Leanne Marie Cecile

Miss Universe Canada 2003

I met with Leanne on April 24, 2003 for another session of interview preparation and general fun. In this exclusive interview with JPP, Leanne talks about...well…just about everything! Enjoy!

JIMMY STEELE: So, I’m sitting here with a girl named Leanne Cecile, who, as I understand it, is Miss Universe Canada 2003. Leanne, tell us, what is your favourite thing about Jimmy’s Pageant Page?

LEANNE CECILE: My favourite thing about Jimmy’s Pageant Page is…

JS: I’m so kidding! Don’t answer that.

LC: Why not?

JS: Okay, go for it!
LC:…is the fact that anyone can go on that site and know that it’s the most current, up-to-date information…

JS: I’m the first person to admit that is such a lie, but you’re sweet to say that.

LC: Well, it’s so thorough and complete! Those are my favourite things about it.

JS: You can stay! So, silliness aside – and I hope everyone who reads this interview doesn’t think I’m an egomaniacal bastard; it’s just my silliness talking…

LC: No, really, you are an okay guy!

JS: Okay, you can definitely stay. Seriously, though, all of us are really excited to know that Canada has another amazing delegate who can definitely make the top ten and beyond, but, more importantly, represent our country well. We’ve all read your interview on Global Beauties, and you’ve been in a few Canadian newspapers; let’s take a page from a past Miss Universe Pageant: tell us something about yourself you haven’t already told the press.

LC: Well, first and foremost, I’d like Canada and the world to know that I’m a committed, adventurous and driven young woman, who will do my very best to represent our country and the Miss Universe Organization. [The title of Miss Universe] is something I think I can wear very comfortably and I know I can do justice to! That’s the most important thing I’d like everyone to know.

JS: We know you have something like 82 university degrees. Tell us what you have studied and are studying in school.

LC: I’ve been in school for quite a while, Jimmy! (laughs) I attended the University of Windsor and achieved two degrees there, a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Education, and after Teacher’s College, I went into Pharmacy school in Detroit, Michigan, which is where I’m not too far from finishing my Doctor of Pharmacy degree, as a Clinical Pharmacist. Very soon I’ll be making my rounds with doctors and visiting patients. I can’t wait.

JS: You’ve said it to me many times: you’re a science nerd! What on earth made you decide to become a beauty queen, and to enter that first pageant, Miss Universe Canada – Western Ontario?

LC: The one thing that really made me want to enter the pageant was that I was looking for a change from school: something a little bit out of the ordinary, and something really challenging. When the opportunity came up, I found out that it was my one and only chance to compete because of my age, since I am at the “far end of the age spectrum!” (laughs) So, I decided to just jump on it, to go for it, and to see how well I could do. I’m very glad I took that chance.

JS: Tell us a bit about the Western Ontario Pageant. Who was your roommate?

LC: My roommate there was Claudia Quintino. She’s a wonderful girl who is very proud of her Portuguese heritage. She taught me a lot about her family, her beliefs and her life, and she is such a sweetheart. I’m glad I got to spend those five days with her.

JS: Fala você português?

LC: No, she didn’t teach me any, but I did understand the question! (laughs)
JS: The Western Ontario pageant was a beautiful show, very well produced and really exciting; I had a great time there. For me, the highlight of the event probably was when all eight of you finalists were standing there, and you were waiting for the announcement of the five finalists who would go to Miss Universe Canada…then the host opened the envelope and said that all eight of you would go on to the national finals. A very “oh my God!” moment, right? How did you feel then?

LC: At first I was in disbelief! I know the host quite well [ed. note: Leanne’s longtime boyfriend, her high school sweetheart, who is now a businessman in Windsor, was tapped to host the regional finals] and I know that he’s a big joker, I thought he was pulling our legs, and turning it into a joke! (laughs) I was thinking, “That’s so cruel!” (laughs) But then all of us just started to cry tears of joy, and our families started cheering. So, lots of tears when we realized that all eight of us would be traveling to Toronto.

JS: How did you prepare for the national pageant?

LC: In preparing for the national finals, I would have to say that, in addition to learning how to do my hair, and doing my make-up every single morning, which was something I was not used to, I really tried to prepare myself mentally. Knowing that I was going [to Toronto] to do my best, and knowing that whatever happens in the long run was meant to be were a big part of it. I was always willing to accept what would come along with winning, but at the same time, I knew what to expect if I did or did not place in the top ten. Trying to prepare myself for any situation was definitely the key.

JS: Did you ever think you would win Miss Universe Canada?

LC: Well, honestly, I don’t think anyone would enter a pageant if they didn’t feel they had a chance to win. Sure, I always hoped that I would win, but I never went in to the pageant thinking that I would definitely take home the crown. Of course I was hopeful, just like everyone else.

JS: Who was your roomie at nationals?

LC: Nancy Habashi from outside Montréal. She is such a sweet girl! Her parents were in Toronto for the entire ten days of the pageant, and they were so helpful. You could tell they had so much pride in their daughter, and that they love her so much. Nancy is also a student, like me, and she is what you could call a “pageant veteran”. She gave me a lot of tips and many extremely helpful pointers, and I really enjoyed being Nancy’s roommate!

JS: So, drama ensued at the preliminary show. It was a fun and amazing night! And Justine Pasek was there! We love Justine!
LC: I love Justine: she’s amazing.

JS: And you got to meet her?

LC: Yes, I did. Justine is a phenomenal woman. You would think that when you see her in public, with her entourage of publicists and chaperones, she is almost untouchable, because she presents such an aura. But when you really get to know her, sitting down and speaking with her one-on-one, she is such a soft-spoken, well-spoken, kind young woman. Luckily, the day after I won my title, we got to hang out that day, and I had a blast. We went to a Toronto Raptors game, we sat together on the sidelines, and just chatted together. She’s so down-to-earth, and she really inspired me to just go for it during my reign. She showed me that your kind, gentle, girl next door could win the Miss Universe title, and that you don’t have to be a diva or a supermodel to win.

JS: I know many people would like to know what it was like to compete in Miss Universe Canada. Most of us have seen the Star TV documentary, and saw what went on during the ten days in Toronto, but not too much behind the scenes of the show. Tell us about the atmosphere among the girls during pageant week.

LC: The environment changed, actually, from the time we arrived in Toronto to the night of the final show. At the beginning of the journey, everyone was very laid-back, everyone was getting to know each other, but towards the end of the week, everything became more and more exciting, knowing that the competition was becoming a little bit tougher. It was very exciting throughout, especially so during the night of the preliminaries and our dress rehearsal for the final night. After getting our hair and make-up done, doing the wardrobe changes so quickly added some extra tension and excitement for us all. Overall, it was a really wonderful time, where a lot of new friendships were made, a lot of lessons were learned, and it was a time I would never trade for anything!

JS: Fast forward to the final night for us. When the top ten was announced, you were announced last! Drama, drama, drama! Was there anyone who was not picked for the ten that you would have included?

LC: Well, I think the judges made great choices. Just like everyone else, I had a predisposition on who would be in the top ten, based on seeing everyone at rehearsals and throughout the week, and on how everyone conducted themselves, and I feel the judges did a great job. There were far more amazing girls than there were spots in the top ten.

JS: And then, oh my God, they announced the top five, and you were called last AGAIN! What was going through your head?

LC: When I was announced as one of the five finalists, I have to be honest: my palms were sweating, and I was trying to seek out the faces of my family in the audience! It was so nerve-wracking for me waiting for the announcement. The host was saying, “Ladies and gentlemen, here are your top five finalists… number one…two…three…four…,” and I was standing there thinking, “It’s now or never! If my name is called, I know my life could change drastically, and if not, making the top ten is a great accomplishment.” When they announced my name, I was very relieved and excited, and a flood of emotions came over me.

JS: And then you won.

LC: Yes! But before that, I had even more waiting to do! Since they had called me fifth, I had to wait at the sound booth while the other four finalists gave their answers to the final question. Even though it was just a few minutes at the sound booth, it definitely felt like an eternity. At the same time, it was so exciting, and it’s something I’ll never forget. It was a real test of upholding my nerves!

JS: So, is Tecumseh [Leanne’s hometown] going to name a street or a bridge or a stadium after you? Maybe a pharmacy?

LC: (laughs) Well, one day if I have my own pharmacy, I’d love to have my name attached to it! As far as the town goes, I don’t see anything that drastic happening! (laughs) But at the end of the summer, they did ask me to be the marshal of the town parade! I’m very lucky, because everyone at home is very proud, everyone from the girls down the street who I used to baby-sit, right up to the members of the Town Council.

JS: Give us the scoop on your national costume.

LC: Jimmy, you know it’s a secret…

JS: Oh, come on! Give us something!

LC: I don’t know, Jimmy…

JS: Are you going as a donut?
LC: No, though that would definitely something that’s truly Canadian! (laughs) Okay, without giving too much away, because I want everyone to tune in to the show and see it for the first time, I can tell you the costume will resemble a prominent member of Canada’s wildlife.

JS: For the love of God, please tell us it’s not a beaver.

LC: It’s not, I promise! It will be a very feminine costume that will hopefully display our national colours in a very tactful yet exciting way.

JS: I know you’ve been a very busy lady in the last few months. We’ve been reading about your beauty boot camp [ed note: I said “booty beaut camp” instead at first; don’t try that at home]. Give us some highlights of your preparation.

LC: I definitely want to bring Canada into the forefront this year. To help me achieve this goal, I’ve been working with a team of people whose assistance I value so much. These professionals include hairstylists and make-up artists, fashion designers, along with receiving help with my runway and modeling skills. I’ve also been working with an acting teacher, who is helping me with voice exercises and different breathing techniques, which will help me handle the pressure of competition and with receiving the media in Panama. I’m so fortunate to be working with so many amazing people. And I have to mention this one gentleman who is my interview coach, who has been really instrumental in helping me pummel the competition in the interviews…

JS: I’m not including that. Next question!
LC: Okay, he’ll remain nameless.

JS: Enough of that, let’s play twenty questions.

LC: Let’s go!
JS: A movie.

LC: The Lion King.
JS: A television show.

LC: Friends.

JS: A book.

LC: The Jester by James Patterson.

JS: A type of music.
LC: Hip hop.
JS: A role model.

LC: My grandmother.

JS: A hero.

LC: My mother.

JS: A food.

LC: Vegetarian lasagna…mmm!
JS: A hobby.

LC: Going for long walks, no matter what the temperature is outside.

JS: An achievement.

LC: Earning two university degrees, and being four months away from my doctorate.

JS: A strength.

LC: Compassion.

JS: A dream.

LC: Motherhood.

JS: A goal.

LC: To be a health professional.

JS: A vice.

LC: Big blue eyes!
JS: A value.

LC: Sincerity.
JS: A wish.

LC: Happiness throughout my life.

JS: A way to relax.

LC: Napping by the fireplace.

JS: An inspiring Canadian.

LC: Adrienne Clarkson.

JS: A truly Canadian thing.

LC: Hockey Night in Canada.

JS: A quote.

LC: “Honesty is the best policy.”
JS: A word.
LC: Driven.

JS: Tell us why you picked your mom as your hero.

LC: I picked her because she is such a kind-hearted, compassionate, loving woman, who always put her family and her children first, yet managed a successful teaching career at the same time, where she was always the highlight of her students’ day. She has taught my brothers and I the values we live by everyday. She’s definitely a hero to me.

JS: You come from a great big cuddly-bear sort of family: three kids, two working parents, all very loving. Do you see yourself as a typical Canadian family?

LC: We’re very fortunate to live in Canada where there are all kinds of different families, but the one thing I would say that does make us typical is the strong sense of family values we hold. We’re part of the most multicultural country in the world, but family values really go across all backgrounds and social classes, and because I know we hold these values dear, as do the multiple kinds of families across the country, I would say we form a typical Canadian family.

JS: Who will be the first person you attack with a giant hug if you’re crowned Miss Universe?

LC: I’m positive that if they happen to announce my name as the new Miss Universe, my family will run down from their seats and give the judges a huge group hug! Whoever runs up on stage first, I’ll pummel them! I can’t wait to see what happens, and I’m looking forward to seeing the beauty of Panama first hand!

JS: Would you ever lend your mom the crown to wear to work?

LC: Absolutely!
JS: What about your brothers?
LC: I’m not sure they would wear the crown even if I offered it to them! (laughs)
JS: Where is first on your itinerary if you win the crown?

LC: Egypt, without a doubt. Ancient history is so exciting and exotic for me, and I would love to see the pyramids and the deserts with my own two eyes. To experience that history in person would be unforgettable.

JS: You’ve done a pretty extensive amount of traveling since you won the crown, but a highlight was certainly your last trip home a few weeks ago; tell us about it.
LC: My last trip home was for Easter weekend, and I knew going home that it would be the last time I would be with my entire family before heading down to Panama City. I knew it would be an exciting time, and it definitely was just that: an action-packed weekend full of packing and final preparation, but I wanted to make sure I said goodbye to everyone, because who knows what will happen in Panama! (laughs) There’s nothing like a home-cooked meal, especially Easter dinner!

JS: How does Leanne Cecile have fun?

LC: One of the ways I have fun is simply spending time with my family and friends. Admittedly, I also love to go out to clubs and have lots of fun with my friends on the weekend, but it’s not a huge part of my personality. Time at home is definitely the most fun for me.

JS: Now for the big one: why should you be chosen as Miss Universe? If there are any judges out there reading this, PICK THIS GIRL! But first, she has to convince you…
LC: I think I would make an excellent Miss Universe, simply because I’m aware of the facts that Miss Universe personifies, right down to the commitment shown for the research and development work that is done with HIV/AIDS and other vitally important local, national and international organizations. I’ve been told I have a great faculty for meeting people from all walks of life, from children to political leaders, and by using these strengths, I really feel I can help the Miss Universe Organization get the message out to young women across the world that a woman of substance is someone who wears the Miss Universe crown. I’m ready for the job: I have the goal in mind, the maturity and responsibility to carry out the task, and the drive to be the best Miss Universe in history!

JS: Thank you, darling, for a great interview. And now, it’s back to work for us…
LC: You never let me off easily, do you? (laughs)

Back to page one of Jimmy's Pageant Page