Andrea Meza

How did you get into the pageant world?
It started 5 years ago in college when a friend forced me to join. He said, “I signed you up and you can’t say no.” It was sweet, but I was so afraid. I didn’t know anything about competitions. I won, then went to the next one. I didn’t win, but had such a good experience that I wanted to get into something bigger. Also, my inspiration was Ximena Navarrete. She won Miss Universe in 2010; I never thought a Mexican woman could go that far, and her winning was a reminder that we can all do it.

You’ve mentioned that pageants helped you overcome social anxiety. What advice would you give other women facing the same challenges?
I would tell them to analyze themselves. I know it’s uncomfortable—when I did it, it was very hard. I asked myself questions like, “What do I like to do with my life? What am I good at? What are my weaknesses and can I work on them?” Obviously, I wanted to run in the opposite direction, but my advice is don’t run away. Face your fears. I know it’s going to be difficult, but once you do it, you’ll realize it’s not as hard as you think. And believe me, you’ll get this adrenaline that’s going to make you want more.

How does it feel to represent Mexico on the global stage?
It’s amazing! I love being able to tell the world who we are, what we’re doing, and everything we have to offer. It’s like people that go to the Olympics and have this worldwide spotlight on them—it feels just like that. Everything you do now matters. [A few] days ago, I was with the consul general from Mexico here in New York, and we were lighting up the Empire State Building with the colors of our country. I couldn’t believe it! Thanks to this platform, I’m experiencing amazing things.

What are some stereotypes about pageants that aren’t true?
Oh my goodness. Well, Miss Universe does not ask for measurements or height. That is a complete lie. I don’t have a scale in my apartment, and they aren’t checking my weight all the time. The best body is not going to win Miss Universe. The most beautiful face is not going to win Miss Universe. What they do take into account is your personality! They’re looking for someone who can be in a room full of people and express themselves, have a conversation, and sell the company… When you get to the competition, a lot of [contestants] think they have to make people fall in love with them, so they lie about who they are. I would like to tell girls, “Just be yourselves, and get the title because you want to do something with it.”

What motivated you to focus your activism on gender-based violence?
I come from Chihuahua. It’s a very, very violent state against women. I hear stories about women disappearing and looking for their daughters. You see these pink crosses around the city that symbolize a woman missing. But when you grow up with it, it becomes normal, and that’s the sad part—that I wasn’t paying attention to it anymore. My sister became a feminist before I did, and she was one of my motivations. She said to me, “I talk, but not everyone listens because I don’t have the audience you have.” I thought, “Why don’t I take advantage of all the people paying attention to what I do and listening to me?”

What’s another cause you’re passionate about?
I was [just] named the Madrina—or godmother—of the Latino Commission on AIDS, which makes me really proud. I’m going to be working with them very closely, spreading the word about what they’re doing and inviting people to educate themselves; to know that it’s okay if they’re infected and there are places where they can get help.

We hear you’re a certified makeup artist! How did that happen?
I fell in love with makeup when I [entered] the pageant world. Everyone would ask me to do their makeup, so I took classes in Chihuahua and Guadalajara. I was working on productions, music videos, commercials, and photoshoots. It was very fun; I loved it! It’s also my way to relax. I feel like everyone has to have a hobby related to something artistic.