Haiti’s beauty queens have been many, Claudinette Fouchard, Gerthie David, Evelyne Miot, Marie-Edith Vaval, Sarodj Bertin and now Anedie Azael. Azael edged out several contestants to represent Haiti in Brazil last summer at the Miss Universe pageant, and life won’t stop there. Haiti Miss Universe has big plans for herself, thank you very much. Azael, who was born in Haiti and left the country in 2004 to further pursue her studies in South Florida, has been everywhere (or so it would seem) since her crowning.

The beauty pageant wasn’t her first foray into the fashion and beauty world. She was signed as a model to an agency in Miami and with her nearly 5’10 frame, she worked the runway and was featured in several print campaigns for different brands.

It’s been more than 5 decades since Fouchard was Miss Haiti, Miss Sugar Cane—among other pageant honors, and more opportunities have presented themselves for Haiti’s beauty queens. Anedie is mining them all, kicking all the tires. She’s undoubtedly grateful for all those who paved the way for her, but she’s blazing her own path. She’s her own woman.

Q&A
Tell us about Anedie, the real Anedie.
Well what can I say about the real me? I love to laugh, have a good time, and help others in need. I also recently developed a passion for cooking. I am all about doing things right with perfection. I am a great listener, a loyal friend. The rest of me stays as a mystery.

How have you been enjoying your journey as Miss Haiti thus far?
Being Miss Haiti has been a challenge as there is no real organization of “Miss Haiti” that supports and helps me. So I have been doing everything on my own. Besides that it has been great, as I’ve been able to speak to young girls to motivate them as well as develop their self-esteem. Also, I’ve had some doors open for me in Haiti to do some projects.

How did you first learn of the Miss Haiti pageant, and did you think you had a chance?
I learned about it from the previous Miss Haiti Universe. I always thought I had a chance because it has always been my passion to represent my country on every level, and staying positive and confident is the only way.

Do you have any advice for the person who’s going to be taking over your crown?
All I have to say is enjoy your year as a Queen to the fullest, especially the three weeks at Miss Universe competition as these memories will last a lifetime. Also have a passion in life besides the beauty world. Believe in a cause, in a change, advocate it and start the change.

And once you’ve turned your tiara over, what are your plans?
When I turn my crown to the next Miss Haiti, my plans continues with my non-profit organization Peace Love International and my campaign Ayiti N’Ap Mache. I plan on having a TV Show in Haiti about fashion and the beauty world and also I plan to have a boutique for men and women in Haiti. I also plan to continue with my modeling life as I stopped since Miss Haiti.

Who do you admire the most?
I really admire Mahatma Gandhi for his non-violence tactics to achieve freedom and independence in India, in hope that one day we will have world peace.

Given the proper clothes and suitable makeup, can a girl be made beautiful?
I believe that it is the inner beauty that always shines through. A girl is “beautiful” through her actions, personality, humility and poise. The clothes and make-up are just extras, for the outer beauty.

You’re heavily involved in the campaign to help restore Haiti’s place on the tourism map.
I think that Haiti, once known as the Pearl of the Antilles, needs to be marketed better. Haiti is one of the most beautiful countries in the world, and I’m not saying this because I am from here, but I’ve traveled to many places and never I can’t compare the beauty of Haiti to anywhere in the world. Therefore, one of my missions is to change the image of Haiti throughout the world and my strategy of doing so is to invite the most beautiful women of the world and the ambassadors of other countries to visit my home.

In February, I invited 6 Miss Universe candidates to Haiti during our carnival and in April, I invited another set of 3 beauty queens. It is a hard and difficult battle but very possible. Haiti is a virgin country with much history. Our beaches and mountains are magical. Very soon, I am launching a tourism agency called Perfection Tours where everyone can come and visit the beauty of Haiti.

Have you ever been betrayed by someone who you trusted?
Yes, I have. When I started high school I got betrayed by my best friends and until now I do not know why, but I do not regret anything as it made me the person I am today. It is difficult for me to have a “friend” or to let anyone in my life now. I am very cautious of who is in my surroundings.

You have a foundation.
Yes. My foundation is my heart. It is called Peace Love International and our mission is to empower people, to give them the resources and knowledge to do for themselves. Currently, I am supporting two orphanages and 17 children which accounts for 112 children in Haiti. I am launching a campaign called “Ayiti N’ap Mache” (Haiti we are Walking) which is about protecting yourself and your environment and everything that has to do with ecology; such as reforestation, recycling etc.

When you’re not performing activities related to Miss Haiti, what do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy watching movies, spending time with my other half, going to restaurants and my new hobby, as I mentioned earlier, cooking.

Do you have a close relationship with your family?
Yes, I do. I love my family. I am who I am because of them as they are my support system. But I have to say, my grandma holds a special place in my heart—whoever is reading this I am not playing favorites, haha. I owe everything I know in terms of fashion and beauty to my mother, my business mind to my father, my spirit to my grandma. My sisters are my best friends and I don’t know what I would do without them.

You recently worked with famed photographer Marc Baptiste on several shoots. How was that experience?
Wow. He is one of the best photographers I have ever worked with. He is just amazing. We shot for the December cover of Haiti’s fashion magazine Rebelle and also for my 2012 calendar and that was one of the best photography experiences in my life. A lot of the photos I was wearing no make-up and without bragging I never thought I would look so beautiful without make-up. He is just amazing with such great energy and inspirations and I am proud to say that he is Haitian.

Where can your calendar be purchased?
You can find my calendars in Haiti, at Caribbean Supermarket, Giant Supermarket and Big Star Market. Pretty soon, in about 2 months I will be giving the remaining calendars to fans and supporters.

Are you still a spokeswoman for the Rebo brand or have you gotten any endorsements as a result of being Miss Haiti?
No, I am not and until now I have not gotten any endorsement yet, but I am currently working very closely with Jedco Company as they care very much for the environment and the Haitian people as I do.

Do you find yourself wondering if some people might want to get close to you because of your fame?
Well it’s quite sad to say this, but, yes. It has happened already. In high school, I did not have that many friends and suddenly people that used to ignore me would come up to me and say hi, try to talk to me and become friends. I do not hold any grudges, so it’s all groovy!

Do you at times feel that you can’t be yourself, that you have an image to uphold at all times?
I do believe that there is a certain character that you must be in depending on your environment. But never have I been fake or not myself. Sometimes I do have to keep my back more straight then other times, haha, but that inner person is always Anedie. For example, I will act and look a certain way if I am in the same room as the President then I would in a room with a couple of my friends. When I say ‘act’, I do not mean that my personality changes, I just probably speak with a more sophisticated language. But never will I be in an environment where I can’t be myself, and if I do find myself in that position, I am sure that I will have the will to leave that place ASAP.

As someone in the public eye, how do you deal with gossip and rumors?
Honestly I do not like to gossip and create rumors so I stay away from that. If someone next to me starts to gossip and create rumors I move away or I just start thinking about other things and daze off.

It’s the year 2022, what do you imagine yourself doing?
Ten years from now, I will have a family, a husband and children, maybe two, have my tourism agency, my fashion store, and hopefully my non-profit will be bigger so that I can help more people. I will always be a voice for the Haitian people therefore in ten years I will still be advocating for a better country in hope that I start see and feel a change.

A beauty does not live on her looks alone, or so the adage goes. What are your educational plans?
I am done with college. I graduated from Florida International University in Miami, Florida. I studied Business Management with a minor in Liberal Studies. I never stop educating myself, as they say, “Knowledge is power” so I always try to learn more from people, mentors, in all aspects of life. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
KREYOLICIOUSLY YOURS…ANEDIE

A sure way to get me angry is to…Betray my trust

The last time I cried was when…I watched a romance movie (yesterday)

I can’t help but smile when…I see children happy.

At this point of my life, what I value most are…My family—especially grandma—my better half, my home, knowledge—education—positiveness.

Most people don’t know that I…Have a tattoo (hidden)

Artists I’m really feeling right now…Dido, Sade, JPerry.

Three words that describe me for sure…Honest, loyal, goofy

I wish people weren’t…So materialistic and selfish.

In my downtime, I like to…Watch movies, cook or go to restaurants, spend time with loved ones.

These are my instructions to the man who I will marry…I found you already and you better stay the same or get better.

Image Sources: Various, including Paul Cobo Photography

Miss Haiti Universe Raquel Pelissier made history over the weekend as the first contestant from Haiti in nearly forty-two years to made it to runner-up status at the Miss Universe pageant held in Manila, Philippines. Those who were following the pageant from the beginning waited with bated breath as the 25-year-old made it to the Top 20, then the Top 10, then the Top 6, and then was alongside (Miss France) Iris Mittenaere,(Miss Colombia) Andrea Tovar, as a part of the Top 3. Miss France won the crown, but to many, Miss Pelissier was a winner too!

A huge welcome awaits her in Haiti, one can surmise—as well as the major cities of the Haitian Diaspora. The visibility she’s earned as Miss Haiti Universe will no doubt bring endorsement offers and other opportunities. A modeling contract?

Miss Haiti Universe Raquel Pelissier as styled by Waina Chancy.

And she doesn’t have to wait for companies to court her! With the buzz around her, she can create something of her own.

Miss Pelissier is an optometrist and she’s been extremely verbal about treating ocular disorders. With such medical and scientific leanings, she can join forces with a solid eye institute towards her ultimate goal.

Miss Haiti Universe Raquel Pelissier in a Fernando Marin gown in the last part of the Miss Universe showdown with Miss France!

She revealed over the course of the pageant that as an infant she was in a coma that lasted nearly a month. In addition to her education platform, there is a possibility that perhaps she could add pediatric health?

Miss Haiti Universe holds a Master’s Degree in Scientific Research. Will she pursue a doctorate next? Or will she put her education aside (for now) to field the opportunities coming her way?

She may even go the same route as Ariadna Gutiérrez, the Miss Universe runner-up from the previous year, who had a plump role in the action film XXX.

Whatever she decides, she must act quickly, yet shrewdly! May Raquel Pelissier continue to shine ever so brightly.

CLICK HERE to read about other beauty queens of Haitian descent.

CLICK HERE to follow Raquel Pelissier’s journey.

Sarodj Durocher Bertin is one of this century’s overachievers. She is a beauty queen. She has her own foundation Sarodj for a Purpose. She is a calendar girl, most recently posing for the 2013 edition for what has become an annual treat for her fans, the Sarodj Bertin I Love Haiti calendar. The Port-au-Prince-born philanthropist managed to raise $60,000 from the sales of the last edition. Bertin is planning a vocational school to teach young Haitian trades, in addition to building an orphanage.

And let us not forget the fact that she got tapped by makeup brand the Maite Makeup Company to be one of the ambassadors of their brand. And now, Bertin is making her way in filmdom. She previously starred in director Angelo Rizzo’s movie The Voodoo’s List, but is now aiming for the U.S. film market, making her debut in that market in the Richard Widmack Belot film Everybody Cheats. The film produced by Nirva Balan and Even Flow, also stars Benz Antoine, along with a host of other talented thespians.

Sarodj and co-star Benz Antoine on the set of Everybody Cheats.

Q & A

Why do you think so many people are fascinated by you? And concerned with your every move?
I believe that people support and follow the ones whom they are able to identify with. Therefore, I’m honored to know that there is many lovely people that identify themselves with me and the things I’m doing.

Do you ever find yourself feeling the need to limit what the public knows about you?
Not really. However, I do believe that is always good to have a little bit of privacy, because any person need to know that they have a moment for their own.

At which point did you get approached about this movie?
I spent a couple of months talking to the director and the producers of the movie; they sent me the script and I liked the story! I think that it’s amazing and that everybody will enjoy it as much as we did it during it’s filming.

Photo Credit: Yonacary Wingard

How did you prepare for this role?
By studying my script, and using my imagination as an actress to complete the life story of my role.

Any actors and actresses who you’d like to work with?
I admire many actors, but one actor I would love to work with is Will Smith… And an actress I would love to work with is Catherine Zeta Jones.

Are there actresses who you especially look up to?
I admire many of them, but if I have to mention a couple of my favorites ones, then I have to say Catherine Zeta Jones and Julia Roberts.

What attracts you to a movie project?
What attracts me in first place to any project is the story, then it comes the director and of course actors, because is very important to me to feel comfortable with the people I am going to work with.

What movies have you seen that have made an impression on you?
Well, I learn from every movie I watch. Sometimes I get very excited about the characters and actors’ performances. Movies like Hunger Games, Colombiana, Taken, among others have made an impression on me lately.

What’s the latest with your foundation Sarodj for a Purpose?
I just received the donation of the land from a Haitian businessman name Henry Tevenin. Now we are working on the documents such as property title, etc., and hopefully, we will start building the home for children this year!

Do you think one day you’ll leave the law field and pursue acting full-time?
I think that law is and will always be part of me! Being a lawyer is part of who I am. Nevertheless, I am also passionate about acting. I love it and I want to learn more about it everyday, and definitely I want to work more in it!

You actually were crowned Reina Hispanoamericana in 2012. How was that experience?
It was a great experience, as I always say, “Everything that happens in our life should be used to grow as a person”. I feel honored by my new title and crown, and I will use it wisely to bring positivism to all the people who follow me and believe in me.

You are an attorney, you are also a former pageant queen, and you have a foundation, and now of course the acting bug has bit you. How do you manage to stay balanced, and now tear all your hair out?
I like everything I do, so I enjoy it! That’s the reason why I never feel like tearing my hair! [Laughter]

What’s next for you as far as acting is concerned?
My new movie Everybody Cheats will be coming out in April 2013, so wait for it! I know you will love it.

Check out the trailer for Sarodj’s film below!

Do check out this interview below with Karm Syndia of Tele Diaspora:

Photo Credit: Yonacary Wingard

Miss Haiti Universe Lisa Drouillard has a lot of mileage on her feet. The New York-born-and-raised beauty queen traveled to Vegas late last year to compete at the Miss Universe pageant. She didn’t win the crown, but to most, her smile and persistence were everything.

Since then, she’s been continuing her community service work. She teamed up with the organization Fresh Youth Initiatives to inspire younger girls with her motivational talks.

And then there’s Haiti. There was a time when Haiti was a place Lisa Drouillard saw on the internet, and heard others discuss. Now, she’s made several trips to the island, visiting schools and speaking to Haiti’s children—and being an unofficial ambassador of sorts. It comes with the beauty queen territory, and it’s a territory that she’s more than familiar with, having won the Miss Teen New York pageant a few years ago. Then it was Miss Grand International right before Miss Haiti Universe, and who knows what might be next. It’s hard not to applaud her.

Kreyolicious: Congratulations by the way on having been Miss Universe Haiti, first off.

Thank You!

Kreyolicious: Even if you’ve already won pageants before, and have been winning them since you were a kid, some people don’t realize that it takes courage to enter each additional one.

It does. Most times the reason why pageant girls enter pageants is to gain or work on their self esteem. And then to finally make it and be conscious of the negative comments that are made about you takes a lot of courage to face. I was tell girls that they have to be sure that this is something that they want to do because it can definitely take you out of your comfort zone.

Kreyolicious: What was it like to compete for the Miss Universe Haiti in Vegas?

Competing for the Miss Universe pageant was a dream come true. I have been competing for some time now, so to make it to that very stage was very much accomplishing.

Kreyolicious: To me, you’re a winner for just having been there. Outside of your pageant triumphs, what are you most proud of?

I am proud of the person I have become. I love that I give myself a goal and no matter how difficult or how unfair my journey may seem, I still manage to make sure that I stay true to myself and do whatever it is my heart is set out on. In a world where it is easy to fall apart, I am glad I can find different ways to get past the negatives.

Kreyolicious: The last time I interviewed you, you had never been to Haiti. But since then, you’ve made trips. What was the first trip like? What has it been like since then?

My first trip I was eager to know what the actually country and people were like. Now, even though I am still learning, I feel like I am able to appreciate it from a cultural perspective rather than a touristic mindset.

Kreyolicious: You once told me that your definition of beauty is “being content with oneself.” But you can be content with yourself, but your mind and pysche are constantly getting battered and assaulted with comparisons…filtered images and all. I’ve read of cases where girls and women fell into deep depression or worse when they were looking at social media platforms of people their age, and being bummed out because they felt they couldn’t compare with the perfection that was presented by their peers.

I can relate. The media will always be there to sway our emotions left and right unfortunately. I think that having a healthy surrounding can also aid into one being content with his or herself. There will always be someone who looks better is doing better, but once you accept that your journey is different, then you doubt less. Having those group of people who has your best interest at heart really helps keep you driven.

Kreyolicious: It’s been said that a women’s biggest enemies are women themselves. Girls rule the world, so goes the maxim. And yet, some women have the lowest self esteem and self-image.

I feel like that will always be the case because we are human! It is not everyday we will feel like a million bucks. We will have out moments when we feel “wack” it’s called a bad day. As long as we don’t turn it into a bad life. As far as being each other’s biggest enemies, that can be the unfortunate truth these days because we want to win so badly at everything that we start shutting others that look up to us out. Generally speaking. I hope that can change although there are some women doing a great job at being each other’s mentors. If you do well, so will I.

Kreyolicious: I saw all these adorable photos of you and these little school children and Haiti. I think it’s cool that you do these school tours.

Kreyolicious: Are you involved with any philanthropic organizations or have thought of forming your own?

I am in the process of choosing one to work with. As for now I am enjoying being able to work with as many as my heart’s desires.

Kreyolicious: Lisa Drouillard is a name we’re going to be seeing over and over. What’s next for you?

A lot is happening for me thankfully. I am truly blessed. You may see the entrepreneur business side of Lisa, the philanthropic side, and the actress maybe. So many opportunities are coming my way and I want to cease the moment and enjoy them without biting off more than I can chew or getting lost in the hype!

CLICK HERE to keep up with Lisa Drouillard on Instagram. | LISA DROUILLARD ON TWITTER