I'm happy to be back - Mia
Stabroek News
June 18, 2002
Unlike the last two times when Guyana was represented at the international pageant, those who missed this year's contestant saying "Mia Rahaman, Guyana!" had another chance of seeing the beauty on international television and even hearing her speak.
On May 29, when the Miss Universe Pageant was held many Guyanese were disappointed that Mia Rahaman did not make it into the final ten. But during that night they would have had no doubt that Rahaman did her best and was aggressive as she was among the few contestants seen chatting with Hostess Daisy Fuentes backstage.
Twenty-two-year-old Rahaman returned to Guyana on Sunday night and in a brief exclusive interview with Stabroek News at her Rahaman Park home said that she would not exchange the experience she had in Puerto Rico for anything in the world.
"It just feels... ah it is just a relief that I am back home. I am just so happy that I am back home," she said.
She said after the pageant she travelled to New York where she caught up with some friends. She also disclosed that she met some contacts she made in Puerto Rico and had a look at their offers. One of the offers was to model with the USA Smooth Magazine and when asked if she would take up the offer Rahaman said: "We will see in the future."
Describing her experience in Puerto Rico, the young beauty said: "It was quite a challenge, especially coming from my business [grass track racing] into the pageant industry but you know I coped well."
She said she got along with all the contestants. "I had no problem getting up and getting ready for the events. But it was quite an experience, it was an overwhelming experience."
Referring to the kiss and hug she received from international music star Marc Anthony, Rahaman said she was the only contestant lucky enough to get that close to the singing sensation.
Asked how she felt when she did not hear her name mentioned in the top ten, Mia said there was nothing she could have done then but she was satisfied that she had put her best foot forward. "Actually a lot of girls were very happy with the top ten. So everybody was just like extra happy.
They were all jumping around in the dressing room and some were dancing on stage off camera. Everybody was just having a ball, because it was count down time and everybody was going home."
And to those young ladies who are aspiring to be Miss Guyana/Universe next year she had this advice: "Start preparing now. Don't do the three-month thing like I did. Start getting yourself together now. Start talking to people and start putting your clothes together and getting advice. Start talking to me. Come see me! I am here as I am going to be behind the new pageant. And the queen, I will be with her.
Anything she needs... anything she wants to know. I will even help her with the little details most people don't know about." (By Samantha Alleyne)