We'll Never Win Miss World
First published in the Wales on Sunday| Oct 31 2004 and written by Kate Jackson
Ex-Miss Wales Sophia Cahill reckons we'll never have another Miss World.
The stunning brunette has lashed out at organisers of the international event, claiming the winners are chosen for their publicity value and not for their looks.
And Sophia, who travelled to the Maldives for the contest in 2000, is so disillusioned with beauty contests she has vowed never to take part in another.
Sophia, from Pontypool, took the Miss Wales crown at the tender age of 17. Now, at just 21, she believes underhand tactics rule the beauty world.
"The new Miss Wales hasn't got a chance," said Sophia, who has a two-year-old son, Bailey. "The whole point of Miss World isn't for the girls - it's to make money.
"Now, they're changing the voting to phone votes and it's just to make more money.
"How on earth are we going to compete when we're such a small country?
"When I was in Miss World, Miss India won, but there were a lot prettier girls.
India's got a lot of money and would pay out for her to do a lot of things, but Wales isn't going to pay out for so many appearances.
"Every year, I tell my dad who's going to win, and every year I'm right. I said Ireland would win this year because Rosanna Davison's dad is Chris de Burgh. She was very beautiful, but she also has the bonus of having a famous father."
And the petite model reckons girls in Wales just aren't pretty enough for this year's contest in December in China.
She said: "The standard of girls who go into Miss Wales are not the standard of Miss World. Those girls are just stunningly gorgeous.
"I'm not being bitchy. I'd be the first to put my hand up and say I'm not the right person to win.
"But there's a big difference between girls here and girls from Venezuela or India or America."
Sophia is currently balancing being a mum with launching her own modelling and dance agency.
Although she is still in high demand herself, she has a few gripes about beauty contests: "I didn't have a clue about how to put my make-up on, how to walk, how to hold myself. If I entered Miss World now I might have a better chance, but I still wouldn't win it.
"There are a lot of girls who go in for every competition. I think it's nice to see new girls going for it, but you see some of them two or three years running.
"I'd say the first time they lose, then go in for a second time if they want to, but after that it's nice to give someone else a chance.
"I was really lucky to get it first time round. I had a fantastic time and I do wish this year's Miss Wales, Amy Guy, the best of luck."
Miss World answered Sophia's claims, saying: "All of the girls are treated equally."
And organisers of Miss Wales, Vibe PR, hit back, saying there was no reason why Wales could not reclaim the Miss World crown after Helen Morgan's win 30 years ago.
A spokeswoman for Vibe said: "We were absolutely delighted with the number and quality of entries. For 2005 and future years, we hope to organise regional rounds which will encourage more girls to enter as we have every intention of bringing the Miss World crown back to Wales.
"We've won the crown in the past and there is absolutely no reason why they can't win it a third time."
And Miss Wales judge Professor Harryono Judodihardjo, medical director of sponsor, the Cellite Clinic, added: "Amy Guy has intelligence, style and beauty and is an excellent ambassador for Wales. Having seen a number of the other entrants on the Miss World website I feel sure she will certainly hold her own at the Miss World event."
To return to the A Mother's Thoughts on Miss Wales article please visit this link|