BASIL SYLVESTER PINTO
Winsome charm, inner beauty, articulation, being presentable and intellect are attributes which separates the grain from the chaff in the world of glamour.
Nineteen-year-old Nakita Tania Fernandes from Saligao has all that and more qualities to come to better herself as she strives towards the higher echelons while staying level-headed amidst the world of pageantry and modeling.
Recently placed second at the Rubaru Miss India Elite 2019 in New Delhi apart from winning the Miss Charming sub-title, the svelte 5 ft 5’ beauty, is now preparing herself to represent India for her maiden pageant overseas at the Miss World Beauty Queen International to be held in South Korea in June.
In an exclusive with TG Life, she spoke on her penchant for the glamour world and what the future beckons.
Excerpts:
TG: How did pageantry happen?
I was about four then, and whenever I used to go to the restaurant with my parents, I used to tell them to please put me on the table as I wanted to walk. It may have been sometimes embarrassing. And they used to say, “And the winner is Nakita Tania Fernandes” and I used to blow out kisses (gesticulating). So I always grew up with the zeal of hearing it someday (on ramp) and that got me motivated. I thought it was always very easy but when I participated in my first pageant auditions at Femina Miss India last March it did not work. Because of my height I got rejected. So I said okay, that was another one factor. Then I participated in The Neutral View Miss Goa pageant. I said to myself I do not know what will happen with the Q&A round. But I do not know how but it worked very well for me. I was very confident with my Q&A, and I had also improved my walk. I then kinda liked it and felt it would give a good platform to voice out what I want to say and what I am good at and people would recognize me. I was more likely to get into pageantry than do proper ramp modelling.
TG: How would you look back at your recent experience at the Rubaru Miss India Elite 2019 pageant?
It was beautiful. I got to see participants come from different States and it was very nice. They all came with their different talents. We got to learn so much about them on how their situation was in their respective States. There was especially, a contestant from Jammu and she told us about their condition, how they live there. The environment was very positive with everyone mixing about with one another. There were no differences.
TG: You came second at the national pageant winning the title Miss World Beauty Queen India 2019. How did you react?
I was drinking water backstage and I did not know they would take my name (giggling). I was very confident I would get a place as I knew how hard had I worked for it. They announced my name with my contestant no. 11. I was choking when I went on stage, there was water on my face and I was wiping it off. I was very happy with the title. Because it is something I felt I deserved and matching to my personality which was good. And when I heard I was to go South Korea and represent India, I was very happy.
TG: Take us through the in-house preparations to the grand finale of the pageant?
We were called three days in advance. When we went on the first day, it was only photo shoots done. They saw how contestants were in front of camera, checked our physique and if fit enough for the outfits. First day was only photoshoots at least until 10 or 11 at night.
Second day, was grooming. How we walk, the position, how we stand with the mike, if we fumble how to handle ourselves on stage, build on our introductions, and our answers and at 10 at night, we had a surprise interview one-on-one, we were told to go, get dressed and do our own make-up and come. 90 per cent of our results were decided by the second night. What was left was our walk with the outfits at the finale.
TG: What constituted the finale?
We had our ramp walk, introduction and Q&A round. There were three rounds on the ramp in ethnic wear, swimwear and evening gown.
TG: What were the factors that helped you to win the title?
I believe God is the major blessing that helped me. I was also very calm and had my peace of mind. I was very confident that whatever will happen will for my good. Secondly, my parents had told me how to behave over there and help the other contestants even though they were competing with you. We never looked at each other as competition. We all knew we would take back something. My mentors also trained me well with the Q&A which was one tough round for everybody but I was very happy the way I answered mine.
TG: You will now represent your State and country in your first international pageant in South Korea in June. How will you prepare for the sterner test yet?
First, I have to be very connected with the current affairs of my country. Secondly, fitness is a very important factor in the overall judgement which is not much important in Goa. While height is not in my hands, I hope to grow a little taller. Then there are the communication skills. So I will prepare myself on all these things.
TG: Apart from modelling, what else do you like to do?
I sing and act as well. I’ve acted in tiatrs while in school. I was going to do a movie (Pai) with Kevin D’Mello which did not happen owing to time. A Marathi film featuring eight female actors which features me among them is slated for release at IFFI this year.
