As Individual As You: Sofia Saidi

"I decided to take my career

seriously when I realized how much

I enjoyed being photographed and

to be part of new projects every time."

 

LOA: When did you first do a pageant?

Sofia Saidi: My first and only beauty pageant contest I participated was in 2019. It was called World Next Top Model in Beirut, Lebanon. I was contacted by the organization team a year in advance. I hesitated in the beginning, but considered that it could be a new fun experience and decided to participate.

 

LOA: When did you decide to be a model and how did you pursue your passion for modeling?

SS: I started part time modeling six years ago in Paris, while I was still studying. In the beginning it was just a hobby but during that time I had the opportunity to visit many countries like Japan, South Korea, Lebanon, Dubai and Casablanca for commercial and beauty campaigns.

In 2018, the international beauty pageant organization contacted me by email and invited me to represent my country Morocco. I was still studying and working as an apprentice at that time but I decided to try this new experience and that’s how I won the title of Miss Arab 2019/2020, and this year the jury decided to extend my title for 2020/2021 due to the pandemic.

I decided to take my career seriously when I realized how much I enjoyed being photographed and to be part of new projects every time. I like surprises, we never know in advance what makeup we will be wearing, what hair style, what mood board will be chosen for the session, so fun and exciting.

 

LOA: How was your experience at the Miss Arab pageant?

SS: I struggled a lot with the cultural issue, it was my very first contest, so I was a little bit lost in the beginning as many girls participating had been to multiple contests and had more experience than me, and of course as it was a competition, there were always some pressure situations and a few blows here and there, but nothing I could not handle.

Overall I enjoyed my time in Lebanon, made a lot of friends and learned a lot about beauty pageantry.

 

LOA: You defy the stereotypical beauty queen because you are just not a model but a beauty with brains. How important is a good academic background?

SS: My academic course was always a priority, on one hand because my parents pushed me and put the necessary means to achieve my studies and on the other hand, because I consider that a career of modeling only is ephemeral, superficial and unstable. One has to consider other routes and develop oneself into something else as well.

I studied in France. I have a bachelor degree in Business school in International Management and two Master’s degree in Strategic management, one in research from the University of Versailles where I was a valedictorian and a second professional one at University Paris Panthéon Assas.

I was even offered a position as a university professor. I worked in different large French companies as a project manager in the thermal, nuclear and automotive sector.
Ensuring my academic background was always important for me.

"For me representing my country is

representing its cultural background.

Moroccan culture is all about sharing an

environment that is both oriental and western."

 

LOA: Following your win, what have been your latest projects?

SS: Today I have my own consultancy company and work as a project manager for various sectors.

I do have many ongoing projects in the modeling industry, and also in social media, I am thinking of opening my own clothing brand with my best friend Miss Europe Giulia Raggazini. I have so many ideas, but I am short on time as I am already doing so many things in parallel.

 

LOA: Is it difficult having to juggle your day-to-day job with Miss Arab duties?

SS: It is, I barely have time for myself sometimes, but I feel good about it, I could not stand the classical working schedule jobs (9 to 5). I manage my days as long as I can respect the deadlines and deliver my work properly. I also work with international clients and the time zone is completely different.

It is pretty challenging, but I’m managing it pretty well for the moment, and I have a few assistants to help me when I am overworked.

 

LOA: How important was it for you to represent your country?

SS: For me representing my country is representing its cultural background, Moroccan culture is all about sharing an environment that is both oriental and western. This mix is the wealth of this beautiful country. I’m proud to be Moroccan because this nationality is one of the few that adapts to different environments and backgrounds easily, both linguistically and socially.

 

LOA: You’ve been re-elected as Miss Arab 2020. What happens now? What does the next year look like?

SS: Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic and to the sanitary conditions, the contest was cancelled for this year .
I have been contacted by the organization and re-elected as Miss Arab 2020. This new year seems like a new beginning to defend my cause of empowering women and also to achieve my modeling and business projects.

LOA: Are there any charities you support or causes you are championing?

SS: The most important cause for me is the orphan’s house. Lack of financial and emotional support in life is perhaps the most terrible thing that a human being can experience and especially at an early age, I believe that it is our duty to help people in need, both emotionally and financially.

 

LOA: Which women inspire you most? And why?

SS: I am inspired by all women who follow their dreams and who did not settle for less than they deserve and who chased what they want in their life without caring about what other people think.

I am inspired by many Arabic singers, dancers and actresses, from a very young age. I heard many people criticizing them, but at the same time idolizing them. An impressive contradiction which pushed me to be inspired by these women.

 

LOA: As Miss Arab, you are now a role model for millions of girls across the region. How important is this new leadership role for you? And how are using it to create change?

SS: Being Miss Arab is before all a way for me to transmit a message to our community. I have experienced it myself, it is a constant struggle for the sake of freedom. To choose what to wear, the job that you want to practice or even to feel free to express yourself in a masculine environment etc.

It is not always easy and we are constantly judged, made feel guilty by people.

The movement that I would like to support is that we women are free humans and nobody has the right to judge us or to control our behavior, our choices and our life.

 

LOA: Is there anything you’d like to see change regarding beauty standards in the Arab world?

SS: Maybe less makeup and more natural beauties. Women in the region are very beautiful, but unfortunately we have less freedom than the western community to express our beauty. For example, in many Arabic countries like Morocco we have a shortage of models, actresses, dancers. This results to lower requirements and thus lower beauty standards.