It is not unusual for a beauty queen
to speak up against unacceptable conditions in a pageant in which she is competing. How many times have we heard of pageant
contestants getting sick from food poisoning, complaining about bad facilities, or being treated rudely by the pageant organizers?
And how many times have we heard stories of pageant winners not getting their prize money and other prizes that had been promised to
them by the organizers or sponsors? Recently, Amy Lynne Holbrook gained worldwide attention for speaking ill about the
Miss Tourism Queen International 2008 in China. Amy represented the United States. Amy had been chronicling her misadventures in her
blog, and when MTQI organizers learned about it, they demanded that she
take it down, to which she refused. Despite MTQI's fervent attempts to convince Amy to stay, she decided to withdraw from the
pageant - much to the dismay of her fellow contestants and supporters. Critical Beauty has found a kindred spirit in Amy -
someone who loves pageants, who promotes vegetarianism, and who supports animal rights. CB is honored to interview this
beautiful, articulate and intelligent young woman.
Tell us a little about yourself.
Im a 23 year-old student, managing a busy international salon in West Hollywood.
I have two Italian Greyhounds named Delphina and Tashi. Abundant joy comes in small packages!
When I am not herding Italian Greyhounds, you will find me studying or working my free time away on my Mac
thats if Im not stuck in traffic.
I plan on transferring to UCLA in 2009 and I am currently preparing for a Liberal Arts major. I am dedicating my career to the cause of Animal Welfare.
I love watching documentaries, reading, and writing. I consider myself a huge computer geek!
My immediate family lives in San Diego. My mother has been a 2nd grade teacher for 37 years. She taught me how to read by singing hymns and circling words in the church bulletin.
One of my fondest memories with her was our visit to Monet's Garden in Giverny, France and Murren, Switzerland.
My father is a defense attorney by profession and a political folk singer. He is the ultimate Renaissance man on
a Kawasaki 1000 (police motorcycle circa 1996).
My sister is a beautiful peacemaker who keeps my family sane. She is an
excellent cook and is constantly fascinated by the weather. She has a cat named Emma who has six toes.
My best friend, Julian, has deep compassion for those who are in need financially or spiritually. He is currently
studying International Relations, Urban Planning, & Marketing at USC and is a faithful student of Dzogchen Buddhism.
He should own stock in Barnes & Noble, his personal heaven:-)
How did you get interested in pageants?
I have watched the Miss USA and Miss Universe competition since I can remember.
I was a tall and gangly little girl and beauty queens were so glamorous to me. My good friend since high school was
the outgoing Miss San Diego Teen USA when we were 15 years old and she encouraged me to enter when I showed interest in
the pageant. My parents thought I was crazy but they wholly supported my ambition.
Name three things you value in life and why?
Honesty. Loyalty. My experiences.
Which person or persons do you admire and why?
Princess Diana. She was the first high profile face to show the world that AIDS could
not be caught through skin contact when she was photographed touching a man who was dying of AIDS. Also, the work she
did to gain public awareness for the atrocities caused by land mines was unmatched.
Define happiness. What makes you happy?
Chocolate. Finishing a great novel. Failed parking meters.
Are you an optimist or a pessimist?
Optimist.
Do you believe in God or the afterlife?
I was raised with a Christian mom and a Jewish dad that I believe led me to be
very exploratory with my spirituality. I also believe that religions separate people. I am currently studying Buddhism
and I believe in the basics of Good and Evil. I believe in reincarnation.
If you were to describe what the purpose of life is to a child, what would you tell him or her?
This question reminds me of the Q & A at Miss Earth 2007 which was
How will you describe the beauty of Mother Nature to a blind child?" Nothing further.
AMY'S FAVORITES
Perfume Chanel Mademoiselle
Flower Night Blooming Jasmine
Color Black
Cuisine Afghani, Mediterranean
Music Justice, David Bowie, Prince, Moby
Book "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" by Lewis Carroll.
Also
"Slaughterhouse" by Gail Eisnitz, a must-read
about the USDA and the horrors of animal cruelty
Author - Lewis Carroll
Designer Karl Lagerfeld
Quote We read the world wrong and say that it deceives us. - Rabindranath Tagore
Philosopher Mahatma Gandhi
Next page |
On MTQI 2008, Miss International 2004
APRIL 2008
PHOTO CREDIT: Amy Lynne Holbrook
