Beauty Queened

Just as I predicted, Konnie and I dissolved into a ball of tears just as they crowned Jennifer, Nichole and Roxanne. And then Konnie and I went home to my humble flat, packed, and were immediately whisked off to San Francisco to do it all over again.

I am just now sorta recovering.

For those who were not privy, as a final twist to the competition, the East Coast girls were required to submit one question each for the Q&A segment, and draw from the pool of questions by their pageant mates.

After a month of intense training with my East Coast ladies, it occurred to me that, while I had the opportunity to learn daily about them, they really never got to know me at all. So, after all that I put my girls through, it is only fair that as a closing letter, I should answer all their questions.

Dear Ladies,

Thank you for your questions:

Contestant 1 Angel Pai:

If you could describe yourself as an article of clothing, what would you be and why?

Angel, I would be something leather and studded. Because I am not only a lady, I am also a rock star.

Contestant 2 Becky Liu:

Who is your greatest inspiration and why?

Becky, this question is too hard. I look around every day and it amazes me how despite hardship, despite injustice, and despite inequality, the world still goes round. And it continues because people just drive it. Next.

Contestant 3 Anni Liang:

If you placed 1st princess in this pageant, who do you think will be crowned queen and why?

Anni, Konnie would have to be Queen, for obvious reasons.

Contestant 4 Jia Yan:

What do you see as the difference between confidence and conceit?

Jia, a confident person places themselves on the same plane as others and accepts and engages others as equal, a conceited person places themselves above others and interacts with others as if they are beneath them.

Contestant 5 Joanna Fu:

What is one physical feature you would change about yourself and why?

Joanna, I can’t lie; I have always wanted to be taller. Thank you universe for providing me with 4 inch heels.

Contestant 6 Julia Sun:

What is your proudest accomplishment and why?

Juila, I did make it through both Miss Asia pageants.

Contestant 7 Katie Guo:

What is one quality about yourself you would like to improve and why?

Katie, sometimes I ruminate over things and it stops me from moving forward. I’d like to be more efficient in certain situations.

Contestant 8 Yaris Ng:

What person in your life has had the greatest influence on your personal growth and how?

Yaris, I am blessed with many amazing people in my life, but I will have to pick my younger sister. She is the key enabler in my life and it’s safe to say I would not be where I am, doing what I do, or be who I am with out her.

Contestant 9 Jennifer Lee:

What makes you happy?

Jennifer, I’m pretty simple. A sunny day on the beach, dandelions, a job well done, karaoke, good people, ice cream floats…pick one.

Contestant 10 Roxanne Cheung:

What do you think defines a true Asian American?

Roxanne, at this point in history: some one who embraces their Asian American-ness and understands that they have an opportunity to take part in the story of creation of what it can mean to be Asian American.

Contestant 11 Nichole Tong:

What is your definition of beauty?

Nichole, beauty is a force touches all that come in contact with it, whether it be simple appreciation on a superficial level or something that resonates on a much deeper level.

Contestant 12 Carmen Hui:

What is the most important quality you look for in a mate and why?

Carmen, I am a horrible person to ask about mates. One day, you will be my age and if you are anything like me, you will understand.

Contestant 13 Judy Yu:

What quality do you have over the other girls that will help you win this contest?

Judy, I think that being a pageant director gives me the ultimate advantage.

Contestant 14 Victoria Xian:

What is the distance between what you want in life and what you have?

Victoria, Zero. I’ve learned that to want is to suffer and what you believe want is not necessarily what will make you happy. It’s not worth suffering to find out. I think I've said this before.

Contestant 15 Tina Wu:

If you were Miss Asia and were to teach a class, what would you teach?

Tina, Charm, of course. Big toothy smile

XOXO, Alice