Miss Universe Ireland Nadia Sayers struggled to make it into US for finals this weekend

Exclusive: Model and psychologist Nadia Sayers, who was crowned the Irish queen in December is set to take to the Miss Universe final stage in Florida on Sunday

By Katie Gallagher 13:20, 11 MAY 2021

Nadia Sayers was crowned the Irish queen in December and is set to take to the Miss Universe final stage in Florida on Sunday

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Miss Universe Ireland Nadia Sayers had to plead her case to be allowed to enter the US to represent the nation at the finals in Florida this weekend.

The model and psychologist had a Christmas to remember last year as she was crowned the Irish queen in a virtual ceremony.

However, while she has been spending the past two weeks in Miami preparing for the world’s stage in hope of bagging the Miss Universe title, the Belfast-based beauty admitted it was a struggle to have made it to the finals.

She told Irish Daily Mirror: “It took us four weeks to get approval for me to come here from the Government.

“The US have put restrictions in place for people from Europe travelling in, so basically unless it is under exceptional circumstances, they have a list of them, they can’t travel into the US.

(Image: Credit: Alexandra Barfoot)

“So we found our circumstance and had written our letter to pass on to the embassy because we are eligible to travel to the US as delegates for Miss Universe.”

Unfortunately, this means the 26-year-old won’t have her family or friends there to watch her in her milestone moment.

She revealed: “My family and some friends wanted to come over but they just couldn’t get into the country.

"My family and friends aren’t eligible. So they’ll be sitting watching on their TVs and laptops.”

Big Message

Red head beauty Nadia, who has a masters degree in psychology, works as development officer for charity organisation Hope 4 Life.

Whilst much of her reign has been virtual with online events and talks, due to Covid-19, she has been juggling her job and her title since she was crowned in December.

And despite the past perceptions of pageants, Nadia said she’s passionate about getting her message of mental health awareness and advocacy across, especially as the world gets to grips of life during the pandemic.

Nadia added: “Mental health and advocacy and awareness and early intervention awareness is my life’s work.

“That’s what I’m passionate about, that’s what I work in, and that’s what I see myself working in for my life.

“Because it is something I genuinely care about and genuinely feel like it is my purpose here.”

Speaking from Miami before she checked in to her Miss Universe quarters, where she is set to do preliminary rounds of the competition and rehearsals for the big event on Sunday, she went on to explain the importance of the platform.

She said: “There is so much more in it than what you look like in a bikini and the dresses you wear.

“Everyone is there for a reason and to make a change.”

Overlooked

“And I think for a long time that was overlooked, because it wasn’t seen past the bikini’s and the makeup and the hair.

“There was always the ‘so do you just stand there in a dress’ or ‘well why, what’s the point?’, there was a lack of interest because I think it was stereotyped.

“But the likes of social media and people who want to find the true reason, that has made a massive difference and made it more accessible to everyone.

“Especially in Ireland, because Ireland isn’t a massive pageant country but it is starting to become one.”

Nadia began her first day of rehearsals on Monday and said she’s nervous and excited for the week ahead.

However, she admitted she’s still in disbelief that by this time next week, she’ll know who the next Miss Universe is.

She said: “I woke up this morning, and it hit me. And I got butterflies in my stomach. I’m excited.”

The 69th Miss Universe Coronation is officially taking place this Sunday, on May 16 at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida, United States.

https://www.irishmirror.ie/showbiz/miss-universe-ireland-nadia-sayers-24082319