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Interviewing MISS UNIVERSE 2017 – Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters

Interviewing Demi-Leigh over the Telephone in New York City

Demi-Leigh just moved into her apartment in NYC close to Centre Park. Being a nature girl at heart, it was perfect for her to enjoy her down-time and favourite pass-time jogging or taking a casual stroll in the park.

She is a true Cape Townian at heart and is as chilled as coastal people are and as humble as they come! We chatted for about a half hour and it was like catching up with an old friend. She didn’t just answer my questions but was friendly enough to go into detail on each question and share little bits about her personal life as well.

She lived a typical student life before the Miss South Africa pageant came to light and she talked a little bit about how, with the typical student life, she saved money to afford makeup and all the things she wanted in life. For her to be in the career path that she is, is not only incredible, but also extremely inspiring to so many girls and woman dreaming about becoming the powerful woman they ought to be. Demi-Leigh is just a normal girl, taking in the world, one day at a time.

Many people see pageants as these superficial beauty parades and the woman are so pressured to strive for perfection, but with Demi, it is as though there is no pressure at all. She believes in herself and being completely true to herself, no matter what.

Competitions are stressful in itself, but with Demi, she knows that there is nobody better at being DEMI-LEIGH than she is. I don’t know about you, but how does one compete with that level of confidence?! It has always been a huge dream of hers to become an Influential person, not for any other reason, but to help other woman realise their power and to make a difference in the lives of so many people all around the world. She says “It’s not always about wearing a sash and a tiara, but becoming a Miss Universe type of Woman; to be the best Demi I can be” With this incredibly huge platform, the sky is the limit! I just wish I could be right there with her, spreading love to the people of the world, because we all know, it’s needed.

There has been an outpour of love and appreciation for “our” South African beauty and she is filled with gratitude and appreciation for all that she has been blessed with, especially this year. Only 22years old and she has accomplished so much.

She met one of her biggest role models, Thuli Madonsela, sometime this year and Demi is inspired by Thuli’s ability to inspire other woman to believe in themselves and to fight for what they believe in.

Being from the coast Demi also enjoys being casual, in jeans and a tee and also went through those phases in high-school when you don’t feel good enough, pretty enough, or just enough… but learning to deal with her own insecurities has inspired her to help others realise their own worth.

We also played a little Quick Quiz:

Favourite Colour? Rose gold

Favourite Animal? Her 2 Yorkshire terriers

Favourite Food? Braai

Tea or coffee? Both, coffee in the morning and tea at noon

Favourite Place in the world? Cape Town. Also Greece, as it was a little like CT and the people were incredibly warm and a very small part of my own heritage is Grecian, it was really cool meeting the people of Greece and in some way my ancestors

Favourite Pass-time/ Hobby? Enjoy gymming, a good jog, Central Park is so close to where I am, I enjoy going there as often as I can

Favourite Movie? The intern, and I’m a huge fan of science fiction movies, like Avatar.

Favourite song? Beyonce – I was here. I listen to this song when I’m down, when I’m happy, also the song I listened to right before going on stage before the crowning

Favourite Book? The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho