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Nova Stevens opens up about tough journey towards the Miss Universe stage
As Miss Universe Canada 2020 Nova Stevens prepares to compete on the world stage, she looks back on the tough journey she's had getting to this point.
On Instagram, the beauty queen shared a video of herself dancing merrily to the song "Finally" by Cece Peniston while wearing her crown and sash, saying that the song "couldn't be more perfect."
In her lengthy caption, she said she's been trying to make it in the modelling industry for years, with "very little success."
"I would hear things like you’re too tall, too high fashion, too commercial, too much booty, too this, too that; and my favourite 'our black girl roster is full," she wrote.
She shared that in 2017, she attempted to move to Paris hoping for success, but had "no luck." Then she flew to Milan hoping to be cast for shows.
It was there that she finally got a break.
"The very first designer to ever say ‘yes’ to me was [Bartolotta & Martorana]. They gave me a chance and allowed me to walk there shows for 3 consecutive seasons," she said.
And now she's set to compete in the Miss Universe 2020 pageant backed by the same people who first gave her a chance!
"My journey has not been walked alone; I have been blessed to have amazing supportive people in my life. My life has been a testament to the African proverb of 'If you want to go fast go alone, if you want to go far go together”'," she said.
"I didn’t get there when I wanted too but I am further than I expected because of my team. Thank you so much to all of my friends, family, old and new fans. I wouldn’t be here without you. It really does take a village and I really love and appreciate my tribe," she added.
Nova recently trended after she posted a photo of herself showing some netizens' racist remarks to her which were in Tagalog.
The Philippine bet for Miss Universe 2020, Rabiya Mateo, personally apologized to Nova and Miss Universe Thailand Amanda Obdam for the negative and racist comments of some Filipino fans.
Nova will be representing Canada at the Miss Universe pageant which will be held at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, on May 16 (May 17 in Philippine time). —JCB, GMA News
