Miss World Malta DONNA BORG LEYLAND will celebrate her 21st birthday on the night of the Miss World Pageant in Indonesia. The Malta Independent met the girl with the exotic looks and friendly personality a few weeks before she embarked on the month-long trek that will hopefully end with a double celebration.
Photos by Bernard Polidano, make-up by Natasha Polidano
FIRST met Donna Borg Leyland as she was preparing for her epic one-month trip to Indonesia, where she will represent Malta in the 63rd edition of the Miss World pageant. The final will be held at the Sentul International Convention Centre on Saturday 28 September. That evening, Yu Wenxia of China will crown her successor. Will Donna be the one this year?
Miss World Malta works as a receptionist at the new Beauty Lounge situated at Windsor Terrace, Sliema, and the place definitely benefits from hers being the first face you encounter when you enter.
Her exotic features are a wonderful advertisement for the establishment, and they are often the subject of questions she is asked when meeting new people.
“I’m a half-British, half-Costa Rican resident of Attard,” she beams in perfect Maltese. It turns out Donna’s maternal grandmother was Maltese and that’s why Donna’s British mum moved to settle here.
The Costa Rican connection is also infused with a Maltese element as Donna’s paternal grandmother was also a Maltese, who married a Costa Rican. Their son married Donna’s mum and Donna has lived here all her life. ’tis so true when they say we Maltese get everywhere, in one way or another…
Donna, however, has never been to Costa Rica, although she is well-aware that the girls from that part of the world often end up winning the Miss World contest.
One place she has been to is California, a place she loved so much she felt she could easily settle there.
“I have relatives who I stayed with there and it was so beautiful. I stayed for two months but I had some commitments in Malta so I came back. But I wouldn’t mind living there in the future. Who knows, maybe through the Miss World event I can make some contacts and end up modeling there…”
This leads us to her life’s ambitions.
“I’d love to see the world by working for an airline like Emirates but you have to be 21 to apply, so I am going to do so when I return from Indonesia. But obviously I’d love to be a model… I’d love to work for Victoria’s Secret – I think models like Candice Swanepoel, Erin Heatherton and Miranda Kerr are beautiful. But my favourite model of all time is Heidi Klum.”
Donna had started out in modeling at age 15 when she was approached by Marisa Grima for catwalk work and to do some photo shoots, one of which landed her a magazine cover.
“Sue and Claudia of Modelle International, the organizers of Miss World Malta, had been urging me to take part for some years, but I wanted to wait till I was ready. This year I felt confident enough, and had the time to dedicate myself to it, and it was a great experience.”
One has to ask the inevitable question about how she maintains such a great figure, but Donna replies that she doesn’t have any particular health secrets.
“I’m just careful about what I eat and stick to two good meals a day. I avoid green peppers because I hate them, and I have to be careful about how much bread I eat because I love it… and I also love a certain brand of crisps, so I really have to watch out when they’re around. As for exercise, I stay active and walk a lot, but that’s about it.”
Donna will be 21 on Miss World Pageant night. Asked about her feelings on this, she says she is quite nervous about the whole experience.
“I’m not sure what to expect – it’s going to be me, there, alone, for a whole month, apart from a few days when my father can visit me, so it sounds a bit scary, although I’m sure it will be well organized and fun. I’ve started befriending some of the other participants on Facebook and we’ve exchanging thoughts. At least I’ll already have some friends when I get there.
Has her life changed much since winning the title?
“Not that much, no,” she replies. “I’m a bit surprised at how some people’s attitude has changed – some reactions were a bit disappointing to be honest. For example, there are a couple of people who I thought of as friends who no longer text, and for some reason I’m not invited to certain parties any more… But on the other hand most people have been lovely and positive and very encouraging.”
To round up, we asked her what her expectations of the event are.
“Well, I’m trying not to feel pressured,” Donna explains. “I will go there and represent my country well – but to be honest I wish there was a little more recognition of the title, and perhaps a bit more support in the form of sponsorship.
“However I am happy that Miss World Malta is supported by some dedicated sponsors which makes the show more exciting each year. Although it’s a private organisation and not supported by the Government it has always been the top beauty contest organised locally, thanks to Modelle International, and I am very proud to have won. Wish me luck in?Indonesia!”
DETAILS
Born: 1992
Hometown: Attard
Job: Receptionist at the Beauty Lounge
Favourite model: Heidi Klum
Favourite sport: Long walks
Favourite music: No particular preference
Favourite film: Million Dollar Baby
Favourite actor: Clint Eastwood
Favourite trip: California, USA