The Miss Argentina who wants the throne of the world and defends the contests: "They do not reify us"

It is the second time that she appeared in the

.

She did it at the age of 18, representing Buenos Aires, she competed with candidates from different provinces, and was not selected.

Nearly a decade later, he tried again.

The rules of the contest had changed, now the selection was through interviews with members of the jury of the international contest.

For the first time

and the winner had to have a

as a woman.

This time the winner will be the Argentine representative in Miss Universe.

For most of the world, it's still a beauty pageant, with slender, giggling girls vying for the world crown.

But for Bárbara Cabrera (27) it is much more: “A contest made by women and for women.

”, She assures.

In the 71st edition, which takes place at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, in the city of New Orleans, in the southern United States,

.

And she competes with 85 applicants from different countries.

Their seeding stage has been

.

She managed to attract the attention of the jury in the pass in mesh covered with a cape that on her back carried the image of a woman with albiceleste birds that represent freedom.

Although various media published that

: "It is a female face that represents all women regardless of race or ideologies,

."

The wardrobe chosen by Bárbara for the

caused an impact: a tribute to the Iguazú Falls, which looked like a queen of a comparsa, made with recycled materials and in the center a rainbow as a recognition of the rights of the LGBTQ+ community.

Bárbara Cabrera, the Argentine who competes to be Miss Universe, with the homage to the Falls.

The die is cast.

The definition is this Saturday with the choice of the 16 classified participants and at the end of the night, the winner will be known.

The pageant that millions of people follow will be televised by DirecTV, the Telemundo network and the Miss Universe YouTube channel, at 10 p.m. in Argentina.

The only time an Argentinian woman won the

.

The crown went to Norma Beatriz Nolan.

The contestants in one of the previous rounds, in New Orleans.

Photo EFE

Who is Barbara Cabrera?

He was born in the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, in August 1996 and is 27 years old.

At the age of 20, she moved to work in Panama.

He returned to Argentina and settled in Puerto Madero.

He began studying Business Administration.

She then launched her clothing brand,

, which is her main professional project.

On Wednesday, January 11, after the preliminary parade of the candidates, she wrote on Instagram: “One of the most magical nights of my entire life.

I have mixed emotions because it is literally

.

And I have nothing left but to thank my love for the unconditional support, my family and friends, the designers who were part of this adventure, and all the professionals who accompanied me from day 1”.

The precious crown of Miss Universe.

Photo EFE

--Has Miss Universe ceased to be a beauty pageant?

--It is so important that you are not only looking for a beautiful woman, but an integral beauty, who

for other people to achieve their goals.

They qualify you for your physical beauty but also your history, your goals, and how you perform in various instances.

We have lived with all the contestants for 14 days in the hotel, then we gave interviews with the juries who ask you questions about projects, the profession, knowledge of languages ​​and our values ​​as people.

It is not just the show that is seen on TV, there are several instances with the jury that are not shown on television.

Cabrera applied for the second time to the contest.

--How does this contest help other women?

--In recent years the format has changed a lot and the winner of Miss Universe is the bearer of a great message and serves as an inspiration for many women.

Many times the winner has to

.

Last year was everything related to menstrual equity, the female hormonal cycle, and how to raise awareness and inform so that all women have access to resources and know how their bodies work.

--What has it meant to you to be selected?

--Miss Universe changed many things in my life, it was

.

It is a very demanding contest where each candidate gives the best version of her, physically and spiritually.

To get to this contest I had several months of preparation: I studied public speaking, English, I focused on a social project (I collaborate with Margarita Barrientos's dining room) and I launched my clothing brand.

I hope that through my story I can be an inspiration for other women to reach their full potential.

-- Do you feel that you are among the favorites of the public?

--I feel super supported by the followers of social networks.

There can be positive and negative reviews, but I always prefer to lean on the positive.

If it's heat or bullying, that's wrong.

I am in favor of constructive criticism but not bullying.

I have received very nice messages from people who tell me that their daughters are my fans or what I am doing is beautiful.

--Does the contest generate job opportunities?

--In my case, I am developing my own clothing brand but I would also like to work on television, as a host, in a reality show related to fashion, beauty, or the artistic world.

I would also like to continue working as a commercial model, something I did as a child and I like it.

Model and entrepreneur, she says she wants to dedicate herself to the media.

--What other personal projects do you have?

--In the future I see myself having children.

I am a super hard-working, independent woman, but my big project in life is to start a family (she is in a relationship with Alejandro Transmonte) and I want to be a mother.

I'm going to focus on that too.

--Is it very difficult to be among the 16 finalists, what does it depend on?

--This year there are very strong candidates, very prepared and they are all at a very good level.

It is not impossible.

Being selected among the finalists will depend on the interviews with the jury, which were in Spanish and English, and on my answers about what I think about Miss Universe, why it is important to support women, what causes would I support if I win the contest. .. This year we had to talk about gender violence, about the importance of raising awareness about women's rights because we are looking for a leading woman who through her story can inspire and transform other women to fulfill their dreams and be top.

--Where did the inspiration for your typical costume come from and what was the message?

--It was made by the designer Horacio Gómez from Corrientes, he is a wonderful creator who contacted me.

, made of recycled materials, it is a very heavy suit and I was able to walk it quite comfortably.

The public reception was very positive.

I think it was the best outfit of the night.

When I went on stage, a lot of people were shocked and the audience was in an uproar when they saw the suit I was wearing.

--What was the message?

--Being made of recycled materials, it has a double message, spreading care for the environment, and showing the landscapes, tourism and Argentine culture.

The second message was in the center of the suit.

I was wearing a rainbow because in the Falls when it rains the sun rises and the rainbow is formed but, also, a tribute to the LGBTIQ+ community, because I think it's important to support sexual diversity.

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