“We are known not just for our outer beauty, but equally the inner beauty as well because Kiwis are lovely and have got a great attitude.”
It is a trait highlighted more by being overseas and by not hiding her “Kiwiness”.
“When you are overseas and engaging with other cultures you realise how unique our culture is and even our personalities.”
She says the whole experience was both enjoyable and stressful at the same time.
“You are under the spotlight all the time. It was very extravagant, which was a nice change from what I’m used to from my everyday life, but at the same time it was a little bit stressful because at the end of the day it was still a competition so you had to consider that whatever you did.
“Even while having breakfast they literally had people coming in and judging you and making it quite obvious they were judging you.
“But it was a great opportunity for me as a mother of five to do something completely different to what I normally get to do.”
Jerrie-Lee would like to enter another pageant and says she does it not only for herself but to inspire others who might give it a go.
