Miss Universe Ireland Fionnghuala O’Reilly criticised by girls who felt she couldn’t represent ‘Irish beauty’

Aoife Finneran 22 Mar 2020, 8:15

SHE made history as the first woman of colour to be crowned Miss Universe Ireland, but Fionnghuala O’Reilly has told how not everyone was happy to see her claim the title.

The 26-year-old revealed she was criticised by girls who felt she couldn’t represent “Irish beauty” due to her looks.

Beauty queen Fionnghuala O’Reilly is determined to channel the negative experiences into something positive

She was crowned Miss Universe Ireland back in August

The NASA 'datanaut' has seven years modelling experience under her belt

She explained: “I’m half black-American and half Irish.

“I’m the first woman of colour and first black Miss Universe Ireland we’ve ever had. Unfortunately quite a few girls, after I’d won, they came out and said negative things about me on social media.

“A lot of girls were lovely but some girls came out and said I wasn’t Irish and wasn’t deserving of the title because there was no way I could represent Irish beauty.

“It was hard to hear . . . but it showed it was important for my story to be shared.”

Sadly, it’s not the only time the Swords, Co Dublin woman has experienced negativity because of her background, as she revealed: “These are things that girls like me feel on a daily basis.

“I get asked, ‘Where are you really from?’ I’ve had people stick their hands in my hair.

“It’s very unnerving. You wouldn’t typically walk up to someone and touch them, but that has happened my whole life.

“I appreciate any compliment, but I think it’s important to inform people that there are other ways to let people know that you’re curious about their background.”

IRELAND IS CHANGING

However, the beauty queen is determined to channel the negative experiences into something positive — by showcasing what it means to be Irish today.

She told the Irish Sun on Sunday: “It’s important to stand up for yourself and show that I am different but I am Irish.

“There’s no one way to be Irish. We’re growing and changing as a society, and being Miss Universe Ireland, I’ve been put on this platform and I’ve won it rightfully, and I’m able to show others that Ireland is changing.”

Fionnghuala is also the first Nasa ‘datanaut’ to enter the popular pageant, and was thrilled when space agency endorsed her campaign ahead of the Miss Universe finals in Georgia last December.

A systems engineering graduate from George Washington University in Washington DC, she took a role as a data scientist with Nasa and went on to become a director of the Nasa Space App Challenge.

She also has seven years of modelling experience under her belt, having lived and worked in the fashion capital of Milan, Italy.

MULTIPLE INTERESTS

And she’s keen to show other women that science/maths careers and fashion and beauty aren’t mutually exclusive.

She explained: “One of the things that’s important for me is to show that just because you’re a woman who works in an industry like technology, it doesn’t mean you can’t have an interest in fashion and beauty.

“There’s a stereotype of the woman who works in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths), but I want to show other girls that you can be all of those things.

“You can be a renaissance woman, have multiple interests and pursue those across the board.

“My story is a testament to that.”

NASA SUPPORT

Since winning the Miss Universe Ireland crown last August, Fionnghuala has represented the brand across Ireland and the US.

And she was overjoyed to be invited to tour Nasa’s Goddard Station on the day of the historic all-woman space walk.

She recalled: “I met with all the top officials and they officially endorsed my campaign for Miss Universe.

“It was unbelievable to have the support of Nasa for that.”

Fionnghuala had been due to return to the US this week to take part in the Boston St Patrick’s Day parade, and was invited to ring the bell at the New York Stock Exchange for its “Ireland Day”.

However, the entire itinerary was scrapped due to the escalating coronavirus crisis.

The pandemic has also forced the cancellation of many of her scheduled events over the coming weeks, but she’s hoping she’ll have more opportunities to work as Miss Universe Ireland before handing over her crown in August.

And she wants to encourage more women to bid for the title this year, saying: “Don’t just think about it, do it. Ignore the detractors.

“I’ve been there, I know how it feels, but there’s nothing more amazing than confidence in a woman and sometimes it takes putting yourself out there to gain that confidence.

“It’s a journey. I don’t wake up every day thinking I’m the most amazing person in the world.”

She added: “Everyone has insecurities but a true queen is someone who decides to be their best self despite their faults.”

She's urging more women to bid for the title this year

https://www.thesun.ie/fabulous/5232658/fionnghuala-o-reilly-criticised-irish-beauty/