Miss Virginia Teen USA 亲述：如何选，如何美

MISS VIRGINIA TEEN USA 2023

弗吉尼亚青少年选美小姐

Ashley访谈录

小编｜圈常在

写在前面

2023年4月30日星期日晚在维吉尼亚州的Hylton Performing Arts Center，16岁的华裔女孩Ashley Wang戴上了Miss Virginia Teen USA 2023的后冠。Ashley成为首位获得Miss Virginia Teen USA的华裔，并将在2023年十月代表维吉尼亚州参加Miss Teen USA 2023的角逐。

一个选美届的素人，如何过关斩将第一次参加选美就拔得头筹？让我们先来欣赏一下Ashley临场回答问题的精彩场面，第二个问题事先并不告知选手，非常考验现场应变能力：

https://youtu.be/jjEZY8Vh7VU

Ashley的妈妈在第一时间分享了此消息，后宫立马炸了锅，这是后宫小主头一回当选州选美小姐啊。众妃对新当选的选美小姐亲妈一顿狂轰乱炸，绝不辜负这个第一手的八卦机会。当然了，也不能错过 MissVirginia Teen USA 本人的心得分享。

与Ashley的对话

Q1:

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

当你妈妈建议参加选美比赛时，你首先想到的是什么？你是怎么对回应她的？

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.

当我妈妈第一次提出让我参加选美时，我非常犹豫。虽然我一直对模特很感兴趣，也正处于想要新体验的阶段；然而，关于选美比赛的刻板印象让我望而却步。经过深思熟虑，我决定报名，因为重在参与嘛。我希望即使我没有获奖，这段经历也许能成为我开启模特生涯的一个机会，或者帮助我建立更多的人脉。

Q2:

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

当你走进一个满是漂亮女孩的房间时，你的想法是什么？

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，我被其他女孩的着装吓到了。她们中的很多人穿着色彩大胆价格昂贵的服装。我立马觉得自己穿得太朴素太简陋了，一看就是准备不足。另一方面，当我看到这些年轻姑娘的时候，我并没有觉得自己的美丽打了任何折扣。她们很漂亮，但我并不因此而变得不那么美丽。当时我很紧张，但也很高兴能认识她们所有人。

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?

由于一切都是现场直播，所以没有犯错的余地。你能分享一下当事情没有按计划进行时的一个时刻吗？你是如何克服紧张情绪的，以及你是如何做出补救的？

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.

在宣布入围名单之前，我不小心踩到了舞台上另一个女孩的裙子。我感到很尴尬，并向她道歉了至少十亿次。当我回到更衣室时，我对这个事情感到非常沮丧，但没有让它影响到我。我已经跳舞 11 年了，我知道舞台上任何事情都可能发生。我无法回到过去让这件事不发生，所以只能往前看。至少现在我知道在靠近带有巨大拖裾的裙子时要更加小心。

Q4:

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

在这个过程中，你最怀疑自己的时刻是什么？是什么让你坚持下去？

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.

说实话，整个过程中我一直在怀疑自己。我已经跳舞11年了，很少能取得惊人的成绩，所以我对我的第一次选美完全没有期望。我最怀疑自己的时刻大概是第一天结束的时候。我非常内向，社交能力极低。我以为选美的环境会逼迫我与其他人交谈，但第一天结束时我太累了，我只想回家。值得庆幸的是，另一位参赛者 Gabby主动过来和我交谈，这让我感觉好多了。整个比赛周末我们聊得很多，感恩有她，让我心态没崩。

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Q5:

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

如果你想写一首关于这次经历的歌曲，标题会是什么？

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，但我知道它会类似于梅兰妮·马丁内斯的歌曲。她的新专辑《Portals》在选美比赛前一个月发行，我在整个选美比赛期间都在听它。一般来说，当我感到不知所措时，音乐确实可以帮助我平静下来并给自己充电，我至今还记得在更衣室里面带着耳机用她的音乐淹没我的感觉。

Q6:

What is your favorite ice cream flavor?

你最喜欢什么口味的冰淇淋？

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.

我不仅不挑食，而且还超爱吃甜食。所以我几乎什么都吃，尤其对甜食来者不拒。如果是冰淇淋的话，我最喜欢的是薄荷巧克力片、饼干面团，或饼干和奶油口味。

Q7:

How do you feel about representing your state?

您对代表本州有何感想？

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.

我到现在想到自己有荣幸代表弗吉尼亚州都还是感到不可思议。担负起这个责任倒也并没有让我感到紧张，但当我为美国青少年小姐比赛做准备时，这个压力还是有点吓人的。从另一方面讲，这是一个非常好的机会，我对此感到无比感激。我倒没觉得作为州代表会遇到很多问题，但是确实希望我能超越自己，完美胜任这个角色。

Q8:

What is the biggest change since you won the title?

夺冠以来最大的变化是什么？

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!

迄今为止最大的变化肯定是我的日程安排啦。每次我都觉得我的日程已经安排得不能再排满了，结果居然还能排得更满。我的日程包括了许多即将举行的活动和照片拍摄，压力还是蛮大的。但总的来说，非常令人兴奋，而且必须要感谢Google日历，绝对是一个大救星！

Q9:

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

你的护肤习惯是什么？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.

我有相当繁琐的护肤程序，主要是因为我喜欢测试新产品！通常早上的例行公事包括用冷水快速冲洗、使用保湿爽肤水、滋养爽肤水、维生素 C 精华液、保湿霜和防晒霜。我的夜间日常护理总是从双重清洁开始、然后依次是保湿爽肤水、去角质精华液、烟酰胺和厚涂面霜（因为我的皮肤干燥）。

我主要通过跳舞来保持身材。我每周跳舞 15 到 20 个小时，这意味着我不断接受大量的有氧运动、力量和灵活性训练。此外，对我来说非常重要的是，我要倾听自己身体的声音，吃足够的食物来维持我所做的高强度训练。健康饮食和少吃之间存在巨大差异，每个人的身体表现也不同。这就是为什么我不坚持任何特定的饮食，因为现在的做法对我的身体和生活方式来说是可持续的。

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Q10:

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

在整个过程中，最让你大开眼界的经历是什么？

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.

最令人大开眼界的经历肯定是我对整个选美比赛的看法。在参加比赛之前，我以为参加选美比赛的人都很肤浅，只关心自己的外表，但事实证明这是完全错误的。在后台见到所有其他参赛者让我知道选美中有很多聪明而强大的女性。

Q11:

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

您有兴趣从事娱乐行业吗？

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.

未来我的目标是成为一名化妆品化学家。这源于我对护肤品及其配方的热爱。我很想兼职做模特，或者可能做一些其他形式的娱乐业工作，比如内容创作，但是，优先级最高的肯定是化学。

给Ashley父母的问题

Q1: 你们怎么想起来让她参加选美的？

这就要感谢我们群友了，这位美女之家，女儿参加过Miss New Jersey Teen USA，进了半决赛。她慧眼看中瑶瑶，说她特别适合选美，我想那就去试试，也就一个周末的时间。信群友的话，得冠军。

Q2: 你们开始对她的预期是什么？

瑶瑶的专长是跳舞，可是Miss USA不要求才艺表演，瑶瑶的面试和演讲也没有专门训练，所以我们对她是零预期。悄悄的报了名，服装和鞋子都是凑合的，orientation培训也没能参加。赛前不好意思去社交媒体拉票，看比赛就只有我们俩。心里打算预赛后就回家，如果还能进半决赛，那简直就太好了。

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Q3: Ashley 10年级就选了四门AP, 选美和跳舞都难免挤掉学习的时间，你们着急吗？你们是怎么帮助Ashley 时间管理提高效率的？

着急呀，她功课压力大，学校舞蹈队又特别耗时间，studio的跳舞只能挤在周末。我们很希望她参加有public speaking有关的活动，然而剩余的一点点时间，不够参加任何一个俱乐部。幸好她在Covid期间，通过打游戏认识了几个朋友，这些孩子都比她年级高，大家可以一起学习。她做事一向很慢，但是因为时间真的很少，她也只能被迫提高时间管理。