A Canberra teenager is hoping to take the beauty world by storm in her first pageant.
Saima Premanand Maller, a 14-year-old year 10 student at Amaroo School, is a finalist in the teen section of the Australia Galaxy Pageants.
She will compete in the national finals in Sydney in May.
Saima said it felt surreal when she received the call late last year that she’d made it to the finals.
“I really didn’t think that it was going to happen, but it did,” she told CD.
Saima is in preparation mode for the big day, meeting with a pageant coach once a month to guide her through the competition elements.
“Right now, I’m mainly focusing on all the media and community experiences,” Saima said.
During the finals, which run across several days, the entrants will compete in fashionwear and evening gown, interview and photogenic categories.
There are additional categories participants can take part in to score bonus points: charity, eco fashion and appearances.
Saima’s community work includes helping at the Umbagong District parkrun in Latham.
She had also planned to spend a month in India during the school holidays, where she would make appearances and undertake charity work. However, the trip was delayed due to her father recently suffering, and now recovering, from a heart attack. Saima will undertake appearances in Australia.
She is also advocating for mental health, equal rights, and empowering young women to embrace their uniqueness and feel confident in who they are.
While this is her first pageant, Saima said she has been a model and actress since she was eight.
“I joined because there has been a time in my life where I didn’t think I would be able to do something like this,” she said.
“I want to make sure other girls in my position (know that) as long as you have a good heart – and a good support network – and hold on, you can do what you want.”
Saima said putting the pieces for the pageant together was one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.
She said she was driven by her love of the Canberra community and passion for creating positive change.
Saima hopes to pursue a career in the entertainment industry, as a model or actor.
“I just love making people laugh, I love talking to people, I have been making home videos since I was about four or five and done media at school for the past three years,” she said.
“(I also did) work experience at the Academy of Interactive Entertainment – I did a full weeks’ course there and made movies, it was amazing.”
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