Shannon McLean Miss Cayman Islands 2001-2002
Shannon McLean
An interview excerpted from the Miss Universe web site
GLOBAL BEAUTIES interviewed one of the earlyfavorites for the Miss Universe 2002 title. Meet Shannon McLeanfrom the Cayman Islands! This 23-year old, 5'10" delegateis very outspoken, determined and has achieved several goals throughouther life.
Tell us something that not that many peopleknow about the Cayman Islands?
An interesting fact about the Cayman Islands is that they wereonce named Las Tortugas, which is Spanish for The Turtles. Thiswas in reference to the abundance of turtles that inhabited theislands when Christopher Columbus arrived in 1503. Another thingpeople may not know is that we are the 5th largest financial sectorin the world as well as being a tax-free jurisdiction.
What made you decide to enter a beauty pageant?
I have been interested in pageants as faras I can remember. I entered my first pageant in 1987 at the ageof nine. Although I didn't place in the competition, it helpedme improve my self-confidence and overcome stage fright. Sevenyears later, I entered Miss Teen Cayman Islands and placed secondrunner-up along with receiving the Best Smile award. Then in 1995I won The Miss Cinderella Teen Title and after which I was givena college scholarship. I was extremely onored because it affordedme the opportunity to represent my country in the InternationalCinderella Pageant in the United States. At that contest I wonthe award for most poised on stage in the Teen category.
I also have a personal interest in the MissCayman Islands pageant because as a young girl I saw my aunt andtwo cousins win the title. When I was crowned I felt great toknow that I was the fourth person in my family to have won thetitle of Miss Cayman Islands and that I could continue the tradition.I also felt that this was the right time for me to enter becauseit was a great opportunity to gain some international exposureas well as a chance to become an ambassador for my country.
Tell us about your national pageant? (tips:how many girls competed, by casting or states / provinces / howmany weeks of preparations/ what were the prizes / any anecdotes)
My pageant was held on September 8th, 2001. A total of 5 youngladies competed and we began preparing two months earlier. Theprizes included a Cayman Islands Government scholarship, a car,a computer, a cell phone, a 1-year wardrobe, a 1- year gym membership,as well as many other gift certificates from various establishmentsthroughout the islands. A very interesting story about my pageantis that I made history on the night I was crowned because I wasthe first ever Miss Cayman Islands to win four out of the fiveawards as well as the overall title. The four awards were, MissPhotogenic, Miss Best Smile, Miss Best-in-Gown, and Miss Personality.
How was your experience during South Africacompeting in Miss World 2001?
I had an absolutely wonderful experience in South Africa. I hadalways wanted to visit, so it was a dream come true. The peoplewere extremely friendly and they had a lot to share with all thecontestants. The rich culture was what I found to be the mostfascinating part of my trip. The entertainment provided by someof the natives was amazing, ranging from dance performances tocontemporary musicals. Furthermore as we toured the country, Irealized to truly appreciate what I have and not take it for granted.Although I was there a whole month, it seemed like a week becauseI was always learning something new. Another memorable part ofmy experience was actually meeting all 93 ladies that competed.Each night I had dinner with different contestants, which wasa great way to learn about their country and culture.
Who were your friends during the pageant?Are you in touch with any of them?
I became friends with a number of the contestants both in andout of my group. Miss Antigua, Janelle Williams, was my roommateand we hit it off right from the beginning. We were basicallyinseparable. I also became good friends with Miss Wales who wasincredibly funny. I've been able to keep in contact with MissChina Bing Li, Miss British Virgin Islands Melinda McGlore, MissEcuador Carla Revelo and Miss Jamaica, Regina Beavers. Followingthe Miss World Pageant, Miss Jamaica and I actually participatedin two fashion shows together, one in the Bahamas and the otherin my country. We plan to keep in contact, especially since weare only a forty-five minute flight away from each other.
What do you think you have gained by competingin Miss World?
The Miss World experience has helped me learn about the differentpeoples of the world. This is particularly important in the 21stcentury since modalities like the Internet and international travelhave really globally connected the world.
Some people say that the "Scoreboard"was too insensitive for the contestants that did not make it andhad to hear it live. Others thought it was a very entertainingidea. What is your stance?
I didn't feel that the leader board was too insensitive for thecontestants, but it may have added to the anxiety a little sooner.Also the Internet voting was kind of unfair to those countrieswhose access to the Internet is limited and those with a smallerpopulation. Thus I felt that a smaller percentage of points andnot 50% should have been contributed from the Internet.
What advice would you give to a contestantthat will be competing in Miss World 2002, that you wish theyhad told you before going to South Africa?
I would advise any contestant in Miss World 2002 to learn somein-room exercises, because we did not have access to the gym dueto security concerns.
What is your opinion of the winner of MissWorld 2001, Agbani Darego?
Agbani is wonderful. She is so humble and friendly, and she wasnever arrogant or extravagant. Everything was done very simplyand with her sweet personality. She was the perfect choice.
In addition to Miss Nigeria, who else doyou think could have been a perfect Miss World and why? (couldbe more than one)
Miss Nicaragua would have been a great Miss World because sheis not only naturally beautiful but also quite courageous in thatshe elected to communicate in English despite Spanish being hernative language. I think she was shocked to have made it to thetop ten but it was well deserved.
Which girls, besides yourself, you feel that could have been inthe top ten of Miss World 2001?
Honestly, all of the contestants were great. However, I thoughtMiss Costa Rica could have made the top ten because she was sograceful, intelligent, sincere and always had a pleasant personality.If there were an award for Miss Congeniality she would have beenmy choice.
Any funny anecdotes while you were in SouthAfrica?
One funny memory is when we were able to watch ourselves in thepreliminaries, which was aired on television prior to the pageant.It was as if we were having an all-girls slumber party becauseeveryone gathered together and was very eager to see how theylooked. We all laughed as we anxiously waited for our groups toappear. Then out of nowhere we appeared. It was one of the funniestmoments throughout the whole pageant.
What is the most important thing(s) youlearnt from competing in Miss World that you will take with youto Miss Universe?
The Miss World experience was a lesson within itself because Igained immeasurable exposure and experience in professionalismand pageantry that will aid me not only in Miss Universe but alsoin my future endeavors.
What is your opinion about beauty contestand plastic surgery? Have you done any yourself? [if the questionis yes, which part(s)?
I would never consider plastic surgery to enhance my featuresin order to compete in a pageant. To me, plastic surgery shouldbe mainly reserved for trauma or burn victims and not just foraesthetic improvements. However, I can see how plastic surgerycould help people perform better and increase their self-esteem.
What are you doing now to prepare yourselffor Miss Universe?
Presently, I am working out with a personal fitness trainer anddoing some pageant training as well.
If you were in the final five in Miss Universe,which question would you like the judges to ask you and give usyour answer.
What is the essence of being a woman? Would be the question thatI would like the judges to ask me. I would answer, " Theessence of being a woman lies in her ability to capitalize onher inherent position of being the nurturer of a new generationand instilling in them the qualities of being an asset to society.In addition, I consider a woman's essence to be comprised of courage,to be self-sufficient, perseverance to overcome society's obstaclesand love for Mother Nature and for her fellow human beings."