Katerina Villegas earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies in 3 years to pursue her career as a full time recording artist and performer. She is also the owner of her very own record label called, Beauty Queen Records, through which her music is being released. "The record label name came from the pageant girl background, and represents who I am as both a beauty queen, and recording artist." she explained
Her platform is The Let it Be Foundation, a nonprofit that provides support and services to families with children diagnosed with cancer or other life-threatening illnesses
You will compete at the 2017 Miss World America pageant. How will you prepare for the contest?
I am preparing for the contest by adding a few more workouts to my daily routine. As a performer, I’m constantly staying fit and active through dance rehearsals and singing while doing cardio in order to gain endurance for my performances. Preparing for Miss World America means adding a lot more weight to my routines, and spending a lot more time answering potential on-stage questions during recording studio downtime. Plenty of “multi-tasking,” is ultimately how I am preparing.
Many Misses have said their dream since a child was to participate in a pageant as prestigious as Miss World (or Miss Universe), is it your case? And if so why?
I cannot say it was a childhood dream, but it became a dream I developed after competing in my first pageant at 17. My very first pageant was Miss California Teen USA 2011, and at first, I said I would never do another pageant again. However, after graduating high school and getting a Bachelor’s degree, I felt much better prepared; how incredible it would be to carry such a prestigious title as Miss World. This would mean so many people to encourage and serve. My goal is to encourage youth all over the world to better themselves through education and through hard work they can achieve their wildest dreams.
I entered the competition two days before the deadline. Last June 2016, I placed first runner up at the Miss US International 2016 and second runner up at Miss US Supranational pageants, then I decided to retire from pageantry to focus on my music career. I had no intention of competing again, but when I was offered the opportunity to compete, I loved everything the Miss World Organization stood for. I have a brand new single called “Dangerous Love,” dropping the week of the competition, so it becamean opportunity very difficult to pass up. I would say that cross-promotion was is my key motivation. Let’s face it, pageants are addicting and hard to let go of. Having the opportunity to represent the United States as Miss World will be an incredible honor.
We are all unique, so what would you say is something that makes you stand out from the other contestants?
Having my own record label called Beauty Queen Records.
What inspired you to walk the course of beauty pageants?
From a young age, I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in music upon completion of a Bachelor’s degree, but I also wanted to be a well-rounded individual. The humor of it all is I was a very, very shy child and teenager. I was inspired to walk the course of beauty pageants because I knew how beneficial it would be, as well as force me out of my comfort zone, helping me to gain the confidence I needed to be a better recording artist and performer.
Some
people say that beauty pageants are degrading to women, same with
fashion magazines. How can you convince them they’re wrong?
I grew up not caring about trends; being a shy athletic kid who didn’t even take a brush to her hair. Pageants taught me to carry myself with poise and grace and not just care about the outward presentation, but the inner self as well. Pageants are what encouraged me to get involved in mycommunity; The Let it Be Foundation. I’ve become very close to this organization, a nonprofit that goes beyond supporting a family with a sick child. They place their entire focus on the family, to help them restore a sense of normalcy in their daily lives. Pageants never made me feel degraded, as they helped me learn to be comfortable in my own skin; to find fun ways of living a healthy and fit lifestyle. Pageants are about empowering women, and teaching young women they have a voice that can be used for good and the influence of others.
Who is your ideal beauty queen and how has she helped you to evolve as a beauty queen?
Gal Gadot, Miss Israel 2004, is my ideal beauty queen. Most people know her today as Wonder Woman, and she truly is Wonder Woman. She served in her country’s military, studied law, and went on to become a successful actor. She is the true definition of beauty with brains. She’s helped me evolve as a beauty queen because I’ve been able to recognize the bigger picture in life. I know what my ultimate goals are, that helps me gain a better sense of knowing what my strengths and weaknesses are, how I am going to grow and learn from.
How do you practice confidence?
I practice confidence by dancing around like a goofball, not caring who is watching. When I am in dance rehearsals for a show, it is easy to see myself in the mirror and think I look funny or get into my own head. As I feel less confident, I tell myself to ignore the mirror and focus on having fun in the moment. People will remember you having fun, instead of what steps you missed or could have done differently. This has allowed me more confidence in what I’m doing, and in all areas of life for me. Have fun with it, because it is only for a moment. You just might miss it if you’re too busy worried about anything else.
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