Is it Miss Netherlands or Miss Holland? Boggles the mind quite a bit, eh? But whether it’s Holland or Netherlands, Carmen Selina Kool is the beautiful representative of this country known in French as Pays-Bas (Low Countries). The Netherlands (or Holland if you like) boasts two Miss World crowns. But it seems like both victories were lights years ago - 1959 won by Corine Rottschafer and 1962 won by Catharina Johanna Lodders. It was all downhill since then. There's a faint beacon of hope though that this country will regain its former glory when in 2002 Elise Boulogne was selected as one of the top 15. It will still be a long way for The Netherlands to be back in the spotlight but Carmen Kool is determined to change all that. She's confident that she will represent her country in the best way that she can.
Please describe yourself, where you grew up and your hobbies.
I am a very outgoing person. I like new experiences and traveling. This is one of my greatest passions in life. I love different cultures and meeting new people.
The reason I like this so much is probably because I have lived in several different countries other then the Netherlands. Of course I was born in Holland, but because of my parents’ work, we traveled all over the world. We have stayed in Hungary, Spain and France. My best memories are in France; this is where I grew up to be an adult, for as far as I am right now! I went to a great international school and finished my International Baccalaureate. It was amazing to grow up surrounded by people from all over the world.
I have been living by myself in Amsterdam for nearly two years now and I am really having a great time. I love spending time with my friends, we are usually just “hanging out” but we like to go out clubbing too. Jimmy Woo is my favorite spot.
What is your fashion style?
I love to dress up everyday. For me, it’s important to look as good as possible for every appointment. I love the French style, chique, but I also like Italian brands. I always try to finish my outfit with a good accessory such as a nice bag.
Can you share to us your beauty secret?
My beauty secret is a good night of sleep, drinking a lot of water, eating healthy food, doing enough sports and feeling good about myself. It’s not always possible to combine all of this, but at least I try!
How were you selected as Miss Netherlands World? Describe the selection process.
The selection of Miss World Netherlands was really nerve wrecking! I received a letter from a modeling agency which gave me info about the selections and I decided to subscribe to them. A few weeks after, I got a letter that told me that I was invited to an audition. I was literally surrounded by hundreds of other girls and I thought, “What did I get myself into?" That night a got a phone call that I was running for the Miss World Netherlands title, and that there were only ten girls left. The next day we all came together and I met my fellow contestants. It was a little awkward at first because everybody wants to win. We started the day by doing sports and we finished the day by doing a psychological test.
The day of the final selection was one of the most special days in my life. There were four rounds. When it came to the last round, the jury had ten minutes to choose a winner. I was so nervous! We all had the results of the sports and psychological tests and I did a good job. If your name was called you had to leave the catwalk and soon I was standing alone with another girl called Leonie. When I heard my name and I realized I was the new Miss World Netherlands 2008 I didn’t know how to react. I was so happy that I wanted to cry. It was one of the best moments in my life.
What qualities do you think that will enable you to win the Miss World 2008 crown?
I think that other then my looks, my character will enable me to win the Miss World 2008 crown. In my point of view, beauty comes with a good personality. I really care about other people and I know that being a good Miss World 2008 means helping other people by supporting charity. It is also important to say right things at right time. I think Miss World needs to be smart, which I believe I am!
What is the most interesting or unique experience that has happened to you?
There are so many unique experiences in my life that it’s really hard for me to name just one. Of course winning the Miss World Netherlands crown was very special and definitely unique. It’s a once in your lifetime experience, and I dreamed about this since I was a little girl.
What would you say to some people who think that beauty pageants are outdated?
Rather then telling them something, I would ask them what makes them think like that. I think that they would give me answers I could easily refute, since beauty pageants are definitely not outdated. I would really want to tell people who think beauty pageants are outdated to come and see for themselves.
How would you describe The Netherlands to the rest of Miss World 2008 delegates?
The Netherlands is a great country known for its liberty. It’s a very multicultural society, which makes it unique. Dutch people are very friendly and this is one of the reasons tourists like to visit the Netherlands. The Netherlands is a very small country but there is a variety of places to visit. There are the small villages where there are indeed windmills and tulips but there are also very important international cities such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam and The Hague.
We saw Sanne De Regt in 2003 wearing a sash named Holland while Melissa Sneekes had a sash named Netherlands in 2007. In your opinion which sash is correct?
In my opinion it’s The Netherlands because every time I tell people in English that I am from Holland, they think I say Poland, which I am not! I really don’t know why there are two names for my country and for me it’s so logical that I have never asked myself that question. I really want to know now! I want my sash to say Miss World NETHERLANDS!
Lastly, a message to the web visitors of Missosology.Org….
I thank all the visitors of Missology.Org from all over the world for being interested in me and I also hope that they can enjoy my performances in South Africa and that they will support me even just with their thoughts.
Missosology would like to thank the Miss World Netherlands Organization and to Carmen Kool who e-mailed Missosology personally.
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