Swedish beauties these days are relatively underrated. Sad but that is the truth. Sweden was once a beauty superpower. The country won the first ever Miss World (Kerstin Håkansson in 1951) as well as the second (May Louise Flodin in 1952) and its last glorious moment was in 1977 when Mary Stävin emerged as the winner. But Sweden can pull surprises. Remember Annie Oliv last year? Swedes' attitude towards beauty pageants changed but the Swedish beauty remains strong. This year, Kärsti Amanda Ulfdotter will tell everyone that Swedish beauty will never fade.
Please describe yourself, where you grew up and your hobbies.
My name is Amanda Ulfdotter. I am 23 years old (soon to be 24) and currently a resident of Gothenburg, Sweden. I grew up in an amazingly beautiful and secure Swedish countryside where a child truly can be a child. I am very aware of how lucky I am, having been born in a safe country, into a loving wonderful family, far away from war, poverty and persecution. I have always been a very emotional person which I think this is one of the reasons for why I’ve chosen to study to become a psychologist. I have always had the desire to try to change, understand and improve my surrounding world.
I have many hobbies. When I was 5 I joined the children’s church choir and preformed at many different occasions and since then singing has always been one of my passions. Since both my parents are very athletic it is not surprising that my other big passion is sport. When I was two years old my parents placed my on a pair of cross-country skis and a couple of years later I begun competing. Although I was quite talented in cross county skiing, I never really found any joy in it compared to the joy I felt when I danced! My favourite kind of dances is show jazz and dance aerobic! I also took horse riding lessons for many years. My favourite part of horse riding is going for long rides in the forest; it’s one of the best ways to experience nature! I also enjoy following my dad’s footprints when he goes hunting during late autumn and go for walks with our dogs together with my mom. I also enjoy travelling; meeting new people and experience new cultures.
What is your fashion style?
Why settle for one look when you can have plenty? I like to change; to be able to look like a businesswoman one day and a bohemian the next. This is what one of my friends said when she heard I had won the Miss World Sweden title, “Wow that’s so funny, you who almost always wear baggy pants and sneakers!” It’s actually true that I often prefer the sporty, “comfy” look, but I also love to dress up and wear “womanly”, elegant and romantic dresses!
Can you share to us your beauty secret?
Take good care of your health! Get involved in sports, eat well and spend time outside in the nature. Surround yourself with people you love. If you are feeling well on the inside you will have a beautiful glow in your eyes and your skin. Stay away from cigarettes and alcohol. I like the natural look; in my opinion the most important thing when it comes to makeup is to not overdo it! And last of all, smile a lot!
How were you selected as Miss Sweden World? Describe the selection process.
There were 15 semi-finals in different parts of Sweden. I found out about the competition really late so I participated in the last semi-final. I won and just a few days later the final was held in Stockholm in a well known nightclub/restaurant called Café Opera. We had 3 presentations on the “catwalk”; the first two in summer fashion cloths and the last one in evening gowns. After that we had interviews which were held in English and finally the judges made their decision.
What qualities do you think that will enable you to win the Miss World 2008 crown?
I believe that my parents have brought me up to be very down to earth, humble and goal oriented and I’m not afraid to laugh at myself. When I began modeling a couple of years ago people in my surroundings were scared that I would change in a bad way, but now I think I have proven that I am who I am. I know where I come from and on the inside I will always be a proud hillbilly no matter what!
I have a genuine interest in my surrounding world and a desire to try to change, understand and improve my world. I come from a sporty, down to earth family, I have high educational goals and I believe that I can represent a healthy lifestyle and influence people to not just focus on their exterior appearance, but to also, and more importantly, be curious about our society, discover and develop their inner assets and to take an active part in how they can contribute to a better world.
I am realistic but hopeful. I don’t believe I will be able to save the world or accomplish world peace, but I do hope and believe that I, with help from my title (Miss World Sweden) and in combination with my education and interest in meeting new people, have the ability to influence more people to get involved in their society and realize that we have to work together and look beyond the boarders of countries, religion and culture to achieve necessary changes in the world.
What is the most interesting or unique experience that has happened to you?
I don’t know if it’s really unique, but for me this was emotionally a really strong experience: When I was 16 I went to Australia and spent one year in Sydney and Wellington helping out different families with their children simultaneously as I went to High school. At the same time as I was really excited, I had been dreading the day I was going to leave for a long time When I finally took the elevators up to my gate and had to wave goodbye to my parents and brother I thought my heart was going to burst and I couldn’t stop my tears from falling no matter how hard I tried. I must have looked really miserable since a kind air-hostess gave me a blanket and a small bottle of champagne (I was 16!!) and said “Cheer up love”. A couple of weeks later I remember walking with the children in Sydney city when I realized where I was and that I had managed to leave even though I was so scared…..I felt so proud!
What would you say to some people who think that beauty pageants are outdated?
They probably don’t know what kind of contest Miss World is so I would inform them about what it takes to become a Miss World candidate, what qualities the judges are looking for and how I interpret my role as Miss World Sweden.
As a child my dream was to become a famous singer so that I would be able to reach out to people and spread good messages in order to accomplish positive changes in the world...Now I have received a different opportunity to influence; my attitude towards beauty pageants is in fact quite ambiguous since I am very aware of the risks with today’s fixation when it comes to looks and appearance. That’s why I have chosen to participate in Miss World because it is not only a pure beauty contest; we are not judged only by how we look. The contest lasts for four weeks and during that time we will compete in different areas such as “Miss Sport”, “Miss Talent” and “Miss Fashion”. More importantly, Miss World is also a world-wide charity project.
I choose to regard this opportunity as a platform to, among other things, influence young women in positive ways. I came from a sporty, down to earth family that live close to the nature and I believe that I, in many ways, can represent a healthy lifestyle. I hope I will be able to influence young people to not just focus on their exterior appearance, but to also be curious about their surrounding world, discover and develop their inner assets and to take an active part in how they can contribute to a better society.
I am hopeful they would understand that Miss World is much more than just being pretty and able to hold a smile! Beauty is not something bad, it’s when it turns into vanity it becomes ugly!
How would you describe Sweden to the rest of Miss World 2008 delegates?
One of the things I appreciate most with Sweden is its nature! It would be enough to show them a photo from where I grew up to make them understand why. In Sweden we have a quite unique law that is called free access to private land. This means we are allowed to just go out in the forest and pick berries and mushrooms, breathe fresh air and listening to the sound of pure nature everywhere we please. As I’ve mentioned before Sweden is a very safe country. We have a well-known welfare system that works as a safety net for everyone in the country. We also have virtually free education for life, free childcare, eldercare, healthcare etc. I wouldn’t want to raise my children anywhere else but here.
What is your motto in life?
Nothing is worth having that comes easily. Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who matter don't mind, and those who mind don't matter.
Lastly, a message to the web visitors of Missosology.Org….
First of all, I feel proud and grateful that you and Missosology wanted to give me this opportunity to introduce myself here. Furthermore I want you all to know that I am really nervous about the Miss World final and that your support therefore means more to me than you can imagine, so a big thanks to all of you.
Först och främst vill jag säga att känner mig både stolt och tacksam att ni och Missosology ville ge mig detta tillfälle att presentera mig själv. Vidare vill jag att ni ska veta att jag är otroligt nervös inför Miss World finalen och att ert stöd därför betyder mer för mig än ni kan föreställa er så ett stort tack till er alla.
Missosology.Org would like to thank Amanda Ulfdotter for the interview and for providing her photos!
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