On a sun-soaked afternoon in Estoril, we’re greeted by the shimmering figure of Ava Vahneshan, standing in the doorway of her home—radiant in her sparkly pageant dress that catches the light with every movement. Ava’s immediate sense of glamour is undeniable, setting the tone for an afternoon filled with inspiration and warmth.
Once inside, Ava can hardly contain her excitement as she reveals more of her attire. “These are the 17-centimeter heels”, she says with a smile, lifting her towering shoes high into the air. “They actually give me confidence”, she insists, her eyes sparkling with enthusiasm. Ava is gearing up for the Miss Universe pageant, where she will proudly represent Persia—a monumental occasion in the world of beauty and empowerment.
But Miss Universe has evolved, and Ava is keen to share that evolution. “This year, there are no limits—no height requirement, no age limit. You can be single, married, have children, or even be transgender. It’s all about diversity and breaking boundaries” she explains passionately. Ava herself is breaking a significant one: she’s the first woman from Persia to ever compete in Miss Universe.
Born and raised in Iran, Ava made the life-changing move to Portugal when she was just 19. Now at 26, she’s fervently pursuing a dream that has been close to her heart since childhood. Ava first gained attention when she appeared on The Voice of Portugal as the first Persian contestant. “I was shocked”, she admits, her voice a blend of disbelief and pride. As she delicately places her winning Miss Persia crown on her head, she gazes into a nearby mirror, practicing different poses, each one reflecting her hopes and aspirations.
As our conversation unfolds, Ava delves into the details of the upcoming competition and the intense preparation that lies ahead. “Well, first of all, it starts with three weeks of camp”, she explains, her enthusiasm palpable. “All the girls gather from 130 countries, and we’ll travel since the pageant is in Mexico this year. When the show begins, there are two days of competition. On the first day, we’ll walk the stage in our bikinis and national costumes”, she elaborates, her determination shining through.
We can’t help but ask if she feels nervous about the bikini component of the competition. “Oh no, no, I’m not”, Ava responds confidently. “I’ve been working very hard for that.” She shares with us that she has shed 11 kilos in recent months, chuckling, “No more McDonald’s!” Her laughter echoes in the room, filling it with a lightness that contrasts her serious dedication.
Born in the city of Mashhad, Iran, Ava reflects on the challenges she faced while growing up. “Mashhad is a religious city, so I encountered difficulties because I had different dreams. I wanted to be an actress, a singer. But they told me I couldn’t pursue those things because, in Iran, girls aren’t allowed to sing”.
Despite these limitations, Ava’s spirit remained unyielded. “I was on The Voice of Portugal. I don’t know if you’re familiar with the show, but the judges don’t see you—they only hear your voice.” When she performed in her native language, her unique sound caught everyone off guard. “They were all shocked, like, What is this language?” she recalls, a grin spreading cross her face. “After five seconds, one chair turned, then the second, then the third.”
Just as we’re immersed in Ava’s captivating story, her mother, Nadia, enters the room. The pride in Nadia’s eyes is unmistakable as she wipes away tears, having just witnessed her daughter in her stunning dress. “Are you always this emotional?”, we ask, noticing her vulnerability. “I am”, Nadia confesses, her voice trembling with affection. “I’m a sports teacher, and usually, I’m very strict with my students, but in these moments, like with The Voice, I can’t help myself.”
Nadia shares the poignant story of their family’s journey from Iran to Portugal. She recount the difficult transition, arriving just 10 months before the COVID-19 pandemic turned the world upside down. “Everything changed in one day. The pandemic hit hard, making work difficult. For a year, four of us lived in a small apartment with no windows”. When I ask Nadia why they decided to leave Iran, she explains the economic struggles they faced. “Every day, the value of our money was going down; it was so difficult.” Yet, despite these hardships, Nadia beams, “We made it. Hallelujah.”
Returning to Ava, we ask her mother what she thinks of her daughter’s glamorous clothes. “Everything she wears is beautiful, but more than her outward beauty, it’s her heart that shines”, Nadia says, her eyes glistening with pride.
As we step outside, Ava transforms into something more comfortable—an elegant pink ensemble that accentuates her grace. We stroll along the sun-kissed coast of Estoril, the ocean sparkling beside us.
While walking, we ask Ava about the challenge of navigating the Portuguese cobblestones in heels. “Oh, it’s a challenge! I’ve destroyed so many pairs of heels getting stuck in the tiles!”, she laughs, her joy infectious. “Everything comes down to practice, honestly.”
“Do you remember your first day in Lisbon?”, we inquire, curious about her initial impressions of her new home. “My brother picked us up when we arrived, and I was just looking around, wondering if this could be my second home. And now, I can confidently say it is”, Ava reflects, her gaze fixed on the horizon.
“What I like most about living in Lisbon is the nature, the peace, and the kind people. There’s always joy in the air. Even though I’m from a different country and culture, I’ve never felt lonely here.”
Finding a charming beachside café, we conclude our conversation with Ava. “So, if you win Miss Universe, what will you do next?”, we ask, intrigued about her future ambitions.
“I would encourage and uplift as many people as I can”, Ava replies, her voice filled with determination. “Miss Universe is a huge platform, and I want to use that power to inspire others. There have been many setbacks and disappointments in my life, but I’ve learned they’re just lessons. So, I want everyone to know—never give up.”
And with that powerful sentiment, we say goodbye to Ava, who strolls away, high heels in hand, embodying the grace and strength of a true Miss Universe hopeful.
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Dantes pagava-se com publicidade,
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Se gosta do que fazemos e acha que é importante,
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