A highly-decorated pageant queen from Dollingstown is hoping to “make history” for Northern Ireland in less than a week’s time by jetting off to Florida to participate in “one of the biggest pageants in America”.
Although admits she sort of “fell into” pageantry around ten years ago, today the 36-year-old mother-of-one lives for the competition… and all she says it represents.
Having spent years modelling in her youth, Anouska Black says she had been aware of pageants but never really thought about entering one. She had an idea – as many do – of what a pageant was and she just didn’t think she fit the bill.
Speaking to Armagh I, the four-time Ms United Kingdom title holder explained: “I didn’t even know pageants were really a thing here. I had heard of Miss Northern Ireland but due to my age and being a mum that was me disqualified at the time and I thought that was the only thing but there was height restrictions and size restrictions so it never even crossed my mind.”
Anouska lives with endometriosis – which she was diagnosed with aged 19 – and during recovery of her third surgery to ease the condition where she was “couch-bound and mindlessly scrolling” through social media when she discovered an ad for the ‘Face of Northern Ireland’.
She entered thinking it was a modelling campaign… but it was actually her gateway into pageantry.
“It was charity-based, community-based, you had an interview. I was thrown in at the deep end but I won Miss Congeniality!” she said.
The community-centric focus of the competition – and the fact that the criteria wasn’t at all what she had imagined – had her hooked. One thing led to another and over the years she continuously “fell into” one pageant after another collecting title after title.
She also went on to direct several pageants locally before deciding to give the American pageant scene a rattle.
Anouska partaking in her community service delivering a box of period product to schools
In 2019 she handed over her Crown and Glory title and entered into the Royal International Miss United Kingdom competition in Florida – which she also went on to win, firmly cementing herself in the world of pageantry as a notable competitor.
The stage was bigger, there were so many more competitors and the crowds in attendance were much bigger, she says, but she also had a couple of years’ experience under her belt… and clearly, it showed.
Just weeks ago Anouska entered into the 9th year of the International United Miss (IUM) competition in Florida after winning her fourth Ms United Kingdom title.
She will be representing Ireland and the United Kingdom in the competition and will be the first woman from Northern Ireland competing within the pageant.
Of the opportunity, she said: “To bring home the international crown and title, would make history for Northern Ireland as I would be first international title holder of the pageant system and, in fact in Ireland, since 2003 when Rosanna Davison won Miss World.
“I am now 36-years-old and a mother – two identities that disqualify me from many grand slam systems such as Miss Northern Ireland / Ireland – and not what you may think of when you think of a beauty queen representing her country!
“But it is my mission to show that age, size and physical ability do not define your worth or stop you from chasing your dreams.”
IUM prides itself on its ‘Be Heroic’ motto – an acronym for Honesty, Empathy, Respect, Optimism, Integrity and Community – one that Anouska feels she embodies wholeheartedly and it’s part of the reason she is so privileged to be a finalist in the competition.
As part of the competition, the participants must demonstrate their commitment to the various elements within the motto with community work alone contributing a total of 10% to their overall score.
They are required to undertake at least three hours of community service to receive the full 10% score. But Anouska has far surpassed the minimum requirement.
Of her community work, Anouska said: “I am pleased to say since I was crowned in March, I have completed 50 hours community service and have donated over 120 safe sanitary products to local schools, food banks and hospital, as part of my Project P Period Ambassadorship.”
Her voluntary community work is also closely linked to her desire to spread awareness for better endometriosis care – something she feels men should also become more involved with to help support friends, family and colleagues that suffer with the debilitating condition.
Anouska is also an ambassador for Just A Chat Mental Health charity, an organisation set up by two friends in Craigavon, to provide free mental health workshops and crucial support to those who need it.
In the other stages of the competition there are also various optional rounds including talent, casual wear and top model, with the main competition being held over across the week.
All participants must deliver a personal speech, take part in panel interviews, with stage work and pSUBBresence being considered.
She said: “I am extremely excited for this opportunity being around the corner and am in the final push to make my dream becoming reality.
“The support I am receiving from the pageant community, sponsors, businesses, social media and local community here is truly touching.
“I hope to lead by example and inspire other girls and women that you do not have to be a size six and six foot tall to be a beauty queen or to enjoy pageantry.
“I want to show my journey and continue raising more vital awareness for endometriosis and the Just A Chat Mental Health charity, continuing to help other local and national charities and other girls and women fulfil their wildest dreams.”
