I absolutely enjoy listening to music because I truly feel that I express myself the best through the lyrics and beat. I used to be a dancer so dancing is also a big interest I have and I think it goes back to me feeling so connected to music, when I hear a beat I just listen and feel it and the moves just come naturally. I also adore cooking it is truly my love language and of course anything that revolves around fashion is in my top interests in life!

List any special training you have had (music, art, drama, dance, etc.)

When I was very young I tried gymnastics for a few years, it was a really amazing experience but I wanted to dance and move a little more. I eventually started doing hip hop and absolutely fell in love with the style! I did that from the age of 5 till I was around 14. I also played the piano for a year but I was never able to understand the notes. It is a pretty funny story actually because I would have to watch my coach play the song first and I would just memorize the keys he would press! It still was a very fun instrument to learn!

In what sports, if any, have you participated?

I did a little bit of gymnastics and I also did dancing. At first I was put in ballet classes but after about 2 years I went into Hip Hop and I felt more connected to this style of dancing. Fun fact about me is that I actually wanted to become a professional dancer during that time!

Name one person, other than your parents, who has had the most influence on your life. Why?

A person other than my parents who has had the most influence on my life would 100% be my older sister, Aliya. She is truly an inspiration to me for so many reasons but mainly because she never stops reminding me of how proud of myself I should be.

I am also very proud to share that she is the owner of a dog grooming salon at only 21 years old, and has other business projects with her partner as well! As a younger sister I feel so motivated to work harder in everything I do because I see how far she has gotten. After seeing all of the hard work she put into making her business what it is, I couldn’t be more amazed. She has accomplished so much and at such a young age I truly cannot believe it!

I tell her every important thing that happens in my life and she always makes sure that I know how great of an achievement it is. No matter what I have gone through and what I will go through she always does her best to protect me in her way and I am so very grateful to her for that!

I do not tell her as often as I should but I do hope she knows that I love her so much and I don’t know what I would do without her by my side! “

What is your proudest personal accomplishment (other than participating in this pageant)?

My proudest personal accomplishment is putting myself before anyone else! I have always been a huge people pleaser and I used to put everyone before me even if that meant hurting myself. I am still very young but as I grew up and matured I slowly began to realize how much I love the woman that I am becoming. Looking back at how miserable I would let myself be for people who wouldn’t do the same for me is heartbreaking. I broke myself in so many pieces for so long without knowing that this was the reason. I am so incredibly proud of how strong and confident I am now, it has helped me immensely to always think of my wants and needs before anyone else’s. However, if it wasn’t for all of those low moments I wouldn’t be as high as I am right now so thank you to my younger self!

What is the most interesting or unique thing that has ever happened to you and/or what is the most interesting thing about you?

I would say the most interesting thing about me is my listening skills, I just really like making people feel heard and it honestly comes naturally. I never have to force myself to listen when someone is talking and I have realized the more I listen the easier it is for me to give advice! I do see it as a gift because I love helping everyone around me and I care a lot for people especially when they come to me for help, it really makes me feel as if I have done something right!

What is your career ambition and what are you doing or plan to do to accomplish that goal?

My career ambition is mainly to become a stylist and a fashion model along with being an advocate for mental health. I am currently in the process of getting my diploma in a fashion program to then pursue a career as a stylist. As for modelling, I have been turned down by so many agencies I couldn’t even tell you the exact number, but I am a very persistent person and I don’t give up so I know one day it will happen. I always tell myself if it is not happening right now, then it is not meant to be right now! Advocating for mental health would also be such a huge accomplishment for me because I have dealt with many issues concerning my mental health at such a young age that I now feel I want to help others who struggle with theirs! After all, it is why I signed up for Miss Universe Canada because I just really wanted to represent and bring awareness to the importance of mental health.

What would be your “dream job” in life?

Being in the fashion industry would be my dream job, honestly I am still very young and my goals can change but as long as I am in the industry I will be the happiest girl in the world. I do feel as if it is my “calling”, I just know I want to be apart of something big and for me fashion is big because it is unlimited!

Describe where you were raised and what your childhood was like.

I was raised in a residential suburb north of Montreal, it is where we have lived ever since I was born. Growing up here as a family of four was pretty easy for the most part. I loved going to the park with my friends in the summer and playing in the snow when winter came along. My dance studio was also here and I think it is where I have my favourite memories! I would have to say the hardest thing from my childhood was trying to not compare myself to the other kids, but it was very difficult because everyone around me was white and I was not, physically. I felt so different from others around me because of that, which breaks my heart because now I can’t even imagine not looking the way I look. Back then it was a predominantly white area so it wasn’t shocking to me that I was one of the few coloured kids, but it still affected me. Now it has become a very diverse population which is great! I was also blessed with two loving parents who are very understanding so I loved being at home, I would even say I loved it too much. As I got older I got closer to them so much so that I preferred staying home with them instead of going out with friends because of how comfortable it feels when I’m there. I just love my parents so much and when I am with them I feel safe and secure. They are the reason why my childhood was filled with joy! They gave my sister and I everything they could and I am so very grateful! I am lucky to have the chance to call these two wonderful humans my parents!

List any interesting or unusual jobs you may have had.

During the COVID pandemic my father decided to start his own company and he chose to sell face masks. That summer my entire family and I would go work in the warehouse building the little boxes and putting the masks inside of them as a way to help him out. It was honestly the most interesting job I have ever had because I was working with my mom, sister, aunts, uncles and cousins which was so unusual. It was just like having a family function but everyday of the week. Although in the moment it was very draining and I despised going, I now look back and love the memories I got from this time.

List any volunteering you have done.

Truthfully I am a huge advocate in my own way to bring awareness to Mental Health Issues because of my personal experience dealing with it since I was about 14! I have recently started to understand how I can help myself which is why I am just now realizing how important it is to participate in volunteering programs and help others. I know what it’s like to feel alone and if I can be the hand that pulls someone out of the darkness I would truly feel accomplished.

What is your most unusual talent?

I am good at doing different accents from around the world but I am GREAT at imitating certain memes that are on the internet! To be completely honest this side of me only comes out around my parents and my sister because I know they are always a good audience when I’m being silly!

Where is the most interesting place you have been to?

I am half Salvadorian and before last year I had never visited El Salvador because of how dangerous and corrupted it was! Recently everything changed thanks to our new president Nayib Bukele who saved our people. When I went there it was extremely interesting because I was so emotional and it was like discovering a side of me that I never knew I had. I felt so connected to the country, It was a very magical trip. Being with my family and seeing where my mother, her siblings and my grandparents grew up was fascinating!

What do you hope to be doing in ten years?

In ten years, I hope to be helping communities around Canada and around the world that are suffering so we can hopefully change the future generations that will follow after them! I especially would want to help and educate people on the importance of mental health because it is not made a priority till this day! Lastly, I aspire to be by that time using my creativity in a way that makes me feel happy and fulfilled, I truly don’t know where it will lead me but I know it will be great!