Haitian Beatz

University sophomore cheerleader Anastasia Pierre of Plantation Florida, became the first black person to have won the Miss Florida USA title.  Pierre, who is Haitian-American, beats 48 contestants

from across the state during the final competition.  The young women are judged in personality, swimsuit and evening gown categories. A native of South Florida with Haitian roots, Anastasia is a graduate of the Sagemont School in Weston, FL and currently attends Nova Southeastern University. Anastagia entered her very first pageant at age 5 and fell in love with the industry. In 2004, she vied for and won the coveted title of Miss Florida Teen USA. On July 12th 2008, Anastasia captured the title of Miss Florida USA making her the first African American woman to represent Florida at both Miss Teen USA and Miss USA. She has been featured in publications such as Ebony and Pageantry Magazine. Anastagia is a broadcast journalism major with a minor in psychology, and plans to host her own show on the Travel Channel in the near future. She is a member of the Perpetual Motion Dance Company, classically trained in pointe, ballet, tap jazz, lyrical, and modern dance, as well as an accomplished pianist. She is a national spokesperson and volunteer for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, The Boys and Girls Club, and the Best Buddies Organization. Anastagia enjoys spending time with friends and family, as well as being a beauty pageant consultant for contestants in and around the state of Florida.HaitianBeatz.com had the opportunity to have a one-and-one interview with Pierre to ask her a few questions about the experience.

HB- So how did it feel to be the new Miss Florida?

AP-Well I was crowned in July of 2008 and recently passed on my titled to the 2010 titleholder this past July. It was the most thrilling, exhausting, and rewarding year of my life and I’m so thankful and honored to have to been awarded such an incredible opportunity. The people I’ve met and the things I’ve learned throughout my year as Miss Florida USA have really made an impact on my life.

HB- How did you get started in this pageant?

AP- My mother started entering me in pageants when I was a little girl. I was about 5 years old when I competed in my first pageant and I fell in love with it. In 2004 I won Miss Florida Teen USA and represented this state at Miss Teen USA. It was an amazing experience! I knew I’d try for Miss Florida USA so that I could compete at Miss USA and potentially compete at Miss Universe! I competed and won on my first time vying for the title!

HB- Where were you born?

AP- I was born in Miami, FL

HB- Are both of your parents Haitians?

AP- My mother is Haitian Bahamian and my father is Haitain Dominican. So technically, Yes

HB- What are some of the highlights of running for Miss Florida 2009?

AP- I would say the highlights of competing for Miss Florida USA are the friends you make while you’re there. Most people think all pageant girls are mean to each other, but that’s not true at all. We all have a lot in common so we become good friends during the competition. Another highlight is the fact that it’s a live television show that is shown statewide! So the entire state got to see me win!

HB- What are you looking forward to in the next year?

AP-There’s so much to look forward to, so many doors opened for me during my reign. I’m definitely looking forward to going back to school to finish up my degree - I’m a broadcast journalism major at Nova Southeastern University. I’m looking forward to starting my modeling and acting career – I signed with Front Model Management in South Beach. So you’ll be seeing me on the runways as well as the big screen one day soon!

HB- What has been your proudest moment in life as Miss Florida USA?

AP- My proudest moment, wow that’s a tough one. I would have to say the proudest moment was when I found out that I was not only the youngest contestant to ever be crowned Miss Florida USA, but also the first Haitian American to represent Florida at Miss USA! To me that’s a pretty big accomplishment.Crowning Video of Miss Florida USA

HB- You know, there are a lot of young Haitian American women that will look up to you now. Is there something you would want to tell them on this interview? Any words of inspiration coming from your reign?

AP-Always reach for your dreams. No goal is too big to accomplish if you just put your mind to it. Work hard and believe in yourself. If I can do it, so can you! And one of the most important things to remember is to never lose sight of who you are or where you came from.

HB- What has been the most significant accomplishment in your life? Why?

AP- I was awarded a $40,000 college scholarship to Nova Southeastern University. If I had not been awarded the scholarship, I would be drowning in student loans like so many other people my age. I am very grateful.

HB- Do you consider yourself to be a giver or a taker? Why?

AP- I think I’m a little bit of both. I think I’m a taker because I always take what people have to say about me to heart, and it ultimately shapes the person I am today. But I’m also a giver because I am very active in my community. I serve as a spokesperson for Susan G Komen for the Cure, The Best Buddies Organization, Embrace Girls Foundation and so many others.

HB- Any other small incident during the peagant that we can laugh or have fun with?

AP- Well the Miss USA system is one pageant that really promotes independence in their delegates. There are no hair stylists or make-up artists allowed at any time during the competition.

HB- Can you share any anecdotes, did you ever feel as the front-runner, where you prepared to loose as well…?

AP- Going into any competition you should always know that there is a chance that you won’t win. I knew I was ready and capable of holding the title, but I had no idea that I would win, especially because I was the youngest contestant and it was my first time competing outside of a “teen” pageant.

HB- What was the most difficult moment you experienced during the course of the Miss USA Pageant?

AP- We sometimes rehearsed until 3:30am and had to be at breakfast at 7am!! It was 3 weeks of pure adrenaline. But besides being pressured to be flawlessly beautiful and never getting enough sleep, the most difficult time came right before the preliminary competition. I took my gown to the MUO staff for a wardrobe check and they told me that I couldn’t wear the gown I had chosen to wear because of various different reasons. Long story short, they fixed it to what they would consider acceptable and completely changed my dress! I was very unhappy, but I had to suck it up and wear the gown anyway. The evening gown competition is not about the dress, it’s about the woman in the dress.

HB- Anyone you would like to thank for bringing you this far in life?

AP- I owe 100% of all of my accomplishments to my mother. She has always encouraged and pushed me to be the best, no matter how much I pushed back. She has been there through it all; every dance recital, every pageant, every appearance, every doctors appointment. She is not only my manager, but also my best friend and I know I wouldn’t be the person I am today had I not had her guidance.