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Amanda Dudamel, Venezuela - Q (from Wendy Fitzwiliam): Tell me about the time you felt shame and how you turned that feeling into fuel? | A: 'Good evening New Orleans! Thank you for your question. I actually have a press conference which is called 'The Forbidden Dream,' which talks about that dream I had when I wanted to become a fashion designer. I felt shame about it. I didn’t feel it was possible for me to sustain my life but I pursued it and I demonstrated myself which was the most importantly: That following our dreams, our passions, we are able to leave an impact stamp in every single action that we take.'Miss Universe Organization
R'Bonney Gabriel, USA - Q (from Mara Martin): Miss Universe recently made an inclusive change allowing mothers and married women to join this year. What’s another change you’d like to see and why? | A: 'For me, ’d like to see an age increase because I am 28 years old, and that is the oldest age to compete. And I think it’s a beautiful thing. My favorite quote is: 'If not now, then when?' Because as woman, I believe that age doesn’t define us. It’s not tomorrow, it’s not yesterday, but it’s now. The time is now, and that you can go after what you want.'Miss Universe Organization
Ashley Cariño, Puerto Rico - Q (from Big Freedia): If you were crowned Miss Universe, how would you represent all of these delegates throughout your reign? | A: 'I would represent all these delegates because I am a mirror of what a women is. I believe in the dream and power that we all hold to make our dreams a reality. That is why I’m standing here today. I know what it’s like to not believe in your dream, butI also know what it’s like to find a voice. We are the voice of tomorrow, so let your voice echo in the chamber of time. Because this is the power that we have. And I will represent the woman like that.'Miss Universe Organization
Gabriëla Dos Santos, Curaçao - Q (from Olivia Quido): If you had the opportunity to speak with the leader of your country, what would you want to discuss?A: 'Hi, good evening New Orleans! How are you doing today? I think there’s a lot to be discussed. And I believe that Curaçao is a multicultural country, and I believe that we should embrace all different cultures and also discuss the fact that I feel like sometimes, people feel excluded and we should not discriminate or have any type of bullying in the country. Thank you!'Miss Universe Organization
Andreína Martínez, Dominican Republic. - Q (from Emily Austin): What is the most significant obstacle the woman in your country face, and what should be done about it? | A: 'I believe that the most significant obstacle that women in my country face is access to education. There’s a number of women and children in the Dominican Republic that cannot go to school, and who have lack of access to go to that. And I believe that we have to do something about it now. We need to make sure that kids are able to be kids, able to play, to educate themselves, not be mothers not be wives. It is the moment now to take action to make sure the Dominican Republic has [access to] education. Thank you.'Miss Universe Organization
