Mariana Valente
Miss Universe Canada 2009
Why did you decide to compete in the Miss Universe Canada pageant?
I decided to compete because I see it as a great opportunity to show how beauty can be translated into social work. Once you have a title you have a voice, and that was my purpose going into this competition, to use my voice to bring awareness to different aspects of our world.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss Universe Canada?
I was confused, scared, excited, and honored at the same time. You are so overwhelmed with emotions that it is hard to pick one. I was nervous and scared because now I was representing my country, I was excited because this title would give me a voice, and I was honored because I was picked out of so many wonderful contestants to represent my country.
How did you pick your evening gown for Miss Universe Canada?
CM Couture made my evening gown; they were my main sponsors for the competition. We chose together an evening gown that was perfect for me. It was elegant, young, and simple. The gown showed off my best assets and I felt amazing wearing it .
If you met somebody who has never been to Canada, how would you persuade them to visit Canada as Miss Universe Canada?
I would tell them how Canada’s is the most multicultural country in world where you feel like you visited the whole world just by coming here. How in Canada there is over 100 languages being spoken, and this diversity is what makes our country so beautiful.
What are you most looking forward to at the upcoming Miss Universe pageant?
I’m looking forward to meeting all of the delegates from all over the world, and learn a bit from everyone’s culture. As well as really enjoying this once in a lifetime experience, I want to enjoy every minute of it.
Lastly, what would be your most memorable moment so far as Miss Universe Canada?
My most memorable moments so far were traveling to Colombia and Venezuela. In these countries I had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people that were really welcoming and had this amazing energy. Another moment was doing school visits here in Canada, and speaking with children about my experience, and what got me to where I am. To see the impact that one person can have in the lives of children was truly amazing.
I decided to compete because I see it as a great opportunity to show how beauty can be translated into social work. Once you have a title you have a voice, and that was my purpose going into this competition, to use my voice to bring awareness to different aspects of our world.
What was going through your head when you were announced as the new Miss Universe Canada?
I was confused, scared, excited, and honored at the same time. You are so overwhelmed with emotions that it is hard to pick one. I was nervous and scared because now I was representing my country, I was excited because this title would give me a voice, and I was honored because I was picked out of so many wonderful contestants to represent my country.
How did you pick your evening gown for Miss Universe Canada?
CM Couture made my evening gown; they were my main sponsors for the competition. We chose together an evening gown that was perfect for me. It was elegant, young, and simple. The gown showed off my best assets and I felt amazing wearing it .
If you met somebody who has never been to Canada, how would you persuade them to visit Canada as Miss Universe Canada?
I would tell them how Canada’s is the most multicultural country in world where you feel like you visited the whole world just by coming here. How in Canada there is over 100 languages being spoken, and this diversity is what makes our country so beautiful.
What are you most looking forward to at the upcoming Miss Universe pageant?
I’m looking forward to meeting all of the delegates from all over the world, and learn a bit from everyone’s culture. As well as really enjoying this once in a lifetime experience, I want to enjoy every minute of it.
Lastly, what would be your most memorable moment so far as Miss Universe Canada?
My most memorable moments so far were traveling to Colombia and Venezuela. In these countries I had the opportunity to meet so many wonderful people that were really welcoming and had this amazing energy. Another moment was doing school visits here in Canada, and speaking with children about my experience, and what got me to where I am. To see the impact that one person can have in the lives of children was truly amazing.