MissVirginiaTeenUSA親述：如何選，如何美

MISS VIRGINIA TEEN USA 2023

弗吉尼亞青少年選美小姐

Ashley訪談錄

小編｜圈常在

寫在前面

2023年4月30日星期日晚在維吉尼亞州的Hylton Performing Arts Center，16歲的華裔女孩Ashley Wang戴上了Miss Virginia Teen USA 2023的后冠。Ashley成為首位獲得Miss Virginia Teen USA的華裔，並將在2023年十月代表維吉尼亞州參加Miss Teen USA 2023的角逐。

一個選美屆的素人，如何過關斬將第一次參加選美就拔得頭籌？讓我們先來欣賞一下Ashley臨場回答問題的精彩場面，第二個問題事先並不告知選手，非常考驗現場應變能力：

https://youtu.be/jjEZY8Vh7VU

Ashley的媽媽在第一時間分享了此訊息，後宮立馬炸了鍋，這是後宮小主頭一回當選州選美小姐啊。眾妃對新當選的選美小姐親媽一頓狂轟亂炸，絕不辜負這個第一手的八卦機會。當然了，也不能錯過 MissVirginia Teen USA 本人的心得分享。

與Ashley的對話

Q1:

What was the first thing that hit you when your mom suggested a beauty pageant? What was your response to her?

當你媽媽建議參加選美比賽時，你首先想到的是什麼？你是怎麼對回應她的？

Ashley：The first time my mom brought up the idea of attending a pageant, I was very hesitant. I have always been interested in modeling and was also at a point where I wanted new experiences; however, the stereotypes about pageantry turned me away. After some deliberation, I decided it wouldn’t hurt to sign up. I hoped that even if I didn’t win, the experience could open up an opportunity for me in modeling or help me establish more connections.

當我媽媽第一次提出讓我參加選美時，我非常猶豫。雖然我一直對模特很感興趣，也正處於想要新體驗的階段；然而，關於選美比賽的刻板印象讓我望而卻步。經過深思熟慮，我決定報名，因為重在參與嘛。我希望即使我沒有獲獎，這段經歷也許能成為我開啟模特生涯的一個機會，或者幫助我建立更多的人脈。

Q2:

What were your thoughts when you entered a room full of beautiful girls?

當你走進一個滿是漂亮女孩的房間時，你的想法是什麼？

Ashley：On one hand, I was intimidated by the outfits that the other girls wore. Many of them wore bold colors and expensive attire. I felt underdressed and unprepared. On the other hand, I did not feel any less beautiful when I saw all these young women. Just because they are beautiful, it doesn’t make me any less beautiful. I was nervous, but also excited to get to know them all.

一方面，我被其他女孩的著裝嚇到了。她們中的很多人穿著色彩大膽價格昂貴的服裝。我立馬覺得自己穿得太樸素太簡陋了，一看就是準備不足。另一方面，當我看到這些年輕姑娘的時候，我並沒有覺得自己的美麗打了任何折扣。她們很漂亮，但我並不因此而變得不那麼美麗。當時我很緊張，但也很高興能認識她們所有人。

Q3:

Since everything was live, there is no room for mistakes. Could you share a moment when something didn’t go as planned, how you conquered your nervousness, and how you made the save?

由於一切都是現場直播，所以沒有犯錯的餘地。你能分享一下當事情沒有按計劃進行時的一個時刻嗎？你是如何克服緊張情緒的，以及你是如何做出補救的？

Ashley：Before the finalists were announced, I accidentally stepped on another girl’s dress on stage. I felt so embarrassed and apologized to her at least a billion times. When I got back to the dressing room, I was really upset at myself for what happened, but I didn’t let it get to me. I’ve been dancing for 11 years, and I know anything can happen on stage. I can’t go back in time and undo everything, so it’s best to just move on. At least now I know to be more careful when walking near a dress with a huge train.

在宣佈入圍名單之前，我不小心踩到了舞臺上另一個女孩的裙子。我感到很尷尬，並向她道歉了至少十億次。當我回到更衣室時，我對這個事情感到非常沮喪，但沒有讓它影響到我。我已經跳舞 11 年了，我知道舞臺上任何事情都可能發生。我無法回到過去讓這件事不發生，所以只能往前看。至少現在我知道在靠近帶有巨大拖裾的裙子時要更加小心。

Q4:

In the process, what were the moments you doubted yourself most, and what kept you going?

在這個過程中，你最懷疑自己的時刻是什麼？是什麼讓你堅持下去？

Ashley：To be honest, I was doubting myself the entire time. I have been dancing for 11 years and rarely get amazing outcomes, so I had absolutely no expectations for my first ever pageant. The moment when I doubted myself the most was probably the end of the first day. I’m very introverted, and have an extremely low social battery. I thought the pageant environment would challenge me to talk to other people, but I was so exhausted at the end of the day that all I wanted to do was go home. Thankfully, another contestant, Gabby, came to talk to me, and that helped me feel a lot better. We talked more and more throughout the weekend, and she really was what kept me sane.

說實話，整個過程中我一直在懷疑自己。我已經跳舞11年了，很少能取得驚人的成績，所以我對我的第一次選美完全沒有期望。我最懷疑自己的時刻大概是第一天結束的時候。我非常內向，社交能力極低。我以為選美的環境會逼迫我與其他人交談，但第一天結束時我太累了，我只想回家。值得慶幸的是，另一位參賽者 Gabby主動過來和我交談，這讓我感覺好多了。整個比賽週末我們聊得很多，感恩有她，讓我心態沒崩。

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Q5:

If you would write a song about this experience, what would be the title?

如果你想寫一首關於這次經歷的歌曲，標題會是什麼？

Ashley：I can’t think of a song title, however I know it would be something similar to a Melanie Martinez song. Her new album, Portals, came out about a month before the pageant and I was listening to it throughout the entire pageant. Music in general really helps me calm down and recharge myself when I feel overwhelmed, so I can remember just blasting her music into my airpods in the dressing room.

我想不出歌名，但我知道它會類似於梅蘭妮·馬丁內斯的歌曲。她的新專輯《Portals》在選美比賽前一個月發行，我在整個選美比賽期間都在聽它。一般來說，當我感到不知所措時，音樂確實可以幫助我平靜下來並給自己充電，我至今還記得在更衣室裡面帶著耳機用她的音樂淹沒我的感覺。

Q6:

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

你最喜歡什麼口味的冰淇淋？

Ashley：Not only am I not picky about food, but I also have a huge sweet tooth. This means I’ll eat pretty much anything, especially if it’s sweet. My favorites when it comes to ice cream have to be mint chocolate chip, cookie dough, or cookies and cream.

我不僅不挑食，而且還超愛吃甜食。所以我幾乎什麼都吃，尤其對甜食來者不拒。如果是冰淇淋的話，我最喜歡的是薄荷巧克力片、餅乾麵糰，或餅乾和奶油口味。

Q7:

How do you feel about representing your state?

您對代表本州有何感想？

Ashley：It’s a really important and powerful role to represent Virginia, and I’m not entirely sure how to feel about it yet. I wouldn’t necessarily say it makes me nervous, but it’s definitely a little scary as I prepare for Miss Teen USA. On the other hand, it’s an amazing opportunity and I’m insanely grateful. I don’t think I will have many issues representing the state, but I really hope that I can go above and beyond.

我到現在想到自己有榮幸代表弗吉尼亞州都還是感到不可思議。擔負起這個責任倒也並沒有讓我感到緊張，但當我為美國青少年小姐比賽做準備時，這個壓力還是有點嚇人的。從另一方面講，這是一個非常好的機會，我對此感到無比感激。我倒沒覺得作為州代表會遇到很多問題，但是確實希望我能超越自己，完美勝任這個角色。

Q8:

What is the biggest change since you won the title?

奪冠以來最大的變化是什麼？

Ashley：The biggest change so far has definitely been my schedule. When I thought my schedule couldn't get any more packed, it did. There are many upcoming events and photoshoots that I need to fit into my life, which is sometimes pretty stressful. Overall, it’s super exciting though, and setting up Google Calendar was definitely a lifesaver!

迄今為止最大的變化肯定是我的日程安排啦。每次我都覺得我的日程已經安排得不能再排滿了，結果居然還能排得更滿。我的日程包括了許多即將舉行的活動和照片拍攝，壓力還是蠻大的。但總的來說，非常令人興奮，而且必須要感謝Google日曆，絕對是一個大救星！

Q9:

What is your skincare routine and how do you keep your figure?

你的護膚習慣是什麼？如何保持身材？

Ashley：

I have a pretty extensive skincare routine, but that is because I love testing new products! My usual morning routine consists of a quick rinse with cold water, a hydrating toner, a nourishing toner, vitamin C serum, moisturizer, and sunscreen. My nighttime routine always starts with a double cleanse, a hydrating toner, an exfoliating serum, niacinamide, and a thick cream (because I have dry skin).

How I stay in shape is mainly through my dancing. I dance anywhere from 15-20 hours a week, which means I’m constantly getting in a ton of cardio, strength, and flexibility training. That being said, it is very important to me that I listen to my body and eat enough food to sustain the intense training that I do. There is a huge difference between eating healthy and eating less, and everyone’s body behaves differently. That is why I don’t stick to any specific diet, and that is what’s sustainable for my body and lifestyle.

我有相當繁瑣的護膚程式，主要是因為我喜歡測試新產品！通常早上的例行公事包括用冷水快速沖洗、使用保溼爽膚水、滋養爽膚水、維生素 C 精華液、保溼霜和防曬霜。我的夜間日常護理總是從雙重清潔開始、然後依次是保溼爽膚水、去角質精華液、煙醯胺和厚塗面霜（因為我的皮膚乾燥）。

我主要透過跳舞來保持身材。我每週跳舞 15 到 20 個小時，這意味著我不斷接受大量的有氧運動、力量和靈活性訓練。此外，對我來說非常重要的是，我要傾聽自己身體的聲音，吃足夠的食物來維持我所做的高強度訓練。健康飲食和少吃之間存在巨大差異，每個人的身體表現也不同。這就是為什麼我不堅持任何特定的飲食，因為現在的做法對我的身體和生活方式來說是可持續的。

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Q10:

What is the most eye-opening experience for you during the whole pageant?

在整個過程中，最讓你大開眼界的經歷是什麼？

Ashley：

The most eye-opening experience definitely has to be my opinions about pageants as a whole. Before competing, I was under the assumption that people who compete in pageants are shallow and only care about their appearance, however, that turned out to be completely false.

Meeting all the other contestants backstage showed me that there are a ton of intelligent and powerful women in pageantry.

最令人大開眼界的經歷肯定是我對整個選美比賽的看法。在參加比賽之前，我以為參加選美比賽的人都很膚淺，只關心自己的外表，但事實證明這是完全錯誤的。在後臺見到所有其他參賽者讓我知道選美中有很多聰明而強大的女性。

Q11:

Do you have an interest in pursuing a career in the entertainment industry?

您有興趣從事娛樂行業嗎？

Ashley：

In the future, my goal is to become a cosmetic chemist. This stems from my love for skincare and its formulation. I would love to do modeling on the side, or possibly some other form of entertainment like content creation, however, my priority will definitely be chemistry.

未來我的目標是成為一名化妝品化學家。這源於我對護膚品及其配方的熱愛。我很想兼職做模特，或者可能做一些其他形式的娛樂業工作，比如內容創作，但是，優先順序最高的肯定是化學。

給Ashley父母的問題

Q1: 你們怎麼想起來讓她參加選美的？

這就要感謝我們群友了，這位美女之家，女兒參加過Miss New Jersey Teen USA，進了半決賽。她慧眼看中瑤瑤，說她特別適合選美，我想那就去試試，也就一個週末的時間。信群友的話，得冠軍。

Q2: 你們開始對她的預期是什麼？

瑤瑤的專長是跳舞，可是Miss USA不要求才藝表演，瑤瑤的面試和演講也沒有專門訓練，所以我們對她是零預期。悄悄的報了名，服裝和鞋子都是湊合的，orientation培訓也沒能參加。賽前不好意思去社交媒體拉票，看比賽就只有我們倆。心裡打算預賽後就回家，如果還能進半決賽，那簡直就太好了。

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Q3: Ashley 10年級就選了四門AP, 選美和跳舞都難免擠掉學習的時間，你們著急嗎？你們是怎麼幫助Ashley 時間管理提高效率的？

著急呀，她功課壓力大，學校舞蹈隊又特別耗時間，studio的跳舞只能擠在週末。我們很希望她參加有public speaking有關的活動，然而剩餘的一點點時間，不夠參加任何一個俱樂部。幸好她在Covid期間，透過打遊戲認識了幾個朋友，這些孩子都比她年級高，大家可以一起學習。她做事一向很慢，但是因為時間真的很少，她也只能被迫提高時間管理。