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• How would you define "beauty?"
Beauty is charm, charisma, appeal and humor. Beauty is reflected when someone is healthy and happy. Dali explained beauty in a good, simple way when he said, "Beauty is simply the total consciousness of our perfections."

• What were your reasons for joining the Miss Norway pageant?
Miss Norway was my first beauty pageant and I wanted to participate because when I was younger, I looked at the pageant enthusiastically. As Miss Norway, I got a voice in public issues, for example against the fur industry. Also, I am able to be a role model for younger girls, and be inspirational. To work as a model inspired me, and I looked at the competition like a challenge for myself that I wanted to try out. When I was younger, I looked at the beautiful models in the magazines, and I remember telling my mom, "Can you imagine how it is to be so pretty that your picture is on the cover of a magazine?" That became my inspiration, and I put my heart in it to realize my dream.

• How were you elected as Frψken Norge Universe? Describe the judging process.
First I sent in my application, and the jury selected 24 girls to the semifinals. We spent a week in a spa hotel. We had several photo shoots and a lot of interviews. At the end of the week, we walked down the runway for the judges and were asked questions. First it was presentation programs broadcasted on TV, and then the semifinal. The public voted for their favorite girl, and then the judges chose four girls they believed in. We were 12 in the final. We had a lot of interviews with the judges before the final. The public voted for the girl they liked to compete in Miss World, and I was so lucky to be chosen by the judges as the one to compete in Miss Universe.

• What do you think are your qualities that helped you earn the judges' approval & the crown?
Throughout the whole competition, I was honest, independent and always spoke from the heart. I tried my best all the time, and was enjoying every moment throughout the competition. And from the beginning I really believed in myself, that gave me a lot of confidence.

• Tell us about your preparations for the Miss Universe contest.
I am exercising more, and I try to keep a routine when it comes to sleep, exercise and eating. I love horseback riding and yoga, and I do it to relax and stay focused.

• Can you tell something that is so interesting or unique about you?
I love animals, and when I was younger, I spent all my time around horses, cows and sheep. When I was 12, I started volunteer work during holidays in a farm for handicapped children. I worked there all summer and learned to milk cows by hand. It is not easy, but after a couple of months, I got the hold of it. (smiles...)

• Any beauty queen/s that you really admire? Why?
Mona Grudt is a striking beauty and she is a wonderful person inside and out. She won the Miss Universe title last time it was in Los Angeles, 16 years ago. I admire her because of her charming appeal and her calmness. She followed us during the Miss Norway pageant, and she is so down to earth, and made us feel good about ourselves. After her winning the title, she is still a role model, and she is very inspirational to me.

• Describe your fashion sense and style.
My fashion sense is to dress properly for every occasion. I never over or under dress, but always look expressive. I believe that less is more, and I always try to look natural. I love fashion, and I try to keep up, but I never lose my own sense of style. I like to dress up in gorgeous dresses during special occasions but in the everyday life, I wear jeans but make them my own by accessorizing. 

• How will you describe your country to your co-candidates at Miss Universe? 
Norway is such a beautiful country, and I will recommend visiting us up north. Norway is most famous for our fjords and mountain landscape, and our beautiful coastline. We have four very different seasons here. In the winter, it is very cold and there's a lot of snow and we have winter activities like snowboarding and cross-country. The summer here is warm and we play beach volleyball and swim in the sea. My friends and I like to drive out with a boat to one of the smaller islands and barbequing and watch the sunset. Norwegians have a great reputation of being honest and fair, and often being used in political matters between countries.

• What is your opinion on activists' point of view that exposure of too much skin in the swimsuit competition disrespects women?
I would say that I don't agree with their opinion, though I respect their point of view. In the swimsuit competition, and the whole competition itself, we celebrate women all over the world, and the beauty we represent. By wearing a swimsuit in the final, we stand up showing we are proud of our self.

• Supposed there is a Genie who happens to be mad at you for a wrong deed committed and his punishment is to turn you into an animal for a year. You can't plead to alter his decision but you get to decide what type of animal you would become, what creature would you choose and why?
I would choose to be a cat, because they are so independent and self-minded. The cat does everything in its own way, and you can never force a cat to do something. They are very elegant and pure, and show their emotions in every movement.

• If it were your last day on earth, what would you eat & why?
I would invite my family and friends to cook a great meal together. I love cooking, and what is better than making wonderful food with the people you love and care about! Then we would sit down around a big table, eating, talking and dance around the table the whole evening. Afterwards we would sit by the fireplace, drinking hot chocolate with whipped cream while watching the fire. To spend a day cooking and being with my family and friends, I would feel it was well-spent last hours. They mean everything to me.

• Do you have a motto or personal quote that you live by?
"Treat others like you want them to treat you." I try to live by that quote, to treat others with great honesty and respect. And after I started volunteer-work in a farm for handicapped children, I learned a new motto: "Don't to judge a book by its cover."

• Aside from winning your title, what's the best thing that has ever happened to you?
When I turned 11, my parents bought me a horse. His name was Casino. It has enormous responsibilities, but also had a lot of freedom. Being able to jump up on it, and run away. After I got him, I practically lived in the stable around horses. Another childhood memory I have was my first day at school. I had just turned 7 years old, and I remember how so excited I was, everyone had told me how great it would be. My mom had bought me a new pink backpack, and I was so proud of it! Even tough, I was shy before meeting all the new people, and I still remember holding my dad's hand in the schoolyard and wouldn't let go. It's the day in my childhood I remember best.

• Do you think winning a beauty pageant is really important? Tell us about your responsibilities as Miss Norway titleholder.
When I entered the Miss Norway competition, I walked in with a smile on my face, and never expected to win. I hoped and dreamed of course, but there were so many beautiful girls! I tried to enjoy every moment of the pageant and just did my best all the time. But when we were three girls left standing on stage, and two would be elected, I really felt how great it would be, and what an honor it was, to represent my country in the Miss Universe pageant. I feel I have responsibilities since I represent my country. As Miss Norway, I am an ambassador for my country, and the competition itself, but most of all, I'm a role model for young girls. 

• Why do you want do be crowned Miss Universe and how would you define the title in your own terms?
Since my childhood I have always followed my own path in life, just listening to my heart. Traveling is my passion in life, and by winning my national title, I have been able to go places I just dreamt of before. I love meeting new people, because every time you learn something about others, you learn something about yourself too. I am eager to travel and see the world, learn about new cultures and people, and to be many experiences richer. To win the greatest beauty title in the universe would be an honor and a great accomplishment, and it means that people have enormous trust and they really believe in you. 

• What should pageant experts, your fellowmen, fans and beauty watchers expect from Miss Norway at Miss Universe 2006 pageant?
You can look forward to meet a self-confident girl, who is grateful for being able to participate in the Miss Universe pageant. You will meet an energetic and reflected young woman with a big smile and an open heart. I'm eager to learn, and take this experience with me forever. 

• Finally, leave a message for your fans, supporters and the readers of Missosology.
I appreciate all your support, it means a lot to me. Thank you to everyone who believes in me, and finds me interesting, I'll give my all and I won't let you down. I will never take your attention and love for granted, it is a good motivation to have you around. Thank you to Missosology for having this interesting and good website, all of you are doing such a good job!