Veronika Bódizs • Dec 15, 2022 • 5 min read
Life as Miss Universe II
Updated: Jan 7
This is part two of life as Miss Universe, my personal experience in the international pageant.
The date of my travel was January 13th which is my Name day in Hungary. – This was the biggest gift I could have experienced on this day. The flight was around 18-20 hours long journey to Manila, Philippines with one stop. It was my first experience flying with Emirates and the way they treated me was excellent. I got upgraded to Business Class and they helped me carry my heavy luggage, the kindness of the staff was outstanding. This meant a lot on such a long way like this. I was so nervous I stayed up the whole journey learning and memorizing my texts.
When I finally arrived in the Philippines I felt welcomed and happy. We had to give a short interview right on arrival. I think by this time I was awake for more than 30 hours. It can be very overwhelming to be in front of a large crowd and be expected to speak. The people were friendly and helpful and the atmosphere was warm and inviting. I was amazed by the beauty of the country and the friendly and generous hospitality of the people.
With: Miss Universe France
I arrived evening and I went straight to my room to have a rest and pack out. The next day was going to be a long day. After a few hours of sleep, I got ready early morning and I didn’t even make it to the breakfast, we had to go to record the short video. I wasn’t ready and felt super anxious, I was a bit disappointed with the scheduling but I know managing a big contest like this is not easy, and I had to follow their timing.
We were staying at Conrad Hotel Manila which has been a great experience. From the warm welcome to the well-appointed rooms, the hotel has been a pleasure to stay in. The hotel staff has been friendly and attentive, making sure my stay was comfortable and enjoyable. The rooms are spacious and well-equipped, while the on-site restaurants provide great options for dining. The pool and fitness center are well-maintained and perfect for a leisurely swim or workout. The food was delicious, the culture was fascinating, and the whole experience was unforgettable.
I was chosen to be in the group of girls traveling almost every day and visiting the cities participating in charity events. Sometimes our flight was in the middle of the night so the lake of sleeping was just emphasized.
My roommate and I didn’t get along, honesty sharing that room was a rather unpleasant experience but I won’t get into details. As much as I could I was trying to keep my daily routine with meditation and gratitude journaling and I needed peace and a calm atmosphere while I had a bit of time of resting. But I wasn’t allowed to change rooms. I even talked to a Miss Universe supervisor and explained my situation but they didn’t care. The stress I had caused visible effects on my skin.
I was just focusing my attention on being my best and being able to enjoy this beautiful experience. The competition days flew by so quickly. I visited Cebu, Davao city too which memory will stay in my heart forever. The kindness and love from the Pihilippines were so great and pure. They are the sweetest people. The people were so positive and happy, even though they had so little. I learned a lot from my trip, and it will stay with me forever.
With my friend Miss Universe Germany, Johanna Acs
with whom we stayed in contact even after the competition. She was super nice
Every day I had to attend different events, such as press conferences, cultural activities, interviews, and photoshoots. It was an intense and exciting experience. The photoshoots were one of the most challenging and fun parts of the competition. We had to be prepared for any kind of shoot, from swimwear to evening gowns. Confidence was key for being poised in front of the camera at all times, and it was definitely a learning experience.
The days leading up to the finals were filled with rehearsals and preparation such as practicing our walks, poses, turns, and all the other aspects of the competition. It was important to make sure that everything was perfect. On the night of the finals, I was so nervous but also excited. I had worked so hard to get to this point and I was determined to do my best. As I walked up on stage, I could feel the energy of the crowd.
After the national costume show, the preliminary competition was in full swing. I was proud to wear the gown which design was made based on my idea and drawing by a Hungarian designer Mero Peter.
The show was really fun I loved it and I had a wonderful person there supporting me Andrea Soock. She come to help me as a translator but her presence meant to me a lot. She was very supportive and encouraging. In between the practices, she was always there for me when I needed and cheered me on when I was feeling low. Her support gave me a great boost of energy. She had a positive attitude and always looked for ways to help me. I am very thankful for her and I would not have enjoyed the show as much without her.
Also, the members of Miss Universe were great and fun people who made the whole show exciting and joyful.
After I got home from Miss Universe I was sleeping for 16 hours every day. I remember I could only wake up when I kept a Redbull by the side of my bed and I drink the moment I opened my eyes – usually around 3 pm. My body was exhausted.
I got depressed and I couldn’t leave my room for a while I saw many negative comments and untrue writings and I felt disappointed for doing my best for my country and they could behave that way. I know should have to keep my focus on my fans who were always loving, they are the best people.
I realized how important to build up my relationship with myself to not rely on the criticism of the outside world and to be strong to focus on my blessings.
People always see in you what they have within them, and those who have hate, that’s all they will reflect on you, and those who have love and kindness will always support you.
Soon after I decided to go on the trip I won. I brought my sister with me and we just enjoyed every moment of the vacation. We had an amazing time in Miami and the Bahamas discovering all the sites and activities that Miami had to offer, from exploring the Art Deco district to soaking up the sun on the beach. We also had a blast taking a cruise to the Bahamas and exploring the different islands. We created lasting memories and had a wonderful time.
Every experience is just an experience and comes with its positive and negative sides. The most important for us is to build a strong loving relationship with ourselves. When we know how to take good care and respect our time and body and harmony we will be able to make every experience wonderful. From this time I devoted the next few years to spiritual healing because this experience opened my eyes to the lake of love I had back then. Now I’m able to see this experience through the loving eyes of my heart.
I’m glad I experienced this beautiful adventure and this made me grow into the person I become.