[AS PUBLISHED IN MALAY MAIL]
OLA SOFIA
By Jordan Barnes
FOR cameras and catwalks it's all vogue strike-a-pose, crowning glory.
Away from the pageant spotlight it's a humble life for "simple" Chilean beauty queen Sofia Del Rocio Saavedra Walderrama, 25.
Her name rolls of the tongue like the strum of a flamenco guitar in a Spanish telenovela.
"I cannot be a diva. When I'm not being a queen I'm natural. No heels, no makeup," she said.
The reigning Miss Tourism Queen of the Year international 2016 made her first visit to Malaysia this week.
She was invited as a guest to attend last night's Miss Chinese World beauty pageant at One World Hotel, Petaling Jaya.
When the tiara is of Sofia plans to become a lawyer one day.
She suggested she may already be through with pageants before it becomes "like a job" and plans to give up modelling around 30.
It was through modelling she paid her way through law studies at University of Valparaiso.
The brunette landed a host of gigs as well as a brief stint as a TV presenter en route to graduation.
Sofia explained she hailed from a poor family in the coastal city of Vina Del Mar, Santiago.
"It was only for money but learned to love it," the beauty retorted in thick Spanish accent.
Soon she made an impact on pageant stages winning Miss Universe Chile best popularity category in 2011.
She was twice runner-up in 2015 both at Miss World Chile and Miss Chile Reina
Herley
Her to success?
"On stage I have confidence and personality. That makes me shine.
"When you are a beauty queen you have to be a complete woman; fight with yourself to be the best, stay pretty, focus, answer smartly, practice, be punctual and be professional."
Sofia has the vocal pomp of Shakira and replicates a tremendous imitation of the Colombian Hips Don't Lie singer, impressing this writer with a powerful rendition of Waka Waka during our candid conversation.
The multi-talented model also plans to learn Chinese along with travelling endeavours as part of her responsibility with the Tourism Queen of the Year International crown.
She is an ambassador for Tourism Vina Del Mar, Valparaiso and Santiago and wants to tell the world about "most beautiful country in South America".
"I want to travel the world promoting my country and the places I've been, I have a lot of stories in my bag," she said.
"When my crowning is over I'll still be travelling.
"Spending money to travel makes you richer with experience. Life is too short."
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