, they’re able to set an example and be a good and effective ambassador not just for the system that they’ve applied for but in general. I believe that characteristics such as hardworking, supportive, resilient, uses initiative, productive and proactive are all synonymous with being a good pageant role model.

You can follow Farrah’s journey on Instagram

Instagram: _farrahgrant

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions about your upcoming pageant. I wish you all the best in competing in your first ever pageant ! Please keep me informed. Much love Charlotte, Ms Diamond South Yorkshire 2020.