Valene comfortable with her size

“All they need to do is eat healthy, exercise and feel comfortable about themselves,” she added.

The petite Maharaj who stands at 5 feet 8 inches and weighs 105 pounds said that she is very comfortable with her size.

“I like my size but for the competition I am going to focus on toning up my legs when training starts tomorrow,” she said.

More than a year ago,Maharaj entered the Miss Trinidad and Tobago competition and ended up as runner-up to Keneisha Thom.

At first, she admitted, she was reluctant to try again. However, Thom proved to be an inspiration for her as she won the title and went on to represent TT in the Miss Universe Pageant on her second bid for a beauty title.

“I was inspired by Keniesha who re-entered the contest to pursue her dream and in the end she won and did well at the Miss Universe competition. I thought to myself I can do that too,” said the 21-year-old Claxton Bay beauty who will be representing this country at the Miss World Pageant later this year.

Maharaj who was crowned Miss TT following a competition at Club Zen last Sunday describes her life now as “crazy busy.” For the next five months she will be undergoing intense preparations for the Miss World competition in early October.

Maharaj said she is looking forward to the “phenomenal opportunity” to be an ambassador for the country.

“Representing my country in this capacity feels good. I know the hard work that I am going to put in is going to pay off in the end,” she said

Maharaj, grew up surrounded by family — three siblings, her parents and grand parents in St Margaret’s Village, Claxton Bay. Even then, she said, she loved to model. She got an opportunity to experience the world of high fashion and glamour at age 17 when she entered and won the Caribbean Model Search.

Maharaj recalled: “I got an opportunity to model in Jamaica.”

On her return to Trinidad Maharaj put modelling on hold and focused on her education.

After successfully completing her A-levels at Southern Community College she did an associates degree in Business Administration and was accepted to do a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in fashion and marketing from the American Intercontinental University in South Florida. However, the latter is now on hold as she is concentrating on representing TT to the best of her ability.

“After this experience I hope to continue my education so that I can have a business background in what I love to do,” she said.

Recalling the moment when she was. announced as winner Maharaj said her first response was: “Oh my God.”

“I was so excited, I had a big grin on my face and there are no words to describe how I felt at that very moment. I just remembered trying to remain calm, she said.

When asked if there was anyone she considered a role model, she said, “I can never choose one person because there are a lot of people locally and internationally that have done something that I can say I admire.”

Maharaj, who said her role models include her mother, Sumintra, former Miss Universe Wendy Fitzwilliam, former South African President Nelson Mandela and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, said she hopes her achievements in the beauty arena will encourage other young women to pursue their dreams.