JPP Spotlight

NEELAM VERMA
Miss Canadian Universe 2002
Post-Miss Universe Interview!

Neelam Verma made all of Canada extremely proud on May 29, 2002 when she placed as a semi-finalist in this year’s Miss Universe Pageant in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Join JPP as we chat with Neelam for her take on her three weeks in the Caribbean, both on- and off-stage! This interview was conducted on July 8, 2002 in Toronto.

JIMMY STEELE: My baby!
NEELAM VERMA: (laughs) Thanks, Jimmy!

JS: So tell us, what did you like best about Puerto Rico?
NV: The people! They were amazing! Puerto Ricans are so passionate, they love music and dance, and no matter where you would go, they would greet you with open arms. It was just awesome.

JS: True or false - the vast majority of the contestants were pretty much ignored by the Puerto Rican press.
NV: Mostly true. I was surprised, to be honest, because, as you said, the local media really did not cover a lot of the delegates: they did focus on the “big banner” names and primarily the Latin contestants. By contrast, I was pleasantly surprised when I watched the actual competition (on video), because there was a lot of coverage from a larger cross-section of delegates, so I think the Miss Universe Organization, who are in charge of the production, are very unbiased, whereas the local print media were a bit more Latin-centric. But, in perspective, we were in Latin America, and of course the media were going to support their “local girls”, so that’s really what was happening. I was really happy to see myself being a part of some of the interviews on the telecast; they will be memories I can cherish forever.

JS: Miss Northern Marianas was your roommate, of course, and you were obviously close with her. Who were some of your closest friends at the pageant?
NV: Miss India, Miss Namibia and Miss South Africa. We really got along well and became amazing friends. I did have the chance to meet just about all of the other girls and spend lots of time with them, but Neha, Michelle, Vanessa and I were a really close-knit group.

JS: And you were invited to Miss Namibia’s wedding next year, right?
NV: Absolutely! So I hope to be going to Africa next year!

JS: You obviously had a busy and hectic three weeks in the isla del encanto. What where some of the activities that stand out the most as a highlight for you?
NV: I enjoyed just about everything. The rehearsals with Scott Grossman were phenomenal: he would have us do these really interesting exercises that were a lot of fun. The girls always got pumped up and excited, and were jumping all over the place, so we could get our positive energy going very early in the morning. Besides that, the fashion show we did just after our first week really stands out for me. I had such a great time there. It was so much fun because all of our banners were off, and we were just being ourselves. The highlight of everything was definitely the preliminary show: I really felt I was at my best that night, and it had a lot do with my family and friends being there. When I walked on stage, everyone I knew was sitting in the first few rows, waving giant Canadian flags in the air, and I could see their faces! It made a big impact on me and brought a lot more joy to the moment. And backstage, a few delegates actually came up to me and said, “Neelam, how many people did you bring tonight?” (laughs)

“Neelam Verma, CANADA!” Introduction at the Presentation Show on May 24.

JS: Give us a little glimpse into the inner workings of the pageant by telling us how much time you got to spend with the folks who flew down to see you.
NV: Very little time. All of us contestants realized early on that our time in Puerto Rico was a commodity in high demand, and with all of our days, afternoons and evenings planned, we did not have much time to spend with our family and friends, unfortunately. About every second evening, for half an hour, there was time slotted for us to visit with our families and friends.

JS: Give us your take on the top ten. Was anyone missing who you totally expected to be there?
NV: I was really expecting to see Puerto Rico in the top ten again this year. Also USA; Shauntay was a really great candidate and a very sweet woman.

JS: When you made top ten, what on earth was going through your head???
NV: First and foremost, I just felt like screaming, “OH MY GOD!” (laughs) Just before my name was announced, one of the cameramen who I’d become friends with looked at me and gave me the thumbs up! I was really surprised at that … and then my name was called! I was surprised and ecstatic. You can be at your absolute best on stage throughout the competition, but on that final night, you have no idea if you’re going to be part of that top ten. It was such a pleasant surprise and an overwhelming sense of joy. I seriously could also pick out the cheers from my family and friends in the audience as well. I know I heard you on several occasions!

JS: (laughs) Yeah, I probably pissed off a few people in balcony that final night. Tell us about the final competition.
NV: I kid you not, it felt like it was over in about five minutes. The competition and the evening just ended so quickly.

JS: You told me earlier that two delegates in particular stood out for their kindness towards you. Who were they?
NV: They were Miss Netherlands and Miss Cyprus, both of whom are wonderful, wonderful people. Kim, Miss Netherlands, came up to me after I made the top ten and said, “I want you to go for this; this title is yours,” and she kept giving me hugs. It was so touching that Kim went out of her way to tell me that. Miss Cyprus, Demetra, was also really special to me. The day of the pageant, she came up to me and said “Neelam, I had a dream where we both made the top ten.” She and I had spent a lot of time together, so that was really nice. These two women in particular really stand out for me.

JS: Neelam, you rock. You did such an amazing job representing yourself and your country. Way to go!
NV: Thanks, Jimmy! I’d like to how grateful I am to all of Team Canada for the time, energy and support that you all have invested in me. Sincere thanks also have to go to my entire family and my friends for being there for me throughout this amazing experience. THANK YOU!

You can read past interviews with Neelam on:
Jimmy’s Pageant Page (March 2002)
Global Beauties (April 2002)
and Pageant News Bureau (May 2002).