Alexis ParkerThe Balearic Islands representative is competed against women from more than 100 countries for the world crown after winning the national competition last September.
She was barely 12 years old when she left home and became dependent on the state. She revealed this last September on the set of Y Ahora Sonsoles, where she explained that she spent time in as many as three different foster homes before reaching the age of majority. The reason was an unbearable situation at home, especially caused by her mother, who was “very violent” toward her. It wasn’t easy.
“Being a parent doesn’t give you the right to everything. I had problems with my mother because there was a lot of violence , and although it was a difficult decision because sometimes we think family comes first, when they don’t do you any good, you have to step away,” she expressed on the Antena 3 show. Even then, she had a goal in mind. She wanted to be Miss Universe Spain. And two months ago, she achieved it: in addition to being a Commerce and Marketing student, she is the most beautiful woman in the country.
“There will always be people who will criticize you.”
On November 16th, she will competed against more than 100 other women for the world crown. She has previously appeared in several other formats, revealing small fragments of her story; she has also responded to criticism from a small segment of the population who did not approve of her being the national representative. She explained this on Espejo Público, where, when questioned by Susanna Griso, she expressed her indignation and, at the same time, downplayed the existence of comments that, she believes, exist independently of the winner’s appearance. They simply exist.
“There will always be people who will criticize you for whatever reason, whether I had won or someone else had. We already had the example last year, when Athena won , who was also black and received a lot of criticism ,” she asserted, later speaking about her particular situation: “In my case, the tattoos have also added to it. I wouldn’t say anything to those people because, in the end, it’s just ignorance.”
After these first sentences, she delved into the contradiction of delegitimizing a black person or someone with darker skin than the average Spaniard. ” I also fail to understand what the difference is, because I’m sure that many people who tell me I can’t represent Spain because my parents are from outside (the Dominican Republic) wouldn’t criticize me if I were blonde and white because my parents are from Norway ,” she said, focusing on “understanding that there will always be people who criticize you, who choose to hate me and not give it too much importance.” She also emphasized that “not everything has been bad , but it’s true that the criticism is there.”
On current issues
Another topic she addressed in the morning show was the controversy surrounding Miss Catalonia’s response in the national pageant, who confused ‘birth rate’ with ‘notable status’ . ” These types of questions aren’t general knowledge questions ; they’re just to find out our opinion, they’re to see how we think, that’s why they’re called ‘what do you think about…? What do you think about…?’ They’re to see how we think, and the truth is, we’re very nervous at that moment, which is why these types of situations occur,” she revealed.
In fact, she clarified that the organization even prepares contestants “with public speaking classes that not only teach speaking skills but also social issues, which are generally the ones that usually get them in.” Jiménez agrees. “Ultimately, what these competitions are looking for is overall beauty, not just physical beauty ,” she concluded.
MORENA
Diario AS
Jessica Schiffer
Alessandra Signorelli
Amandine Lhoste
Eva Thomas