There are few pageant winner crowns that haven’t found their way on Medjy Mezilus’ head. Mezilus won the Miss Canada Globe tiara in 2012. Two years prior, she won the Miss Ontario Globe title. She was the fourth runner up at an edition of Miss Creole Canada. Even when she doesn’t leave a pageant with the winner’s sash placed across her chest, she carries herself like a winner. Mezilus represented Canada in the Miss Freedom of the World in Kosovo in Kosovo and ranked in the Top 10. The pageant that begun it all was the Miss Black Beauty International, held in the Dominican Republic. She represented Canada and walked off as the pageant winner.

Born and raised in Haiti, Mezilus immigrated to Canada six years ago with her family. She admits that she found the move challenging at first. Once, she made up her mind to learn more about her new environment and concentrate on seeking opportunities, rather than on harping on difficulties she was encountering, all sorts of blessings started to come her way.

How did you feel when you heard your name announced as the winner of the pageant Miss Ontario?

I cannot really explain how I felt on that day. So many things were [going through] my mind and different kinds of feelings. All I can say is…it was just a dream come true, because I was speechless. All I remember [doing] was thanking God for the strength and courage that he gave me, because without Him, nothing is impossible. Then, I thanked my family and everyone else who supported me all the way through the competition. Being Miss Ontario Globe was just amazing. You cannot imagine.

Can you talk a little bit about your experience at the Miss Black Beauty International pageant?

My experience in Miss Black Beauty International was wonderful. Even though at the beginning, I was a little nervous, but I was more excited because it was my first international pageant. Having a chance to meet girls from more than twenty countries, learn from their backgrounds and [make] friendships that will last forever was one of my best experiences. The most important thing for me was winning the crown and bringing it home. It was a pleasure and a great honor for Miss Canada Globe and the Haitian committee even though I was representing Canada.

Do you happen to have some words of wisdom for girls and young women who are entering pageants?

Always remember everyone is unique. Don’t try to be someone else, but always be you, because you are going to be judged on your personality, your confidence, your determination and the best stage presence during the all process. The more prepared you are, the better you will do. So, show your personality both in the interview and on stage too. Get plenty of beauty sleep before the pageant week because it’s going to be a busy week. So my words of wisdom for young girls and young women who are entering pageants: Do not undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others, but always be true to who you are in a very positive way, so others can look up to you too. Most certainly not least: smile, have fun, and live those moments to the fullest.

What does beauty mean to you?

Beauty is something that catches all your senses and your heart, a moment of “wow” that is special to you. And note that, what is beautiful for you, may not be for someone else. The most important meaning of [beauty] is [that it’s] something that comes from the inside. If the inside does not match the outer beauty, then it’s not beauty.

When do you feel the most beautiful?

We all have those moments when we look in the mirror and say “Hey, I’m beautiful”. Feeling beautiful can be something inside of you [that] when you feel it, your outer beauty will show. So, the most important thing for me about being beautiful, is how comfortable I am in my own skin. Also holding your head up high, with poise and self-confidence, is probably the number one quality that women say leads to feeling and looking beautiful at any age.

Let’s talk about hair a little bit. Some prefer natural hairstyles, while others prefer the permed look. What are your thoughts on this, and on hair matters period.

My thought on this is: people should choose whatever makes them feel comfortable and what is best for them. But, I will always support someone who wants to go natural. I have been natural for almost two years and I love it. There are so many styles you can do with a natural hair. Also you can wear hair extensions and come up with different styles.

For the ones who already have natural hair—especially if you have nappy hair—I would like to say it’s very important to continue using shampoo that does not contain sulfates, because sulfates strip hair and end up leaving it dry. When you’re going to bed, the best three things to do are: moisturize, twist or braid your hair and wear a silk bonnet. Also, be sure to deep-condition after shampooing because conditioning is everything when it comes to natural hair health. And for those who are wanting to or [are] thinking about going natural, it’s important to have a hair goal. Ask other people who have natural hair which products are good for your hair type and be patient to see [your hair’s] progress.”

Being crowned a beauty queen is a great accomplishment. What are some of the things you’ve done since earning the crown?

Earning the crown is an accomplishment that’s given me a lot of opportunities to help others. I have been part of different fundraisers, for example: [running marathons] for cancer, helping children with school supplies, and lots of fashion shows that raised money to help others. Also, I have been preparing other girls who are going to represent Canada internationally for the Miss Canada Globe competition. And there’s still more things to come.

How do you stay in shape?

That is the recurrent question from everyone I meet [for the first time]. My answer always is: “It’s that blessing from God.” I can count how many times I’ve gone to a gym. But during summer time, I like biking and enjoy a nice, long walk. Even though I don’t do much to stay in this shape, I do encourage other people to eat healthy, drink a lot of water—and practice any kind of sport they like.

So that’s in terms of physical wellness. Now, in terms of mental wellness, how do you stay positive in your life.

Most of the time, we have no idea what we are supposed to be doing, but the truth is we are far greater, far important, far superior than our minds try to define. I, personally embrace life by being courageous and making decisions that benefit my growth. Stay true to myself, learn and accept to win or lose, [while] enjoying the gift that the Lord has gave us, which is life.

Are you a voracious reader?

Oh yes. I like reading different kinds of books. This helps me to build my knowledge.

If you were to recommend a particular book, what book would you recommend?

But one of the books I can recommend to other people to read is the Bible. I call it The Book of Truth.

When was the last time you went to Haiti?

Unfortunately, I’ve never gotten a chance to go back since I left. But, Haiti is always in my mind and my heart. I just can’t wait to go back, because I have so many things I would like to do when I go back.

What are some things you hope to accomplish in the next couple of years?

The next couple of years, there are a lot of things I want to accomplish. I want to get a [college] diploma with a major in Child Development. To have my own modeling and pageant training space for young girls, so they can have a better understanding about this industry and be successful in a very positive, and have a beautiful blessed family.

Wisdom is a great thing to have. What are some of the things you’ve learned in life so far that you’d like to pass on to others?

In life, I’ve learned to be patient and respect others if you want them to respect you. Love yourself—because when you do—life becomes a lot more beautiful and less stressful. What I’d like to pass on to others is that: No matter how tough life may seem sometimes, God is always there for us. No matter what situation you get yourself into—[if] you want to change it, He will help you to move on. And the most important thing, never let anyone bring you down. Always keep your head held high.

[Photos: All photos provided by subject. Headshot photo credit: Evoke salon Make-up by Dani Schleese.]

Not winning the crown at a beauty pageant is not the end of the world. Natacha Sarthou is a prime example of that. In the spring of 2014, she placed as a second runner-up in the Mrs. Haiti International pageant. But the pageant organizers saw enough potential in Sarthou, and the very next day had her compete for the national title. A few months later, Sarthou competed with 64 women from all over the globe, Jacksonville, Florida and her head became the first to carry the Mrs. West Indies International crown.

A mother, and a wife (she and her husband have been married for a decade), Sarthou is active on the philanthropy circuit. She helps build houses in Haiti for families in need. She holds a Bachelors of Business Administration in Finance from Florida International University.

Kreyolicious: When you were in high school, were you pretty popular?

Not at all! I was very quiet, into my studies, and had one or two close friends. It was never my desire or pursuit to become popular. My older sister was the popular one, and after she graduated the same high school, some of her friends who had not yet graduated, accepted me into their circle, so that gave me a little boost. Yet, still I was a quiet person and not a party one.

Kreyolicious: What do you think was the secret to popularity?

I have found that there were different types of groups. And each group was popular to themselves. I guess I was too quiet to really know who was popular in my high school, but I would guess the football players and the cheerleaders. The secret I guess was to be a cheerleader or a football player.

Kreyolicious: What are some of the things you’ve been up to since winning?

I have been doing exactly what I had been doing since 2009, when my platform was birthed—and [that was] raising awareness and funds to build homes for the most vulnerable throughout the Caribbean and Latin America. I am so grateful to all my supporters and donors who have contributed towards building our first house for an impoverished family in Haiti. We are still actively working towards building more homes. There are 1.6 billion people in the world who live in inadequate shelter. By that we mean, settlements which include houses made of mud and sticks, dilapidated huts, and tin shacks where there is no access to clean water and the lack of sanitation. Research indicates that every 17 seconds a child 5 years old and under dies due to these unsanitary living conditions. Through my platform work, we are relocating families from the slums to a new sanitary living environment, providing them with a permanent, concrete home with sanitation, while reducing infant mortality, breaking the cycles of sickness, death and poverty, raising the education level, increasing productivity and boosting the economy.

Kreyolicious: If you were to choose between having beauty or confidence, which would you go for? And you could only choose one!

Definitely it is confidence. I have always believed that there are no ugly people. I seriously and honestly mean that. God created us all, and every good and perfect gift comes from Him. Therefore, He makes all ‘good’. And, ugly is not a good thing. Having said that, I do believe that everyone is uniquely beautiful! I see beauty in every face. So, if we can all grasp the concept that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God, we do not need to compare ourselves with others. Comparing [oneself] to other people is detrimental to one’s confidence. You will always be your worst critic. Changing your paradigm of thinking, and working on becoming the best you, you can become, is the best and most positive path you can take. You will grow into a more beautiful, stronger and confident you. I am more of a behind-the-scene type of person, I don’t seek to be in the spotlight, but oh, how I have grown into a more confident “me” because I [left] my comfort zone to achieve greater things. My platform brought me to the pageant system. I participated solely to have greater influence in raising awareness to serve the poorest of the poor. In 1990, when I won Miami Orange Bowl Princess, my supervisor at work signed a paper promising to sponsor me $500 to participate in the Miss America Pageant. I never did. And now I found myself in pageantry, enjoyed it, learned a lot, and only because I am on a mission. So confidence is a great attribute that we must all develop and work on all the time if we want to achieve greater things. Now, confidence is not arrogance. When a person is confident, she is comfortable with herself, she finds no need to bring others down. Humility is a great sign of confidence. Pride is not.

Kreyolicious: What measures do you take to stay in shape?

Eating healthful and working out.

Kreyolicious: Is Haiti a place that you visit often?

We do not travel much except within the States. However, I am hoping this December to join Food for the Poor on their mission’s trip to Haiti, to meet the family we built the house for.

Kreyolicious: Young girls and women struggle to love themselves and their bodies. What tips have you learned from your own experience that can help them get on that road to self-love and confidence?

As I mentioned, the best advice is, “Do not compare yourself to others. Work at becoming a better and improved you. Compete with yourself.” Each time you accomplish a task or a personal goal and you get out of your comfort zone, you will be more confident. And lastly, but most importantly, you have got to know that you are fearfully and wonderfully made by God. Yes you are beautiful. But true beauty is what is in your heart. Therefore, work on developing a good character. That is the essence of a person. Character, who you are, determines your legacy, not your looks.

Kreyolicious: Being Mrs. West Indies International is just the beginning. I was reading that you’re involved with a number of organizations. What else is next for you?

Humbly, I honestly do not know. Five years ago, I could not have told you that I would be in pageantry and as Mrs. West Indies International 2014,[be] promoting this cause which began very [humbly] between family and friends. One step at a time, I am strategically working to be a voice for a people who often are forgotten by the rest of the world. My heart’s desire is to raise a large amount of capital to build more homes, but I also know if I can raise greater awareness and inform and inspire others on the reality of this global slum housing crisis where people who are breathing yet have no life, then together we can impact their world. Through adequate housing we can change lives, one house at a time for one family at a time.

[Photos: Vlad the Tech ; final photo provided by subject]

To support Mrs. West Indies International in her charitable endeavors with Food for the Poor, CLICK HERE.

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