Interview with Young European International Teen Essex – Amber Hood

Firstly thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions about your pageant journey for my lockdown project. It’s lovely getting to know fellow pageant queens and there pageant platforms.

So what made you enter pageants?

I entered pageants as it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and my dance teacher recommended the Galaxy U.K. System.

So can you tell us more about your previous titles and pageants ?

👸🏻 Junior Miss Romford Galaxy 17/18

👸🏻 Junior Miss Essex Galaxy 18/19- I placed 4th runner up with the publicity award

👸🏻 Junior Miss Essex Galaxy 19/20- I placed 1st runner up with the publicity and charity award

👸🏻 I’ve also competed before in Lakeside charity pageants in 2017.

So what made you decide to enter the YEMI System after competing in the Galaxy System for the last three years ?

I grew out of the Junior Section at Galaxy U.K. and didn’t want to do Teen, because of the swimwear round. So initially I was going to have a break from pageants but I saw what the YEMI Queens were doing with their titles and how much fun they was having so I entered.

What have pageants taught you ?

Pageants have taught me it doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from or how old you are, you can help the community and other people out.

What’s your pageant platform?

My platform is leukaemia and raising awareness of the DKMS charity as I lost two friends to blood cancer from having a weak match so I want to get people to sign up to see if their stem cells match someone else’s.

What’s your dream title ?

My dream title is Young European International Teen and to then compete for Young International Teen.

What would it mean to you to win ?

It would mean the world to me as I’ve been competing for 3 almost 4 years in pageants and never had the chance to win a title and I know that if I’m doing amazing things as a regional title holder and I can do even better things with a National or International title and also raise awareness about DKMS.

What’s the best advice you can give to other pageant queens ?

My best advice to be yourself and never do something as it’s a “typical pageant thing” as no one wins from fitting into a stereotype but because they were themself , I also say not to focus on winning as you miss out on better opportunities like making friends and memories.

What have you been doing since becoming a YEMI finalist?

I only got my sash when lockdown was announced so I’ve been trying my best to still do appearances like the online ones as well as starting my campaign to raise awareness for DKMS and I also have been raising money for the NHS to buy them sweets and some money went to the DKMS where I raised over £500 overall.

What’s your idea of a good pageant role model ?

Someone who is approachable and friendly as well as aspires to inspires others as a whole point of a role model is for people to look up to them.

What’s your favourite pageant round?

My favourite pageant round is fashion because it’s more upbeat but I prefer the evening dress.

How do you deal with pageant nerves ?

I deal with pageant nerves by reminding myself at the end of the day if I don’t win no matter how heart broken I would be it’s fine as it’s not the end of the world and I can always go again the next year.

What’s your main pageant accomplishments so far ?

Raising over £4000 for the Christie Charity in 12 months as a Galaxy U.K. finalist and also making 88 appearances for Galaxy U.K. last year.

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