Achieving the impossible!

Tracy Ann De Zilva became the first runner up at the Miss Intercontinental 2016: By Ruwini JAYAWAR

Tracy Ann 1st Runner up in 2016

Maureen Hingert 1st runner in 1955

Miss Intercontinental 2016 conceptualized by Cinnamon Hotels & Resorts

( Full Beauty Pageant )

Tracy Ann De Zilva First runner up at the Miss Intercontinental 2016 (Bill Forbes)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kRPYm270o2w

It always seems impossible until it is done. She has not only become a source of inspiration to many beautiful girls in the country but she has also made her mark in history as the first Sri Lankan beauty queen to be placed in the top three in an International Beauty Pageant since Maureen Hingert.

Tracy Ann De Zilva became the first runner up at the Miss Intercontinental 2016 beauty pageant which was held in Sri Lanka recently. She was the Continental Queen of Asia Pacific, second only to the Continental Queen of North America Heilymar Rosarion of Puerto Rico. More than 60 contestants took part in the event.

“I have got lots of offers to take part in projects. I am still in the process of deciding on what to take on. I am involved in lots of charity work. My dream is to build a school for children in the rural areas,” says the gorgeous pre school and sub primary teacher of The British School in Colombo.

Q: You have achieved a feat that only a few had managed to achieve. Your thoughts?

A: I feel really good and proud of myself. A lot of people have congratulated me and informed me that it is after so many years that a Sri Lankan contestant had made it to the top three in a globally renowned beauty pageant. I am glad that I am an inspiration to other Sri Lankan girls. This shows that nothing is impossible. You just need to have confidence in yourself.

Q: Apart from the finale, what was the most enjoyable moment of Miss Intercontinental 2016 for you?

A: Every part of this journey is memorable and dear to me – from meeting the other contestants to the tours and the assignments that we had to take on. I have developed lifelong friendships and bonds with them. I loved sharing my beautiful country and culture with them. The directors and pageant organizers looked after us well and showcased a beautiful pageant.

Q: What was the toughest moment in the pageant?

A: I took on each day as it came. The toughest part was probably planning for the pageant itself. My intention was to stand out from the crowd from the beginning. I took everything in a positive angle and had fun during the process too. (Smiles)

Q: Are you an outdoor person or an indoor person?

A: I am definitely an outdoor person. I love any form of adventure. I recently learnt to shoot a rifle. I go for anything crazy. (Laughs) I want to go sky diving and bungee jumping. I love living off the edge.

Q: Three things that you are most passionate about in life.

A: 1) My profession as a teacher

2) Food

3) Charity

Q: Who is your all time favourite Miss Sri Lanka?

A: Maureen Neliya Hingert. She is the first Sri Lankan to make it to the top three at a universally acclaimed beauty pageant. She was the runner up at Miss Universe 1955. She is an inspiration for many girls. She is someone whom we can look up to with pride.

Q: If you could be a man for a day what would you do?

A: On my god! (Starts laughing really hard) I will have to think about that… (Thinks for ages and starts giggling) I want to walk around topless! I would also grow my body hair.

As women we worry about threading and waxing but if I was a man I would want to be carefree about such matters. (More laughter)

Q: If you could eat only one food for the rest of your life, what would you choose?

A: Chinese.

That is my favourite type of cuisine. Yum! I love the variety they have to offer. I mainly go for their dishes because of the flavours.

Q: What irritates you?

A: Errr… Nothing really. Honestly I do not get fired up easily. I am open minded and free spirited so it is really difficult to provoke me. If someone screams at me for no reason then I guess I would be a bit annoyed but on the whole I am quite a cool person. (Smiles)

Q: If you got an opportunity to make a movie, what kind of movie would you like to make and who would star in it?

A: Oh wow! Could I think over this for a while? (Thinks hard) It would definitely be a Hollywood movie. I want it to be an action movie. Liam Neeson would star in it. He is an incredible actor. Scarlett Johansson will be the female lead.

Q: If you were given a chance to splurge on anything, what would you choose?

A: Oooh… I love designer handbags, shoes and clothes so definitely those.

Q: Some advice you would give to contestants hoping to take part in international beauty pageants.

A: Be positive and strong minded. Be determined to get to the top and work towards that. Be your own person.

Be unique.

This is also an opportunity to get to know all about yourself.

Q: What are the qualities you expect in your future partner.

A: He should have a sense of humour. He should be loyal and be someone whom I can rely on during good and bad times.

He should also have faith.

We need to have similar interests to make the relationship work.

Q: If you had not become a teacher, what would you have been?

A: I would have chosen to be a fashion designer because I have a passion for design.

I am really fashion conscious and I follow the latest trends.

Q: What is the question you get asked most frequently these days?

A: ‘How does it feel to be the first Sri Lankan beauty queen to be placed in the top three after so many years?’ (Laughs) I feel utterly blessed and honoured when I hear those words.

Q: Tell us a bit about your family.

A: My dad is a businessman. He is dealing with the medical industry.

He is someone whom I have looked up to ever since I was young. My mom is a homemaker. She has been my strength.

I have a younger sister who is currently studying in Australia. She is fantastic. She is my best friend.

My boyfriend and his family are also very much part of my family.

My boyfriend too is employed in business. He has been my pillar of strength. He is someone whom I can rely on to stand by me no matter what.