Interview with Miss South Staffordshire International – Caitlin Samuel-Camps

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

Can you introduce yourself ?

Miss South Staffordshire International Caitlin Samuel-Camps Age 19

What made you enter pageants ?

I decided to become involved in pageantry after seeing how my friends had thoroughly enjoyed their experience of competing – from making lifelong friendships to developing new skills, especially within their interview rounds such as communication and building on their confidence. Alongside competing in Miss International UK, I work as a freelance model and I decided to explore pageants as I love all things fashion and beauty. Additionally, I love how pageants raise awareness of important causes.

What made you decide to compete in the Miss International U.K. system ?

I decided to compete in Miss International UK as I had read about how previous finalists had thoroughly enjoyed their experience – from photos and videos and how they had made amazing memories. I was also inspired by the incredible journeys that previous Miss International UK winners had been on – such as Harriotte Lane and Sharon Gaffka

What’s your pageant platform and why ?

My pageant platform is mental health because within the UK, 1 in 4 people will suffer with a mental health problem in the next year, meaning that many of our family members, friends and colleagues will be suffering with a mental health problem that we are unaware of. Growing up, I dealt with a large amount of bullying through social media and within school, due to suffering with a rare condition called Pain Amplification Syndrome. Pain Amplification Syndrome is a condition that affects my nervous system and means that my brain processes normal movements as pain signals.

This limited my ability to get involved in everyday activities and sports and many people didn’t understand why, which led to bullying. This led to the deterioration of my mental health and I suffered with severe anxiety and depression. Knowing the impact of mental health first hand, I believe it is incredibly important to raise awareness and to fundraise for mental health charities that aim to ensure no one has to face mental health alone and to improve the mental health services provided in the UK, so that more people can have access to support and advice. This is why I have also decided to become a campaigner for MIND UK and a champion for Time To Change, working in my local community to break down the stigma surrounding mental health.

What’s your dream title ?

My dream title would be Miss International UK as I would be able to represent the United Kingdom at an international level at Miss International. It would be incredible to also win Miss International.

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

Winning Miss International UK would mean the world to me, especially with the large amount of hard work and determination I have put in with the lead up to the competition, as I would be able to raise awareness of my platform – mental health and also represent my country at an international level.

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

The best advice I would give to fellow pageant queens is to be confident and be yourself! Being yourself shows your personality and how you are unique in your own way!

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

In the run up to the pageant final, I have been raising awareness of mental health on social media through fundraising and posting ways in which you can support those suffering with a mental health problem during the current pandemic. Additionally, I have been involved with various podcasts and Instagram Lives, promoting pageantry and the ways in which I have been involved with my local community. I have also been working hard as a campaigner for MIND UK and Time To Change Champion, creating a petition to encourage employers to raise awareness of mental health resources available to employees – such as websites and charities.

I have also been practicing my pageant walk,preparing my outfits and working out at home!

How has the lockdown due to Covid19 affected your pageant journey ?

The finals of Miss International UK 2020 were supposed to be taking place on June 21st 2020, although due to COVID 19, it has been postponed till August 9th. The Miss International pageant has also been postponed till 2021. However, this is for the safety of all contestants, judges and guests and means there is more time to prepare for the finals.

What makes a good pageant role model ?

A good pageant role model is someone who is confident and uses their platform to speak about issues and causes that they are passionate about. Also, a good pageant role model is someone who is friendly, approachable and willing to help others.

Social Media

Instagram: @misscaitlinmai

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