“My sister looks up to me. She doesn’t even call me ‘sister’ anymore, she calls me ‘Miss International’.
“This is what my mum brought me into this country for, for more opportunities.
“I tell young people to never give up and if you don’t try, you’ll never succeed, to always believe in your dreams and to do things because you want to, not just for your family.”
While some people may find pageants really daunting, Chris-Ann spoke of the one thing that gets her nervous.
She said: “The only aspect I get nervous for is the interviews.
“You’re up in front of four to five judges and you have to be straight to the point as you can get marked down if you don’t actually answer the questions.
“My favourite thing on stage is showing my personality and showing my garments. People always say ‘I’ve never seen anyone who doesn’t care what other people think’ but everyone has their down days even though I am confident.
“I’ve always been able to speak to people. In my friendship group, they always push me to do things first.”
Chris-Ann doesn’t get paid to do pageants and said that competing and working as a social worker are like two full-time jobs.
She said: “Being a social worker is difficult, but rewarding. I studied this at university and I’m so blessed to have found a graduate job within a month.
“I work full-time and I’m the youngest in my office so I really do have to be proud and I’m empowered in my team. It’s daunting sometimes because of my age and I do doubt myself but my manager and team always reassure me.”
To Chris-Ann, pageants are about more than the money. It’s about representation, travelling, making friends and becoming more confident.
Though pageants can be expensive.
Chris-Ann said: “I get my dresses made.
“My entire wardrobe for Young European Miss International was handmade by a woman called Molly and I paid £500 for shipping.
“When I get to America, my hair and make-up will cost around £600. Pageants can be as cheap or as expensive as you want them to be.
“For me, I’d rather spend more to be my most confident self.”
In 2021, Chris-Ann’s mother was diagnosed with focal epilepsy, so her fashion colour for the American pageant is going to be purple, dedicated to her mum.
Chris-Ann said: “It has really shaken us all. “My mother is the youngest of six and my nan is only 64.
“My mum’s memory is fading and that’s hard because in a way, I’ve watched her grow too. I’m fundraising for the epilepsy society and for more research to be done into the condition.”