Representing UAE, and after having lived there for 8 years, Lia Saad has become the new Lebanese Ambassadress after her election as Miss Lebanon Emigrant for the year 2014. Lia has not only lived in UAE, but also in Buglaria and Qatar prior to that. She is currently pursuing her education in the media field at the American University of Dubai. Beiruting had the chance to exclusively interview Lia as she freely answered the following:
Q: How did you reach the decision to participate in Miss Lebanon Emigrant?
A: The participation was random, when we saw the ad we sent an email to Mr. Antoine Maksoud and he said he would check for availability. A year later, and as we put the issue behind us, we received a call to confirm my registration in the pageant.
Q: What added value do you think you got from this election?
A: I feel like I have the power to actually make a change, and my voice can and will be heard. If I were a normal person, in the shadows, no one will listen to me, but now that I have a title, I think I have a chance to deliver a message.
Q: What did u think about the competition?
A: Generally, very nice. I thought it would be relaxing at first, but it was very strict and extremely hard. During those three weeks, we used to encounter a new challenge everyday and girls were saying, this is it, I am out. We used to wake up at 6 o'clock every day. There was no girl that didn't cry. 3 hours of daily choreography training, three hours with high heels with no time to rest. And the photo-shoot sessions were tiring too, even when we go to clubs we'd think we would have fun but it ends in posing for photos.
Q: Did you reach that point where you said I want to quit?
A: Luckily no, I was in it all through the way and was determined not to quit on myself.
Q: What did you dislike the most?
A: The small differences we had with the girls resulting with catfights. Despite the fact that when we first met we decided not to make any trouble and we attempted to become friends, but things didn't go as planned.
Q: What did you think about the pageant?
A: Everything was very professional and with high standards.
During the actual pageant, there was an embarrassing experience where my dress was ripped during the last minute, but the team was quick and very helpful. I had two questions, one which I messed up in, "what famous Lebanese emigrant that you look up to?" I answered Shakira, I felt that I messed up but tried to make it up later. As for the second question; "What would you take from Lebanon if you had the chance?" it was tricky because 3 girls had the same answer; CEDAR, but three different reasons why. My reason was because I believe to see something that big standing here especially with the situation, and if something so old and helpless can stand this long then we have hope.
Q: Who was your competition?
A: Each one had a specific thing that the other one didn't have, but in my mind it was Miss Mexico who would win and she actually deserved more than she got. Everyone deserved more than they got, but we gained friendships and experiences.
Q: Finally, what is next?
A: Next is Miss international, with 80 girls to compete against. Usually most of the winners are Asian, but Christina Sawaya won once so maybe the Lebanese have hope.
Lia finally thanked Beiruting for the interview and we in turn wish her all the success in her futures endeavors...
By : Stephany B.
