Get to Know: Miss USA International Stephanie Almeida

Stephanie Ellen Almeida has been the USA representative for numerous international pageants and has been a spokesperson for charitable organizations around the world. I met Stephanie two summers ago in Greece as we competed together at an international beauty pageant, where I represented Macao and she represented the USA. I instantly adored her with her vivacious personality and love for being a total goof ball. During our time in Greece, we were the girls that wanted to play in the ball pit, race in the pool, and dance the night away. She was always the life of the party, and I admired how she always remained true to her values and spoke up for what she believed in.

But what’s most impressive is her international pageant and travel experience. She has represented the USA in numerous pageant systems overseas and has visited so many countries in just a few years. Learn more about her in our latest Lady Code Interview below.

E: What are you most known for?

S: I would say most people know me for my international Hosting and Charity Work. I have traveled all over the world including France, Malaysia, and New York hosting events like beauty pageants, fashion shows, and charitable fundraisers. I’ve helped to raised thousands of dollars for breast cancer research, local schools, and orphanages. I really love giving back and I get to travel the world doing it. As Miss USA International, I’ve really been given great opportunity and responsibility.

E:  Did you know you were going to do something like this when you were younger?

S: I always new I was going to make a difference in the world but I didn’t know how. One year after leaving my job at NBC, which was very fast paced and crazy, I made a vision board of everything I wanted in my career, personal life, and relationships. Since that day my life completely changed and I now live the life I have always dreamed. I travel all over the world, I get to be pretty and glamorous, I’m raising money doing what I love and now I’m giving others the opportunity to do so as well. It is really a dream.

E: What was the biggest obstacle you had to overcome?

S: I think maintaining balance and a clear vision is my biggest obstacle to success constantly. As someone who is always chasing the next opportunity and hates being stagnant, a lot of different things come your way. You have to always ask yourself “Is this going to get you closer to your end goal?” I wake up every morning and re-write my goals  and revisit my vision board. I’m not saying that you should never take new opportunities and work outside your comfort zone. But in a world that’s so fast paced, it’s really easy to lose focus. So I find having at least a guideline of what you want is very important.

E: How have you been able to empower women through your platform?

S: I have traveled to countries like India, China, and Malaysia speaking to young girls at public schools, speaking at protests and rally’s to stop women abuse and female fetal abortion, and since my reign began as Miss USA International I have sent two other American girls I have found to be true leaders in my place to fight for what they believe in. It has really been an honor to finally be able to give other women an opportunity to travel and change the world.

E: What inspired you to get into pageants?

My dream was always to change the world and an opportunity for an unbelievable platform presented itself to me in the form of beauty pageants and I seized it. It has now become 3 years of brand building, traveling, networking, and making lasting friendships. I really think people underestimate pageants and pageant girls but really most of these girls go into a pageant with a platform and a vision and use their beauty as a medium and I really think that is really #ladyboss!

E: How do you handle haters?

S:I have been very lucky to have such an amazing support team, family and loved ones that always push me and support me. However, sometimes it can feel like you’re doing it all alone even with all the support in the world. It is in those moments that the negative comments and naysayers really get to you and you feel like you should just quit and get a job at the local Starbucks. What I would say is just always go back to your vision and why you are doing what you’re doing. Usually that reminds me that the years of work wasn’t for anyone else but me so why does anyone else’s opinion of it matter but mine. If you find that you are doing what you are doing so that you look good or successful to others than maybe you should reevaluate your vision.

E: What do you love most about being a woman?

S: There are so many things I love about being a women! The clothes, and shoes, and hair and makeup and glamour. But aside from the really girly stuff I love being a women in a group of women coming together. Having spent months at a time surrounded by women from all over the world I have come to realize that there is nothing stronger that girl power! When a group of women gets together and supports each other anything is possible. The same is said for the opposite as I feel that women can also be women’s worst enemy. It is so important that we all love a support each other. There will always be enough beauty and success (and men) to go around!

E: What is a typical week for you?

S: I travel most months of the year so my week usually consists of a strict training schedule (3 x week) of very clean eating and recovering from jetlag. The past three months for me really took a toll on my routine. I was in Australia for a week, then Vancouver for fashion week, then to Malaysia, then Singapore, back to New York to soon embark on a trip to Mexico. I almost never know what time zone my body is on. It is super important to stay healthy and on schedule as much as you can. I do still have a lot of fun and go out with friends a lot but even small things like getting up at the same time everyday, sticking to a relatively similar diet, and keeping up you hygienic schedule can make all the difference. For a beauty queen that is not always easy.

E: What is one thing you need to share with all the young ladies reading this article?

S: I want girls reading this to never believe in the impossible. If you would have told me 3 years ago that my life would be what it is today I would have laughed. Opportunities in life can come fast and hard and you need to have a clear vision and values in order to take the seed you’re given and grow it into a fruitful tree. You may not always be given everything right away but one small opportunity can turn into a life changing one if you put in the work and go in the direction of your dreams.

E: What do you plan to do in the future?

S: My plan for The Miss USA International Organization and myself is to continue to grow so that I can continue to send more and more powerful women all over the world to inspire other women and young girls. My goal is to work closely with more charitable organizations and use beauty and brains to change the world. I hope that my platform as Miss USA International expands into a lifestyle brand where people can find great travel advice and international opportunities and products. I am happy to say that I have also sent my first male representative abroad so I hope to grow this into more than just female beauty but beauty in all humanity. My vision and ultimate goal is to leave this world better than I found it.

E: How can our readers get involved in your cause?

S: You can visit my site www.missusainternational.com or visit our Instagram page @missusainternational. We have many opportunities for men and women to get involved and make a difference on a global scale.