Two North Vancouver women are hoping to represent Canada at the Miss Universe pageant later this year, but first they will have to impress the judges in Toronto.
Chela Long and Asal Ghoseh, both 26 years old, are among the 66 finalists from across the country, including 14 from B.C., who will compete to be the next Miss Universe Canada at the 63rd annual national pageant next week. The preliminary round is set for Thursday, May 22 with finals taking place on Saturday, May 24, at which point the reigning Miss Universe Canada, Riza Santos, will help crown her successor before a live audience. Contestants will be judged in the traditional categories - evening gown and swimwear - plus a live interview segment. The 66 finalists have also been tasked with raising money for non-profit organizations. The winner of the national title will go on to represent Canada at Miss Universe 2014 in the fall.
Chela Long
This marks Long's first foray into the pageant world. Before she applied, she admits her views of pageantry were skewed by movies and TV shows such as Miss Congeniality and Toddlers & Tiaras.
"When I entered, I thought the girls would be really standoffish, but the B.C. team is amazing. They're such wonderful women. We all train together, we all hang out together. It's not catty or competitive," she says. "It's really about being an intelligent, strong, beautiful woman."
Born in Toronto, Long has lived in North Vancouver since she was four years old. She has dabbled in modelling and acting and says she has always wanted to try competing in a pageant. This is the first year she has been able to enter Miss Universe Canada because she has been out of the country in previous years. An avid traveller, Long has visited 24 countries, lived in Switzerland, England and Australia, and volunteered teaching English to impoverished children in China.
She is also passionate about healthy living. A certified personal trainer, Long follows a vegan diet, works for a health and beauty company, is currently finishing up her yoga teacher training and is also studying natural nutrition.
She says she was inspired to get into health and fitness after encountering unhealthy body image ideals in the modelling industry.
"I want to show that you don't need to be skinny or be on unhealthy diets to be beautiful. You can eat as much as you want healthily and still be a beautiful role model," she says.
For the charity component of the pageant, Long has chosen to raise money for Operation Smile, which provides free surgeries to repair cleft lip, cleft palate and other facial deformities for children around the world. She says she was touched hearing stories of children who gained the ability to smile after surgery.
"I'm a very happy person and I live my life in a positive way," she says. "A smile changes someone's mood, someone's day."
Asal Ghoseh
Ghoseh immigrated to Canada from Iran with her family when she was 10 years old and has lived in North Vancouver ever since.
A graduate of Carson Graham secondary, this will be the first time Ghoseh has competed in a pageant. It's an experience she hopes will provide a platform for her voice to be heard by other people. Ghoseh is an advocate for gender equality and wants to encourage women to enter maledominated professions. "I do believe that if we want women's equality, we need to put ourselves out there," she says.
Ghoseh has dreamed of being a pilot since she was four years old and is now earning her pilot's licence through Pacific Flying Club. Her ultimate career goal, she says, it so become a commercial airline pilot.
"I would love to promote girls in aviation," she says.
In addition to her flight training, she is also earning her bachelor of general studies with a minor in business at the University of the Fraser Valley.
For the charity requirement of Miss Universe Canada, Ghoseh has chosen to raise money for SOS Children's Villages, which builds homes and villages for orphaned and abandoned children. The organization touched home for her, since Iran has experienced much conflict over the years and there are many children in need of help.
Miss Universe Canada delegates are chosen each year by competing in local and regional casting calls and pageants across the country.
