5 Important Lessons On Beauty and Purpose from Andrea Rubio Everyone Can Learn
Miss International 2023 Andrea Rubio was in Manila recently and she shared her thoughts on the changing standards of beauty in the pageant scene
We have been told so many times that beauty is skin deep. And in an industry like beauty pageants, it’s refreshing to know that beauty standards have evolved and for Miss International 2023 Andrea Rubio, it goes beyond the face people see.
Andrea was recently in the Philippines to grace the 60th anniversary of Binibining Pilipinas and select the next representatives of the pageant. She got to meet the press and answered questions about her stay in the Philippines and what it takes to be a titleholder these days.
Here are some lessons Andrea shared not only for aspiring queens but also for everyone out there.
1. It’s not the outside but the inside that matters
Countries like the Philippines and Venezuela where Andrea is from love beauty pageants. The content creator and model said she was considered the “anti-thesis” of a Venezuelan beauty queen.
” I would say that stereotypes were never part of my standard of beauty,” she shared. “I would [definitely] be someone different that won the Miss Venezuela title. People were surprised when I won it because they expected Miss Venezuela to be much taller and have longer legs.”
“It’s about your personality. It’s about your intelligence. I think beauty pageants are changing a lot and we have to change how we see it.”
2. Knowing your purpose to help people
Andrea emphasized the importance of purpose. And this is what she focused on on her project back in Venezuela called I Dream I Can.
Explaining its goal, Andrea said: ” I’ve been working a lot on trying to teach other girls and seniors skills about social communication, self-esteem, and how to deal with the project of their lives.”
Initially unsure of what she wanted to do, Andrea said she was grateful to the Miss Venezuela organization for helping her.
” Giving the girls and the kids that opportunity to think how can I do my dreams come true, it’s a really powerful project. So that’s what I’m doing also in my master classes in Venezuela, in Colombia, and also in the US. [I’m] trying to put like a path so they can achieve their dreams.”
3. Being different is okay and there are opportunities out there
Comparison will always happen and sometimes being different can help you out there just like Andrea when asked what made her different from the other candidates and queens.
“We are different human beings. We have different experiences, different families, different cultures. And that’s the most beautiful thing about it,” Andrea said.
Citing an example of a previous candidate from Mexico who went on to become mayor despite not winning the title, Andrea shared it’s more than just about the crown.
” Although some girls don’t win the crown, they have these other huge opportunities. So, it’s really beautiful to see the careers of people [thrive].”
4. The importance of authenticity
The more you are raw, the more you are real. Andrea pointed out that beauty queens are often seen as perfect beings but they are not.
“We’re human. We all make mistakes,” Andrea said. “I still have a lot to learn. And when you put that mask out, they connect more to you.”
5. Learn to shrug off the negativity around you
As a beauty queen, there will be criticism and the first people to defend is the family. Andrea chuckled recalling the first time she got criticism when she won Miss Venezuela and her mom saw the comments.
“I was like, okay, family, stop. We’re going to have a conversation right now,” she remembered. “There are so many comments, so many people saying whatever they want and really no respect at all.”
Since then, her family has learned to ignore the nasty comments. “They are so much better than what it was at the beginning because they are learning. They are also learning from this experience just like me. They’re my family. They want the best for me too. So they get worried sometimes. They understand that this is part of the profession.”
It’s all about being you!
Although Miss International 2023 Andrea Rubio shared these from her point as a beauty queen, it applies to all including parents and kids. Parents should remind their children that beauty differs for many. Although one may not have the height, other physical assets may stand out. But most important is their heart – how they carry themselves to people.
For kids out there, it’s normal to go through the comparison stage. But in a time where inclusivity has been put out there, it’s important to practice what you preach. More than what’s outside, it your heart and purpose that matters because it will always be you guide in anything you do.
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