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JPP Spotlight
NEELAM VERMA
Miss Canadian Universe 2002
This interview was conducted on March 20, 2002 in Toronto. All photos are courtesy of my good friend Bobby Ackbarali! Take a look and see just who this amazing young woman is, and how she is getting ready for the Miss Universe Pageant...
Meet the remarkable Neelam Verma:
Age: 26
Zodiac Sign: Sagittarius
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario
Languages: English, Hindi, Punjabi, conversational Arabic and French, currently studying Spanish.
Education: Graduate of York University's Schulich School of Business with an Honours degree in Business Administration. Recipient of many scholastic and co-curricular awards.
Words to Live By: "Don't float through life - make waves."
JIMMY STEELE: Your road to the crown has been a very positive one. You entered and won Miss India Canada, your very first pageant, then Miss Canadian Universe, and took top honours there as well. Tell us about competing in the Miss Canadian Universe Pageant: even if you hadn't won, would it still have been a worthwhile experience?
NEELAM VERMA: Yes, it was definitely worthwhile all the way. I met women from all across Canada, which was the best part, and these women came from such diverse backgrounds. I had friends there who were soon-to-be doctors and lawyers, students, investment bankers; just seeing that in itself, finding out why these other women were interested in competing was meaningful. It was also a great personal experience, because not only did it focus on how to present yourself onstage, but we had different training elements. There was a tae kwon do fitness element, where we learned self-defense, and a business and interview skills workshop, where we all took home some extremely effective and valuable information. So, I would definitely do it all over again, even if I had not won.
JS: It's been twenty years since the first and only Canadian won the Miss Universe title. Does Karen Baldwin's victory inspire you in any way?
NV: Of course! She really is an inspiration to me as I work towards my goal. This is our time again: look at how well Canada did at the Olympics! I feel confident that I can bring home this gold twenty years after Karen Baldwin did.
JS: Tell me three people who are an inspiration in your life.
NV: My father, my coach Bobby, and my baby nephew Shawn. My father because, especially at this point in time, taught me lessons about dreaming great dreams, being courageous, and persevering. He had a small dream when he lived in a small village in India, and he was able to materialize that dream and bring my family to Canada, and ultimately that gave me this opportunity; that definitely strikes home with me now as I prepare for Miss Universe. My coach Bobby has really inspired me, and has helped bring out the best of myself, helping me to shine. He's reminded me that despite the need for a strict regimen, always be true to yourself. That, ultimately, is the most important thing. My nephew Shawn is my daily inspiration because I look at him and I realize that children really know how to live in the moment, be truly content and be satisfied with everything. Sometimes we all don't feel like we're grounded, and Shawn reminds me to keep my feet on the ground.
JS: You have a very impressive résumé. Tell us about some of your work experience.
NV: I have a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and I've worked in a lot of interesting jobs. I started off in Accounting as a Chartered Accountancy intern, then moved into marketing so I could explore my creative side. I worked with a major corporation managing a large cosmetics brand, and I had a great time doing that, especially developing the specific advertising campaigns. Now, I'm into broadcasting.
JS: Yes! Give us the dish on your television show.
NV: Working in TV has been an awesome experience. I host a weekly South Asian program called “Bollywood Blvd.”, which is a news and entertainment show. I explore all the latest movies and juicy gossip from the Bollywood world, and I love it.
JS: At this point, everyone knows that you’re 5’10”, 26, and other somewhat trivial information. Tell us something about yourself that we don’t know.
NV: Beyond the exterior that you see, there’s a very deep, philosophical person. I’m very much into spirituality, and a lot of my travels were a result of my desire to learn about my spiritual self. That’s definitely something not many people know.
JS: You've traveled to twenty-five countries already. What is one place you're dying to visit?
NV: The moon! I've seen a lot of different cultures all around the globe, and I've absolutely loved it. I haven't seen the whole world yet, but one place I'd really like to see is the moon. It's something very different, a new experience, and you never know what kinds of beings I could meet there!
JS: I know there's going to be a fairly substantial Canadian delegation in Puerto Rico this year - well, bigger than most years, anyway! Who's going to be there supporting you?
NV: There's going to be a lot of Canadians this year for sure; I think we'll need our own security team! My parents will definitely be there, as well as my sister. My best friend is flying in from the United Arab Emirates, and I can't wait to see her. I also have several friends flying in from the USA, about six more friends from my hometown of Toronto, and most of the group I've dubbed "Team Canada", who have been working with me extensively since September with my preparation. It will be great to look out into the audience and see the red maple leaf waving proudly!
JS: When May 29th rolls around, and if you hear your name in the top ten, how do you think you will react?
NV: I would be ecstatic! I won't be able to hide my emotions, that's for sure: people often say I wear my emotions on my sleeve. I bet my eyeballs would pop out of my head a bit, too!
JS: Tell us a secret -- what's your national costume going to be? Are we going to see a Mountie AGAIN?
NV: (laughs) This year, the costume will be representing something truly Canadian. I'll give you a little clue: it has to do with nature, but it also represents something more profound than just what's on the surface. It's also going to be a bit sexy and sultry, so look out for it in the National Costume show!
JS: Best of luck, Neelam!
NV: Thanks, Jimmy. I know I can do it for Canada.
Thanks to Bobby Ackbarali for the spectacular photos. Additional thanks to Neelam Verma -- you go, girl! Watch for more on Neelam in the coming weeks on the Pageant News Bureau and Global Beauties!