Samanta Servina to take part in Miss Intercontinental pageant |17 November 2017

Twenty-three-year-old Samanta Servina is Seychelles’ representative at this year’s Miss Intercontinental pageant to be held on December 21 in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

She will be leaving Seychelles on December 6.

Samanta lives at Anse Aux Pins and has two elder brothers. She also enjoys close relationships with other members of her family. She did part of her schooling in Seychelles and continued high school and A-levels in Manchester, United Kingdom. Samanta’s mum recently passed away, but she said she must be very proud of her now as her mum always encouraged her to take part in challenges like this.

“I always said no when she asked that of me. I am certain she would probably be jumping up and down right now with happiness regarding my decision to take part in such a pageant,” she says.

Seychelles NATION had a chat with both Samanta and her groomer Joelle Fabre, who owns Coral Models where Samanta was groomed and prepared for the pageant.

The Miss Intercontinental event has grown to become an ultimate show and icon of female beauty and success. Titleholders have gone on to high-profile careers in government, business, finance, film and fashion to become women of power and grace, commitment and intelligence, style and substance.

The internationally recognised Miss Intercontinental pageant is this year celebrating its 46th anniversary. It all started in 1971 as a promotional event for tourism in Oranjestad on the island of Aruba, as a Teen Pageant. It quickly became an annual event after it attracted strong television ratings. End of the 70s the pageant moved abroad to many other exotic places like Cartagena in Colombia; Berlin in Germany; Huangshan in China; Mahé in Seychelles; Minsk in Belarus and Nassau in the Bahamas. Miss Intercontinental has become a showcase for the world´s most poised, stunning women. During the two weeks leading up to the big competition, the ladies experienced the most wonderful beaches, the exquisite food and real jet set.

“The number of contestants who vie for the most expensive crown of all pageants every year has skyrocketed to over seventy and year after year, Miss Intercontinental continues to remind us of the glorious beauty of diversity,” says Joelle.

Samanta tells us why she is taking part in such an event.

“I chose to take part in the Miss Intercontinental pageant because it is an opportunity of a life time. It is an experience and an adventure. And having lived abroad for a while, I always speak highly of my beautiful little country to my friends. In a way by doing this pageant, I can put my words into action and show how truly proud I am to be a Seychellois,” says Samanta.

Once in Colombo, Samanta says she will interact with the other contestants from the other countries, attend several events together, do photo shoots, take part in interviews, do a series of mini challenges that will influence the results of the final pageant and also explore Sri Lanka to learn a bit about its culture.

“I encourage other local girls to take part in this competition. Why not? It is a once in a lifetime opportunity, you get to travel, eat awesome food, experience different cultures and network with people. There is a lot to learn from an experience such as this one and it is bound to be unforgettable, so definitely!” says an enthusiastic Samanta.

She says she has no doubt that by the end of the competition she would have more self confidence. But overall she looks at it as a challenge, not as an opportunity to win a prize but as an opportunity for self-growth.

“In other words, I will not be the same person I was after having taken part in such a competition. I am sure I will be a better me, hopefully,” she adds.

Samanta is a Zumba fanatic and her Zumba page on Facebook under 'Zumba with Samanta'.

Joelle Fabre of Coral Models Seychelles got the licence for Seychelles for several pageants, namely Miss Intercontinental, Top Model of the World , Miss University Africa and Miss Tourism.

“I was an international model for 25 years and was on catwalk for Dior, Gauthier, Jacques Fath, Courreges. I also travel a lot for shows, so I want to share my experience and show the world the beauty of the Seychellois women. One crown  a year not enough, so I decided to go for what I know the market wants, the kind of labels the photographers want to show in magazines. So I groom the girls to be ‘The Pearl’ of Seychelles and to let other people dream about the beauty of Seychelles through the beautiful photos of ‘the Miss’ I send to them,” says Joelle.

Last year Isabel Lavigne won Miss Hospitality in the Miss Intercontinental again in Colombo, Sri Lanka. Naomy King won Miss Photogenic in the Top Model of the World pageant in Egypt in June this year and was also ranked number 4.

“Never has Seychelles reached so far in an international beauty pageant … and I have not yet finished with them ,” concludes Joelle.

M. Julie