Interview With Dedria Brunett, Miss California International 2012

Hey everyone!

It had been a while that I wanted to interview her. Wonder why? Well, that’s because of one thing: I really never met a girl like her. I mean, I think you know that I go to some beauty contests, and I’m really into this stuff, but I NEVER EVER found someone that really wanted something else than just win, get crowned, wear the tiara and say yeeeeeeeeeah I’m the hottest chick!. Of course, there are some girls that have their projects, that kind of want to do something. But what else? They don’t really do anything. And Dedria is different. If you just read below you understand why.

Dedria lived for two years in a shelter for children when she was a kid, and when she found a new family, they put everything she had in a trash bag for her to take it to her new house. That’s where the idea of her organization, Luggage of Love came from: she didn’t want other kids to go through the same thing.

So, here is the interview:

Gossip Caah: How many pageants did you win?

Dedria: I have won 3 pageants - Miss Teen Gold Coast International 2009, Miss Teen California International 2010 and Miss California International 2012.

Gossip Caah:  Why did you decide to be a beauty queen, and when was it?

Dedria: As I grew older I got taller. I was not very coordinated to play sports but I could walk really good in 6 inch heels. So one day I was at a restaurant and saw a flyer for a community service pageant. Because I really like to give back to the community and I love to volunteer I entered the pageant. And that is where I won my first title. It was in 2008 and I was 15. Because of the pageant I have started my own non-profit 501(c)3 organization that helps children in foster and shelter care. You see I use to be homeless and I lived on my own for a while. I use to eat out of garbage cans and sleep outside at times. One day the police picked me up from school and took me to a shelter for children. When I went on foster home visits all of my belongings were but into trash bags and that made me very sad because I knew what went in trash bags....garbage! So I started "Luggage of Love" in June of 2008 and it provides children in foster and shelter care with a new piece of luggage to put their personal belongings in when they move from place to place.

Gossip Caah: Do you want to take a carrer on any other thing but modeling?

Dedria: I do model on the side but most of my time is spent going to college and working with Luggage of Love. I speak a lot to large groups of 450+ people and I get paid for that. I talk about my past and inspire others to believe in themselves and know that anything is possible as long as you believe.

Gossip Caah: What about America's Next Top Model?

Dedria: America's Next Top Model is one of my favorite shows. It has been around for a while. I use to be very interested in going on it but now that I have my own non-profit I like focusing on helping others in need.
Gossip Caah: If a girl that weren't really pretty wanted to be a contestant, what should she do to increase her chances of winning?

Dedria: Anyone and everyone should do a pageant. It does not matter what you look like. Pageants give you confidence and teach you to carry yourself well. They help with interviewing as well as poise. Looks are not everything, it is what is inside that counts. Just because a person does not win the crown does not mean they are not a winner. As long as you grow and learn from the experience than you have won!

Gossip Caah: What are the must-haves for beauty queens?

Dedria: Beauty queens must have poise and grace. Confidence is key!Gossip Caah: What the girls should and should not do?

Dedria: I think that a beauty queen should be nice and thoughtful and not full of herself. They should be kind, caring, compassionate.

Gossip Caah: How is it like in the school? I mean, do your friends bother you because of the contests, and because you're prettier than them or they just say you're pretty and amazing and lovely?

Dedria: I think that everyone is beautiful, and no one person defines beauty. My friends are all beautiful in fact everyone I meet is beautiful. Sure there are some girls who hate me before talking to me but I would like to think after we talk and they find out I am not a mean person at all, I am down to earth, and they like me.

Gossip Caah: Do you have any hobbie? Which one?

My hobby is reading, I am what you call a nerd. I love learning and school.Gossip Caah: Which is your favorite book, song and movie?

Dedria: My favorite book is "The Clan of the Cave Bear" series by Jean M. Aeul, my favorite song is "The Remedy" by Jason Mraz and my favorite movie is "Matilda".

I hope her tips help you girls, who want to be beauty queens, and I hope from now on you get inspired by her, because I bet you don’t really know a lot of people like her.

Also, I’d like to ask you one thing: Do you really need those three Louis Vuitton bags you got for Christmas? You know, there are kids carrying their belongings on trash bags, so what about donating something to Luggage of Love? It won’t make any difference for you, but for them it will. Click here to help!

If you want to see Dedria’s appearances, click here!

If you want to book her to your event, click here!

 

Xoxo, Gossip Caah :*