Mrs World 2021 – Meet Yolandra John Edwards, Mrs Trinidad & Tobago World 2021

Today, we continue to introduce you to the different candidates for Mrs World. After meeting Mrs Wales World, Mrs Uganda World and Mrs Taiwan World, Mrs Lebanon World, we go on the beautiful island of Trinidad and Tobag where we are welcomed by Yolandra John Edwards .

Inside Pageant – Hello Maureen. Thanks for your time. Can you introduce yourself please.

I am ambitious and driven. I thrive on challenge and constantly set goals for myself, so I have something to strive toward. “I’m a people-person. I love meeting new people and learning about their lives and their backgrounds. I can almost always find common ground with strangers, and I like making people feel comfortable in my presence. I am also adventurous, courageous, and VERY energetic.

Inside Pageant – What is your occupation ?

I am a flight attendant attached to our national carrier Caribbean Airlines Limited, Public Relations Officer, at Gayelle South Television Network an affliliate of Gayelle the Caribbean, co-host on “T with Lisa and Friends” and also host of my own programme called “Know your Country” with the station.

Inside Pageant – Tell me more about your family

My father, mother and brother are the roots of my existence and I love them very much. My mother is the sweetest, kindhearted, loving, and supportive person any child can ask for. Dad is the cornerstone of our family. He’s a hard-working man at 70 and I admire his determination to push forward for his family. He’s our inspiration and guide after God. My brother (Anthony) is an exemplary young man. He’s a dedicated father, son and brother he is one of the best friends I have and one of my protectors. My husband and kids are AMAZING. (Which I could have told you how we met, but that is a llloonngg story, lol). Long story short we met on Facebook and six months later we were engaged and one year later we were married. Nicholas (my husband) is affectionate, assertive, and adventurous. We both have kids outside of our marriage but consider them our kids. My daughter Alyssa, 11 is ambitious, creative, loving, and supportive so many other words to describe her little soul. She is currently the reigning Miss Princess to Queen Trinidad & Tobago 2019. My 3-year-old toddler is a feisty one (lol) he’s energetic, handsome, and talkative and my stepson Gabriel,11 (I consider him as my son) his love for animals and dinosaurs are truly amazing. My children are my rock. They are truly a gift (from God to me). A necessity. I have realized that LOVE is the basis for all grit and determination in the world.

Inside Pageant – What is your motto? 

Life it can leave you bitter, but you must believe that it gets better and remember that forgiveness does not make you weak, it sets you free.

Inside Pageant – Why is so important for you?

By holding on to the negativity in the past, it sometimes continues to follow you into the future, and you have a choice to make. Be bitter or let it go. We do not forgive for the person or people that has done us wrong; we forgive for ourselves. Forgiveness is for our own growth and happiness. It allows us to move on and live in the present. I have learnt to forgive and move on, but its also hard to forget the wrongdoings.

Inside Pageant – Which values do you inculcate to your family? 

RESPECT is one of the most important moral values that every family should possess. RESPONSIBILITY, VALUE to oneself and one another, because they help us to grow and develop, and most of all SPIRITUALITY trust and believe in the Lord our God and he will provide and protect us.

Inside Pageant – What is the best lesson you’ve learned that has shaped your life? 

Every disappointment is an appointment, because when one door closes another open. Never give up on your hopes and dreams. Be persistent. I am a determined woman who never gives up no matter how many times I my fall. And through hard work and determination I am the woman I am today.

Inside Pageant – In your spare time, what do you like to do?

I LOVE TO SLEEP (lol). But I also love socializing with friends and family, volunteer or just lying on the couch with my kids looking at Peppa pig or

Inside Pageant – What are you most proud of in your family?

Something that I will be always proud of my family is the kind of faith we have towards God. Despite of all the struggles we had especially during COVID-19, through God’s grace we survived everything.

Inside Pageant – What is your secret to managing at the same time your crown duties, your job and your family?

If tell you then it won’t be a secret. (lol)

Inside Pageant – What is the most difficult: mother or beauty queen? 

Mothers play a critical role in the family, which is a powerful force for social cohesion and integration.  A mother-child relationship is vital for the healthy development of children. Sheteaches her child everything that she knows from talking, walking to living a fulfilling life. She is also the one who disciplines and educates a child for a better living. … Mother also goes through the process of learning again to help her child gain better knowledge of themselves and todays society. A mother’s job is for LIFE, therefore for me a mother’s role is more difficult.

Inside Pageant – What do you see in your mirror?

There are days, when I look into the mirror and think and say “how ugly am I”, “Look at that nose, eyes, lips and hyperpigmentation… maybe I should try to look better. And some days I see a woman that is beyond blessed to be alive and content. I see a woman with big dreams that will be accomplished soon. Nevertheless, I do still look in the mirror and say how beautiful I am.

Inside Pageant – You will compete at Mrs. World, a beauty contest for married women. What does beauty mean to you?

Beauty is the opposite of perfection. It’s about confidence. Character and charisma.

Inside Pageant – What does pageantry mean to you?

Pageantry to me allows an individual to gain confidence and raise their self-esteem. The ability to find one’s personality, their strength, and weaknesses. Its also an avenue to help promote one’s country and its people.

Inside Pageant –  Some people think beauty pageants are shallow parades of beauty. What do you have to say to them? 

Beauty pageants aren’t shallow parades of beauty. I believe there’s a place in beauty pageants to be an empowering place for women, and stop focusing on it as being negative, when in fact it can be a steppingstone to something else. The camaraderie and friendship that can exist even when women are competing against each other is unparallel to none.

Inside Pageant – Do you think that our culture is too preoccupied with beauty? If so, how could we change it?

A beauty queen can promote not only herself but the beauty of her country and its people. She now becomes the brand ambassador, which will assist with boosting the tourism level and encouraging a steady flow of income as a tourist destination.

Inside Pageant – What do you say to people who say that a mother has nothing to do in a beauty pageant?

Trinidad and Tobago are evolving like the rest of the world, therefore looks are the new feminine (lol), especially in women who are in addition expected to be smart and successful. Beauty is both inner and outer. Our culture is so diverse with different ethnicities where beauty naturally comes in all shape, size, and race.

You will soon find the full interview in the Inside Pageant’s issue dedicated to Mrs World.