Shakira Ibrahim
Height: 5’5
Hometown: Windsor, ON
Languages: English
Occupation: Student at University Windsor (Bachelors of Criminology and Psychology)
Shakira started her pageant journey just two short years ago when she entered Miss World Ontario where she was a finalist and gained the title of Miss Windsor World 2021. Since then she was top 3 for talent in last years Miss Universe Canada pageant, she was then top 5 in her local Miss Windsor pageant, and finally won the title of Miss Lasalle in her home town in 2023. After a full year and more experience pageants under her belt, Shakira is now ready to come back to Miss Universe Canada and compete with full confidence for the title.
Shakira Ibrahim is a natural on the stage as she has been dancing for over a decade. She has been a part of different studios, danced professionally as a youth, and most recently completed her dance career as a captain for the University Windsor’s Lancer Competitive Dance Team. This is where she completed her bachelor’s in Criminology and Psychology. With this degree she hopes to help the local homeless population as Windsor Ontario has some of the highest rates of poverty and homelessness in the country due to the drug epidemic. Shakira hopes to bring awareness and continue her foundation to help raise funds and good for those who are homeless in the community.
What are your interests and what do you enjoy doing the most?
I have enjoyed dancing for since i was 12. I have been to different studios, professional teams and competition teams over the past decade, and I recently graduated as a captain for the University of Windsor’s Competitive dance team.
List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)
Dance
In what sports, if any, have you participated?
I played soccer for 8 years.
Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?
One person that had the most influence in my life is my older sister. She helped raise me and shape me into the strong, confident woman I am. Since she is 10 years older than me she has been there through all of my major life accomplishments, including all of my pageants. She is a wonderful sister, daughter, wife, and mother who has overcome all types of adversity in her life. I owe who I am today because of watching her and learning from everything she does.
What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?
My proudest personal accomplishment is graduating with my bachelors degree in Criminology and Psychology and then being accepted into my bachelors of education for this upcoming year.
What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?
The most unique thing about me is my name. To my family the name Shakira means thankful, after some complications with her pregnancy my mother decided on this name. I have loved my name ever since I was younger because of everything it means. Ever since I was younger I always get compliments on my name, people always ask if i’m names after the singer or if I can dance like her. The name comes with so much behind it. Shakira is a confident and fierce name, she’s an entertainer and a dancer, she’s strong and sassy. My name is my identity and who i’ve become, and that is what has set me up to be so unique.
What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?
I plan on becoming a teacher and after 2 more years of schooling I will have 2 degrees, which will help me then become part of the school board.
What would be your “dream job” in life?
My dream job would involve dancing in some way, either choreographing or owning a studio. It is something I have loved for years and something I can’t ever see myself being away from.
Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.
I was raised the middle of 5 children so it was always very hectic in my house. We all had to pull our weight and help out with the cooking and cleaning. I believe that this is why I am so independent and resourceful today, I have always had to step up and do what I had to for myself and my siblings as we didn’t have a lot of money. My parents always had multiple jobs to provide for us and I can not thank them enough for instilling their hard work ethic into myself and my siblings.
List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.
Since I was in highschool I have been working at a trampoline park, which may sound more fun than it actually is. It’s more of children running around and not listening to rules, rather than jumping around with them.
List any volunteering you have done.
Since covid I have been volunteering more at my local homeless shelters and soup kitchens. My hometown of Windsor Ontario has very high rates of homelessness so I have been trying to do my best to help out in raising awareness and donating goods, or my time.
What is your most unusual talent?
My most unusual talent is talking in accents, I can do a very realistic British accent. Some people have even asked me if i’m from England!
Where is the most interesting place you have been to?
The most interesting place I have been to was definitely Los Angeles. I loved the big city with amazing cites to see and amazing talented people.
What do you hope to be doing in ten years?
In 10 years I hope to be within the school board. I will most likely have at least 5 years of teaching under my belt and I would love to move up in the education system.