Interview with Janice MacGregor – Miss Regal World Delegate and International Ms Canada 2018

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

Can you introduce yourself ?

Name: Janice MacGregor

Title:

Miss Regal World Delegate International Ms Canada 2018

Age: Sorry, there was a glitch with my phone. I didn’t hear that. 😂🤣

What made you enter pageants ?

Pageants seemed (and proved to be) a great way to meet and connect with women of different backgrounds and to spread my messages of epilepsy awareness, anti-racism, and civil rights.

Can you tell us about your journey so far including previous titles ?

1. Miss Saskatoon 2007

2. Miss Saskatchewan 2007

3. Miss Canada International 2008 (I didn’t place but I left with dear friends with whom I am still in contact.)

4. Miss World Canada (I didn’t place but I value the experience immensely because I met some remarkable women from across my country.)

5. International Ms Canada 2018 (I placed in the Top 10 at the International Ms 2019 pageant, and I won Best in Evening Gown and the Determination Award.)

6. Miss Regal World 2020 Delegate.

Pageants have been a great way for me to meet women from different countries, cultures, and socioeconomic statuses. Meeting these women has been a great privilege! With COVID-19 forcing us to evolve, the Miss Regal World Pageant has stepped up to allow me to meet a diverse group of women while remaining safe and healthy.

What made you decide to compete in the Miss Regal World Pageant ?

The Miss Regal World Pageant is a way that pageant lovers across the globe can do what we love doing while being safely quarantined and without being limited by travel restrictions. With quarantine putting a damper on pageantry this is a safe and socially responsible way to compete without potentially compromising anyone’s health. And since entering I’ve adopted this amazing sisterhood of women and girls from around the world.

What the best thing that pageants have taught you ?

Pageants have cemented my belief in the value of knowing about and appreciating other people’s cultures, religions, and experiences.

What’s your pageant platform and why ?

One of my pageant platforms is epilepsy awareness. It’s my mission to educate people about epilepsy and first aid for seizures and to inspire other people with epilepsy to reach for their goals. My other platform is diversity/anti-racism. In 2018 I started the movement to have American civil rights activist Clyde Kennard awarded an honorary posthumous doctorate from the University of Southern Mississippi. The campaign was successful and Mr. Kennard was awarded the first posthumous degree in the history of University of Southern Mississippi.

What’s your dream title ?

Miss Regal World

If you were to win Miss Regal World what would it mean to you ?

Winning would mean that I could be a representative of a revolutionary pageant system! Miss Regal World isn’t just about getting to compete while quarantined. This is a testament to the human race’s will to defeat COVID-19. We have all suffered losses and grieve for the lives

lost due to this pandemic. We sympathize with those who’s financial, economic, or employment statuses have been effected. We acknowledge what this virus is doing to the world and are not minimizing the situation. But Miss Regal World shows how humankind will adapt and conquer this virus because we’re all in this together. Delgate or not; pageant fan or not: We are united in this fight against COVID-19. That’s what this system means to me, personally. Our pageant director has mobilized a union of women across the globe who are serving their communities and is giving us a platform to share our message and have our voices be heard. For example, I could spread my message about epilepsy awareness on an international level if I won. And of course I will continue advocating for the civil rights of people of colour, the LGBTQ community, and women & girls.

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

You’ve got to be yourself. If you win while being your authentic self then you get the opportunity to be true to yourself and evolve as you learn from the experiences that come from being a titleholder.

What do you do in the run up to pageant finals ?

In the run up to International Ms 2018 I spent my time upcycling outfits that I already owned so they could be worn again onstage. It’s amazing what adding some rhinestones can do to make a 10 year old piece look stage worthy! In the run up to Miss Regal World I’ve been savouring every moment bonding with my sister queens online, in DM’s, and in video chats!

What’s you favourite ever appearance ?

Hands down, any appearance that benefits children with epilepsy. Choosing one in particular is difficult though.

How has the lockdown due to COVID19 effected your pageant journey ?

COVID-19 actually put me on a new exciting pageant journey! I found a new online pageant that was designed to keep pageantry alive and thriving during this trying time.

What makes a good pageant role model ?

I think that someone who speaks her mind articulately while remaining polite, civil, and respectful is a good role model in the pageant world and outside the pageant world. One must also be open to hearing and valuing other people’s opinions.

What’s your favourite pageant round ?

I love evening gown and I even won Best in Evening Gown at International Ms. That said, I like the social value of swimwear/fitness wear. Although some would argue that it objectifies women, I think swimwear allows women to express their power over their own bodies. I can choose to wear a bikini or I can choose to wear leggings or anything in between. What one chooses to wear in the swimwear round is a reflection of her personality, culture, and religious beliefs. When I see another delegate wearing a sarong or a sundress I don’t immediately assume that she is self conscious or lacking self esteem and hiding her body. I see it as her choosing what is right for her. And if I’m wearing a one piece and someone else is wearing a bikini I don’t think I’m more “pure” or virtuous than her. I think that she saw (or designed) a bikini she absolutely loves and I hope she enjoys every second rocking that bikini on stage!

How do you deal with pageant nerves ?

I think that over a decade as a model and doing live theatre has desensitized me to stage fright. But a bigger thing is that I accept that who I am and all I can do is present the best version of me to the judges. If that’s not what they are looking for then I accept their decision. I think what’s more important than the stage part of the pageant or the interview is how I conduct myself with the other delegates. Whether it’s in-person conversations, on the phone, or in messages the way I treat them as fellow humans and as fellow women speaks volumes about me and says more about me as a person than any round of a pageant does.

Social Media Links

Instagram: @ms.janice_macgregor http://www.janicemacgregor.com https://www.imdb.me/janice-macgregor

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions it’s been lovely getting to know you and more about your platform and system. I wish you all the best at the final. Much Love, Charlotte, Ms Diamond South Yorkshire 2020.