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Crowns Magazine May 2024

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22333Miss Grand Florida Pageant 2024Crowns Magazine was honored to be an official sponsor of the Miss Grand Florida 2024 Pageant and to wit ness the crowning of Andrea Valent ina Nunez as the new Miss Grand Florida 2024.Meet Andrea Valentina NunezAndrea, a 24-year-old ent repreneur, model, and content creator, has captivated heart s with her journey and achievements. Originally from Venezuela, Andrea moved t o the Unit ed States at t he tender age of 11. Her determinat ion and ambition have led her to earn an Associat e of Art s in Business, and she has previously won accolades such as 1st Runner Up at Miss Houston Venezuela 2017 and Model Latina Houston 2018.As the owner of Runway Avenue, Andrea is dedicat ed to empowering young women. Her volunt eer work wit h pageant organizations and her business endeavors reflect her commit ment t o m aking a positive impact. Beyond the pageant stage, Andrea is a fervent advocate for children's healt h and well-being, partnering wit h num erous organizations to foster positive change. Her philanthropic efforts are a testament to her compassionate spirit and dedication to giving back to the communit y.Photos by Josegre

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44555Andrea Valent ina Nunez's victory as Miss Grand Florida 2024 is a testament t o her hard work, dedicat ion, and unwavering spirit. Her journey from Venezuela t o the United Stat es, coupled wit h her impressive achievement s, makes her a role model for young women everywhere. Crowns Magazine extends its heartfelt congratulations to Andrea and looks forward to her reign as Miss Grand Florida 2024.Top 5 The com petit ion was fierce, wit h each contestant showcasing grace, intelligence, and poise. The top 5 winners were:- Winner - Miss Grand Miami Andrea Valent ina Nunez- First Runner Up - Miss Grand Port St. Lucie Albani Delgado- Second Runner Up - Miss Grand Palm Beach Woodarlie Tot o- Third Runner Up - Miss Grand Fort Lauderdale Jeanett e Hollis- Fourt h Runner Up - Miss Grand Miami Beach Kat eryna MarilenMiss Grand Treasure Coast Yasmin MucuryMiss Grand Lakeland Yashi GondwalMiss Grand Sout h Florida Anna Teslichenko Miss Grand Jupiter Jessica WinshipPhotos by Jean Rodart

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666The JudgesThe est eem ed panel of judges brought a wealt h of experience and expertise to the pageant:- Simona Lazinsk - Mrs. Florida Int ernational 2023, Mrs. Women Ent repreneur Int ernational, best-selling author, and breast cancer survivor.- Angelique Francois - Former college track star, Haitian American beauty queen, and the first-ever Miss Choucoune International.- Edgar Saakyan - Founder of Edgar Ent ert ainment , producer of beauty pageants and fashion shows.- Jean Rodart - Award-winning Venezuelan phot ographer, makeup art ist, and Creative Director.- Navaneet "Nick" Koirala - Founder, chairm an, and CEO of Koirala Capit al, LLC, hum anit arian, and financial guru recognized in Marquis Who's Who.The PageantThe Miss Grand Florida 2024 Pageant was a dazzling affair, featuring special guest: Ivana Garcia Miss Grand Florida 2023, Stephanie Marie Miranda Morales, Miss Grand USA and Third Runner Up at Miss Grand Int ernational, Lucian Foster Guzman from Peru, Miss Grand International 2023, Miss Grand Texas Karina Ramirez, Miss Grand Illinois Victoria Oluwakot anmi, Miss Grand New Jersey Tiajah Elliot and Miss Grand New Mexico Francely Lopez. The special guest list also included Dianna Davis, Crowns Magazine Editor-In-Chief. Dianna was also a member of the judging panel for the pageant interviews. The pageant was expertly directed by Jennifer Lovelace, ensuring a night of elegance and excitement. Pageant host s Florence Garcia and Ashli Small capt ivated the att endees with their charm and wit , seamlessly guiding the event and keeping the audience engaged throughout the evening.

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66777Photos by Josegre

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888PHOTOS BY JOSEGRESIM ON A L AZ IN SK

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88999Question 1: Simona, your journey from overcoming significant adversit ies t o becom ing an esteemed author and philanthropist is t ruly inspiring. How did your personal experiences shape the practical t ools and strat egies you out line in "The Bridge Method"?Answer: My personal experiences have been the cornerstone of "The Bridge Method." Facing adversity upon my arrival in t he United St at es, I had to find ways to navigate challenges and build a new life from scrat ch. These experiences taught me t he import ance of resilience, optimism, and t he power of small, consistent actions. Each st rat egy and t ool in the book st ems from what I found effective in my own life. I wanted t o creat e a guide t hat was not just theoretical but grounded in real-world application. My goal is to show readers that no matter the difficult y t hey face, t here is a way forward. By sharing my journey and the lessons I've learned, I hope to empower others to overcome their obstacles and discover their strengt h and pot ential.Question 2: Balancing your roles as a dedicat ed wife, stepmother, business owner, and philanthropist is no small feat. How do you manage these diverse responsibilit ies while cont inuing t o advocate for female ent repreneurs and inspire others through your philant hropic work?Answer: Balancing these roles requires a blend of time management , priorit ization, and a deep sense of purpose. My husband Jack and I support each ot her in our business ventures, which allows us t o manage our responsibilit ies more effectively. Delegat ion is also key; having a st rong team at Past and Present Mot or Cars and Economical Quality Products enables me to focus on strategic decisions and philant hropic efforts. Advocacy for female ent repreneurs is part icularly close to my heart, and I dedicate specific times to ment or and support women in their business journeys. Moreover, my philanthropic work, especially as Mrs. Florida Int ernational and Ms. Woman Ent repreneur International, is driven by my commitment to giving back and fostering a communit y of empowered individuals. By staying organized and cont inually reassessing my priorities, I ensure that each role I undertake receives the attent ion and passion it deserves. SIM ON A L AZ IN SKPhotos by Carlos Velez Studios

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121212WORLD'S FIRST MISS AI PAGEANT Kenza LayliLocation: MoroccoSHORTLIST FOR MISS AI REVEALED - WITH AI CREATORS FROM AROUND THE WORLD COMPETING FOR THE COVETED TITLE AND $20K IN PRIZESSeren AyLocation: TurkeyAilya LouLocation:Brazil

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1212131313The Top 10 shortlist for Miss AI, t he first installment of the Fanvue World AI Creator Awards (the WAICAs), has been unveiled.Miss AI was announced in April and received global attent ion as t he first award of its kind to recognize t he talent and achievements of AI creators around the world.A staggering 1,500 AI creators entered the awards from territories including the US, Africa, Sout h America, India, Japan, Sout h Korea, and Europe.The esteemed judging panel, made up of Aitana Lopez and Emily Pellegrini - two of the world?s biggest AI creators, leading pageant ry historian Sally Ann Fawcett, and highly respect ed Marketing and PR guru Andrew Bloch - assessed the cont estants based on three criteria: realism, t ech, and social clout .The Fanvue World AI Creator Awards uncovered creators from all corners of the globe that represent t he very best of t he AI creator industry. The shortlist includes Kenza Layli from Morocco, who has amassed 186k followers on Inst agram and promotes t he empowerment of women in the Middle East. Anne Kerdi is the face for tourism in Britt any, France, promot ing the hist ory, cult ure, and gastronomy of t he region - and is even an ambassador for Oceanopolis - a program for ocean conservation. Aiyana Rainbow is a voice for LGBTQ+ acceptance and promotes love and diversit y on her Instagram - even selling her own merchandise t o fans. The short listed contestant s will now compete for a place in the Top 3, which will be announced at the end of June via the world?s first AI-generated awards ceremony. The t otal prize package is wort h over $20,000 and the creator who lands the coveted Miss AI crown will earn themselves $5,000 in cash, along with a package of perks including promotion on the Fanvue plat form, and a dedicat ed publicist to help grow their reach to new audiences.Founding partner of the WAICAs, Fanvue, has quickly established itself as t he pioneer platform in the AI creator space, which is estimated to be worth over 1 billion in 2024, and part of a wider creator economy valued at over $250 billion. which made Fanvue an obvious founding part ner for t he inaugural awards to raise st andards wit hin the indust ry, recognize AI creators' achievement s, and celebrate t heir success around the world.Leading pageantry hist orian, Sally Ann Fawcett, commented:"Being part of t he world's first AI pageant has been a fantast ic experience. Having been a judge on Miss Great Brit ain for the past 10 years, and writt en a number of books on pageantry, I was fascinated to see the sort of entries we'd get into this contest. The realism of each contestant and their individual stories and what they're doing to be a positive influence on t he world really stood out to me.Like t raditional pageant ry, there is always more work to do for AI creators to be more represent ative and champion real people, from all backgrounds, and all shapes, and sizes. Real-life pageant ry has evolved over decades t o becom e more inclusive and representat ive, which is something I'm really proud of. But what ?s exciting about t his new form of pageantry is that AI creators can be part of this evolut ion on fast-forward thanks to t echnology. The Fanvue World AI Creator Awards will be a big part of driving t hat on.?SALLY ANN FAWCETT

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141414Olivia CLocation: PortugalAnne KerdiLocation: FranceLalinaLocation: FranceWORLD'S FIRST MISS AI PAGEANT

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1414151515Tracy DePaola Zara ShatavariLocation: IndiaAiyana RainbowLocation: RomaniaEliza KhanLocation:BangladeshAsena IlikLocation: Turkey

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161616MRS. NORTH CAROLINA AMERICANMADELINE STEWART

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1616171717Madeline is t he Direct or of Marketing and Merchandising at the Mustard Seed Market and Home in Blowing Rock, NC. She is also an ASID Certified Interior Designer, hip-hop teacher, student ment or, and Project HEAL am bassador. In 2024, Madeline founded the Cheers For Charity campaign as a fundraiser for Project HEAL, with the mission of helping individuals find hope and treatment when st ruggling with an eating disorder. She received the Future Leader Award in 2020 from Withit and was recognized in 2023 as a Retail Star, as well as a leading executive in the People To Watch edit ion of Home Accent s Today Magazine. Madeline was crowned the 2024 Mrs. Nort h Carolina American and will compete in t he Mrs. American national pageant in Las Vegas, NV, in August.Jillian Marie Beauty

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1818191919Coaching Sesh: How to Crown Yourself with Confidence!1.Embrace your inner unicornJust like unicorns with their unique horns, you were born wit h qualities and talents that make you one-of-a-kind. Unicorns certainly wouldn?t shy away from admiration, and neither should you girl! Remember to be humble, but also know it ?s wonderful t o share your passions and dreams wit h the world, especially when competing in your pageant. Embracing what makes you special is the first step t o becoming a confident queen!2.Remember your WHYWith all the stress of finding time for interview prep, beaut y appoint ments, pract icing your killer walk, and everyt hing else t hat comes with prepping for your pageant, it can be a litt le t ricky to remember why you even ent ered in the first place. Take a breath, and ask yourself: Why? Not only will your answer to this simple question help you stand out during competition, but it will prove exact ly ~ why ~ you deserve the crown to the most important person of all: YOU!3.Trust in your prepDon?t let worrying dull your sparkle! Think of all the hours of hard work and prep that you?ve already put in, and trust in your dedicat ion. If you still feel like that ?s not enough, there?s always time to practice a few questions inst ead of letting stress stop your moment um. Trust in the process and confidence will follow, whether you're taking your first step onto the stage, or practicing your routine at home. You got this girl!4.Self-love is your superpower!Most import antly, positive self-talk will get rid of any pesky self-doubts you have about competing. St art pract icing self-love daily: first thing in the morning, write down 5 things you like about yourself, are grateful for, or want to achieve. You can even repeat these affirmat ions in front of the mirror, just like talking to a friend! Start your day off with a lit tle bit of kindness, and you?ll be crowned with confidence in no time.

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202020M OD EL PROFIL E KI KI RAFFETY

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2020212121SENIOR AMERICA 2023AUSTIN RYDE

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2222232323DORIAN QD PHOTOGRAPHYLISA G ARTISTRY

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242424Alicia Monje's passion for designing traces back to her family's four generations of dressmaking. Monje embraced the role of a designer when she decided t o enter her daught er in a pageant, determined to creat e a unique dress for her daughter's first competition. Since then, she has been designing clothing for pageants, weddings, quinceaƱeras, mommy-and-daught er out fit s, birthdays, and much more.In the past year, her clothing line has been showcased at New York Fashion Week, Florida Fashion Week, and Paris Fashion Week, with her dresses traveling across the globe. She has been nominated as Gown Designer of the Year, competing with renowned brands such as Sherri Hill and Jovani. Her designs have won numerous awards, including Best in Fashion, Best in Interview, and Best in Evening Wear at local, city, state, national, and international pageant sD ESIGN ER

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2424252525REGIN A'S COUT URE

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2828292929Shlanda Breeden was crowned t he new Ms. National US for the Miss Nat ional US pageant. For more informat ion about the pageant visit Miss National US . Shlanda is ut ilizing her reign to act as a communit y leader and animal advocat e on behalf of her communit y while part nering wit h the Canines for Cancer Associat ion and Miranda?s People, organizations that provide financial assistance for people wit h pets suffering from cancer.Service is at t he forefront of Shlanda?s passion for helping animals in need. She created her own personal initiative, Canines for Cancer, aft er her bullmastiff named Dutch was diagnosed wit h cancer. Many people are forced to put their pets down when facing the high cost of medical care that comes wit h being a pet parent . Shlanda uses her tit le t o provide life-saving financial informat ion to pet owners and direct s t hem on ways to cut down expenses for their pets' veterinary care.Shlanda has partnered with the Canines for Cancer Association (website:wearethecure.org) t o help educat e dog owners (pet parent s) on how to detect cancer in their fur babies early. She has also reached out to an organization called Miranda?s People (website:mirandaspeople.org), which provides financial assistance to those needing medication or surgery for their pets with cancer.Outside of her dedicat ion to service and animal care, Shlanda is a mult ifaceted tit leholder. She works as an account ing officer for t he State of California and is t he owner of a pet party business called Kit Kat Poochie Parties. Shlanda also enjoys spending time with her four dogs: two pit bulls, Capone and Little Girl, and two chihuahuas, Lit tle Boy and Peanut . Shlanda was also awarded the President ?s Volunteer Service Award, the highest award in the pageant industry, and was recognized as best actress and art ist.As an ambassador, leader, and educat or, Shlanda plans t o use her t itle to cont inue spreading the word that pet owners can afford medication for their fur babies while being financially responsible.The Miss Nat ional US pageant organization is a community service-based pageant that prides itself on helping girls and women grow their confidence and leadership skills through positive experiences, communit y service events, personal development workshops, modeling and performing opportunities, and much more.Please consider Shlanda Breeden for appearances, media opportunities, and speaking engagements and sponsorship.. Phot os by Tracy DePaola

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3030313131JeanAn ne RobertsReleases H er D ebut Book "It?s N ever Too L ate to Fin d Your Cr ow n"

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323232JEAN AN N E ROBERT SThe best phrase to describe my book is ?Hope.? I want to give wom en and men hope that God sees their buried dreams. Even when we have given up or forgotten, God is faithful.Winning t he crown of Mrs. DC America 2020 at 55 changed my life overnight. This motivat ed me t o writ e this book t o inspire millions of women, including myself, who think it ?s too late. My message is clear: ?It is not t oo late? to be beaut iful, accomplished, and to capt ure the crown.I was also motivat ed t o write this book to speak to the younger generat ion (my daughter is 15 and my son is 17), lett ing them know that failure is not final. Recount ing m y experience at the age of 18, I lost my st ate pageant (after winning two local crowns: Miss Magnolia Fair and Miss Mingo County) and t hought my pageant days were over. But time has t aught me that if you do not give up, failure and learning from your mistakes can prepare you to win or recapture the crown.Some of t he topics I discuss in t he book include ?History of Beaut y Pageants,? ?The Hidden Cost ? (How much does it cost to compete in a pageant?), and ?The Pageant PlayBook? (A st ep-by-step guide to preparing to win the crown).The biggest misconception about pageant ry is that it is for t he superficial and unintelligent. In my book, I address this by asking Arnold Schwarzenegger what he t hinks about pageantry. He competed in bodybuilding pageants start ing in a small village in Austria, which led him to the biggest stages in the world, becoming a Hollywood icon and powerful political figure.JeanAnne Roberts is the current Miss Bikini Fitness West Virginia and will compete for the Miss Bikini Fitness USA title in July 2024.

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3232333333JeanAnne Roberts, crowned Mrs. DC Am erica in 2020, is excit ed t o announce t he launch of her first book, ?It ?s Never Too Late to Find Your Crown.? The book was released on June 4t h, 2024, and is available for purchase on Am azon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and TBN.At the age of 55, JeanAnne Roberts, a dedicat ed stay-at-home mom, competed wit h women up to 30 years her junior and won the prestigious title of Mrs. DC America during the challenging times of a global pandemic. Her inspirational book chronicles her remarkable journey from childhood t o achieving her crown, aiming to inspire people of all generations that set backs are not t he end, and with determination and vision, anyone can reach their highest aspirations.In ?It ?s Never Too Lat e to Find Your Crown,? readers will discover:- Fortune ?Favors the Bold?- You are the writer, producer, and act or of your own fairytale.- Sometimes you just have to laugh and adjust your crown.- Failure isn?t final ? just when you think it is over, the door opens.- Go Get Your CrownJeanAnne shares, ?My entire life, from being deemed unlovable to being hugged by t he world, prepared me t o write this book so I could inspire millions that it ?s never too late.?Order ?It ?s Never Too Lat e t o Find Your Crown? today on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, and TBN.For int erview requests with JeanAnne Roberts, please contact: Email:jeananne.roberts@gmail.comInstagram: @JeanAnne.Roberts Facebook: JeanAnne Roberts Cell: (610) 585-7853JeanAn ne RobertsReleases H er D ebut Book "It?s N ever Too L ate to Fin d Your Cr ow n"

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343434Mariah Larocque is the reigning Miss USA Revolutionary 2024. She is a director, phot ographer, screenwrit er, film m aker, and human trafficking advocate. She graduat ed from the University of Sout hern Maine in 2021, where she honed her skills in film, theatre, writing, and act ing. With 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Mariah has recent ly writt en, produced, and directed a proof of concept for her feature film "Good Morning Sunshine." As a lover of the arts, an independent ent repreneur, and a current candidate pursuing a Master's Degree in Film m aking, Mariah established Mariah Larocque Photography."As a survivor of child sexual exploit ation, I?m proud to share that aft er years of fear and silence, I found t he st rengt h and courage t o use m y voice and story to help create change. My platform , 'A Survivor's Purpose,' aims to raise awareness around human trafficking and child sexual exploitation. By combining my passion for advocacy and my love of art, I have created a proof of concept film called 'Good Morning Sunshine' that sheds light on the topic of child exploitat ion and has raised t housands of dollars to help com bat t he cause. I have big plans for t his film, but m y hope is t hat the proof of concept helps ot hers know they are not alone and cult ivates a space for important conversations on the mat t er of child advocacy and safety. I am currently in the fundraising phase for a hopeful feature film. If you would like t o watch the proof of concept , here is t he link: Good Morning Sunshine Film . Know that 10% of your donat ion to view goes straight towards com bating hum an trafficking, and t he remaining amount goes towards the feat ure film ."Mariah's plat form is "A Survivor 's Purpose: End Child Sexual Exploitation and Human Trafficking." Thrive New England is a grassroot s organization in Maine that helps educat e communit ies in the greater New England area on human trafficking and child sexual exploitation. Not only do t hey focus on education, but t hey also prioritize restorat ion and prevention in t heir work. Prevention st arts with our yout h; the more we can help cult ivate awareness and self-advocacy, t he stronger and safer our children are. Restoration is provided for those coming out of trafficking and exploitat ive situations. Thrive helps survivors get back on t heir feet , gently guiding t hem through a healing journey program and aiding them in achieving self-sustaining, safe, and fulfilling lives.Their work is tremendously difficult and important, and I?m deeply grateful to be partnered wit h them. I have been volunt eering wit h t hem since 2020 and continue t o do so. I have helped raise thousands of dollars for Thrive?s continued effort s and will cont inue to do so t hroughout my life.Her journey on the st age and in film , coupled with her t im e in the Miss New Hampshire, Miss Maine, and Revolutionary Pageant Programs, has sculpted her eye for the cam era lens. She offers a unique perspect ive and insight and has cultivat ed indispensable skills in art istic collaboration, problem-solving, and int erpersonal communication. Her experience in pageantry has not always been positive, but wit h the help of Revolutionary Pageant s, she plans to cont inue to advocate for change in t he industry t o help equip ot hers with opport unities to grow, t hrive, and make a difference. She is passionate about advocating for her platform , challenging herself to step out of her com fort zone, and aligning herself with organizat ions that are inclusive to women of all walks of life.M ariah L arocque Actress, Producer, D irectorKn ow n for: Right in Fron t of M E, T rust M e, Good M or n in g Sunshine

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3434353535Mariah competes for t he Internat ional title of Miss Revolutionary in Las Vegas, Nevada, in February 2025. She will continue to inspire others with her advocacy work through film-making and has already m ade an impact by being a role model for others. The com petition will take place at Paris Hotel and Casino, a Caesars Entert ainment propert y. She is looking forward to represent ing t he Unit ed States on an int ernational level if she wins the crown.M iss USA Revolution ary 20 24

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4040414141CROW N S M AGAZ IN E L IN KSM ORE L IN KS FOR YOU !

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