• What three words best describe you & why?
Goal-oriented, a loyal friend and honest. Goal Oriented, because if I want to achieve something, I'll give my best & I work very hard to achieve it. A loyal friend, because if I am a friend to someone, I'll be there for her no matter what. I care a lot and do my best for my friends. Honest, because I always tell the truth and I won't lie about anything.

• What was your childhood dream?
My childhood dream was to be a very successful career woman in business. When I was at a very young age, I also dreamt of being a doctor, an engineer.... however, my interest went to computers when I was growing up. I also always wanted to be a beauty queen and a model. I studied computer science and my dream of being a beauty queen came true when I got crowned as Miss Universe Ethiopia 2005 and I am proud and honored to represent my country.

• What factors attracted you to join a beauty contest? Why did you decide to join the Miss Universe Ethiopia pageant?
The exposure and experience it gives to young women. It gives us a chance to show not only our beauty but also our intelligence. We can use it as a platform for our career path. I joined the contest because I always wanted to represent my country in the Miss Universe pageant & show the rich culture and history we have, the beauty & intelligence of our women. I also wanted to be a role model for young Ethiopians.

• What is your impression on beauty contests prior to participating in one?
I always thought that beauty pageants give opportunities for young women that will showcase their beauty & intelligence. They are very glamorous but need hard work at the same time. They are experiences of a lifetime where we meet people, learn about other cultures and show our culture to the world.

• Can you put in the picture the judging process that you went through as a contestant of Miss Universe-Ethiopia?
We had a pre-judging fashion show which was used as part of the judging process for selecting top ten. The night of the pageant, we had a swimsuit and evening gown competitions which were used to select the top ten. All the top ten finalists were asked one question each to select top five. All of the top five finalists were asked the same questions and I was chosen Miss Universe Ethiopia 2005.

 • What do you think are your qualities that made you win the Miss Universe-Ethiopia 2005 title?
I believe I was chosen because I was the best candidate. I am confident, well-spoken, beautiful & intelligent, I know my history and culture very well. I was ready to represent my country in the Miss Universe pageant and serve as a role model for young Ethiopians. I am ready to represent my country and show to the world the side of Ethiopia that it hasn't seen before. All these, added with the help of God made me win the title.

• Is winning a beauty pageant important? Tell us about your responsibilities as Miss Universe Ethiopia.
Yes, it is important to win a beauty pageant because when someone enters the pageant, her aim is to win. Among my responsibilities as Miss Universe Ethiopia is basically to be the representative of my country in Miss Universe and other international pageants and to work in a charity of my choice. We at Ethiopian Life Foundation support children's charities. As Miss Universe Ethiopia, I also get to travel around my country to teach about HIV/AIDS and the importance of education. Lastly, it is my role to promote positively my country and its rich culture through various events like Addis Ababa Fashion week, The Ethiopian Music awards and many others.

• What is your opinion on activists' point of view that exposure of too much skin in the swimsuit competition disrespects women?
I don't think the swimsuit competition disrespects women because the main goal of having it is to see how fit the contestants are, and not use it for any other purpose.

• What are your passions in life?
My hobbies are working out, hiking, surfing the net, reading magazines and newspapers, watching TV. I have a passion for designing clothes and I also love children.

• Can you tell something that is so interesting about you?
I was working as an IT and I decided to change my career to fashion and modeling. I did all the things I achieved in Ethiopia where opportunities are very limited.


• How are you preparing yourself for the Miss Universe beauty pageant?
I prepare myself through reading & updating myself in current issues, working out and organizing my wardrobe. I am getting ready physically and emotionally. I will be hosting several of the Miss Universe 2005 delegates as they come to Ethiopia for the 2005 Ethiopian Music Awards show and this will be a wonderful opportunity to meet them.


• How will you describe your country to your co-candidates at Miss Universe?
Ethiopia is a country with very rich culture and history. We are the cradle of human beings, we have a much diversified population and culture, and we have about 70 tribes with different cultures in them. We also have our own calendar with 13 months and our own alphabets and numbers. Ethiopia has never been colonized and we are the pioneers of African independence.

• What is the craziest thing you have ever done?
Nothing very crazy that I remember of.


• How would you define "love"?
Love is sharing what you have, caring for others as you care for yourself. It is unconditional.


• Do you have a motto or personal quote that you live by?
Dream high and work hard to achieve your goal!


• What is your biggest dream in life?
Right now is to represent my country in the Miss Universe pageant and make my people proud. My biggest dream in life, however, is to be a successful businesswoman.

I want to have my own TV show and magazine which I can use to render influence in others' lives. I also wish to become an ambassador for UNICEF.




 
Thank you Atetegeb. Do your best in your Miss Universe quest! Good Luck!
Special thanks to Miss Universe Ethiopia Org., Andy Abulime & Rizwan Ali