Humans of the Islands - Deirdre Corbett
Deirdre Victoria Felicity Corbett
Model/Student
Tongan/Kiwi
filed by Aaron Taouma
Sixteen-year-old Tongan-Kiwi (actually dad's an Aussie) Deirdre Corbett never thought she would be part of a beauty pageant let alone be representing Tonga at an international event in Mongolia.
But that’s exactly where she is heading for two weeks at the end of September to take on a field of 60 participants from around the world at the Miss Face of Beauty International 2016. And, she will be going alone.
“This will be my second time going overseas. I was about 2 when I went to Australia but I don’t remember anything. I'll also be going alone as in my family won't be coming to Mongolia with me which will be scary but exciting at the same time"
Deirdre was always into sports, playing volleyball, netball and soccer but when her mum pointed out the opportunity to enter the Miss Teen NZ beauty pageant earlier in the year, she went for it.
“Yeah, I used to play sports everyday. But now, this has changed my view and is a different kind of challenge” says the self-professed tom-boy.
This was her entry into the beauty pageant game where she came 4th overall, won the swimwear and best interview sections as well as taking out the ‘most potential’ title. Deirdre describes it as bringing her out of her shell.
“I never really thought about doing beauty pageants. Most people saw me as the shy type of girl, I would always be that shy girl especially when it came to speeches or if we had to take turns to share ideas in class, I would never put my hand up to answer” She clarifies this with a laugh “But once I get comfortable around others I'm really goofy, outgoing, quite loud and annoying”
Mum, Ofa Corbett, is overjoyed with how she’s done and says she is so proud of her representing Tonga on an international level like this. She has even come on-board as Deidre’s manager and loving the opportunity to work with her daughter.
“I thought it would be a good idea for her to do this to help with her confidence and now she is representing Tonga, she just makes us so proud” says mum.
The Marcellin College teenager is relishing the opportunity and has received much support from her friends and family.
“It’s been really good. The amount of love I get from everyone on Facebook and my friends and family has just been great.”
Deirdre agrees with mum that it is all about confidence and being yourself.
“That’s the reason I did it. When I first thought about it, I thought it was all about being pretty and wearing good make-up. But, actually doing it, it’s really about being yourself. I mean, you don’t have to be skinny, you don’t have to be like a top model. You can just go for it and have fun. That’s what I did.”
But, as to Deirdre’s long term prospects, she still has an open mind but definitely likes the idea of travel.
“When I was younger I could never make my mind up! I'd want to become a cook, police officer, nurse, personal trainer, flight attendant and so much more. my mother used to work at the airport. When I was younger I'd sometimes wait for her shift to finish. I'd ask her so many questions about the flight attendants and what they do. She would tell me about how they would go to different exciting places, experience new things and meet new people everyday. I found that exciting, I've always wanted to travel and meet new people from around the world
"Well Deirdre, it looks like you’ve started your World travels in style. Not many people from this part of the globe could say they’ve been to Mongolia, not to mention being part of an international beauty pageant in Mongolia. All the best Deirdre!
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