Miss Windsor set to represent the city at national beauty pageant
Nineteen-year-old Rebecca Drouin says she never saw herself as a pageant queen — but this winter took home the Miss Windsor crown and punched her ticket to the Miss Universe Canada competition in the summer.
Having only competed in one pageant before claiming the Miss Windsor 2023 title, Drouin says the old beauty pageant might not be what you expect.
“There’s a big stereotype around pageantry but I think it’s so inspiring for Windsor and for our local queens,” she says.
“We really show people what we’re about and what we have to offer our community.”
Drouin says she has learned a lot about Windsor and Canada as a whole since signing up for her first competition, crowned first runner-up Miss Tecumseh last August.
However, while putting on the gowns and taking to the stage herself might be new, it was her sister who introduced her to the pageant game at a young age.
“I remember being a little girl watching her in the audience and I thought she was the biggest princess ever,” says Drouin.
Rebecca Drouin crowned Miss Windsor. (Source: Edwin Tam)“She really told me to go after what you want and don’t worry about what people think.”
For the first time, the Miss Universe Canada pageant will be held in Vancouver this August, as opposed to Toronto.
Drouin says that only adds to her anticipation, as she’s never been to the city before.
The winner of that competition goes on to represent Canada at the Miss Universe pageant – watched by millions worldwide every year.
“I’m very excited and grateful,” she says.
When she’s not preparing, Drouin’s a bartender in the city.
She’s also preparing to study medical esthetics at St. Clair College this fall, hoping to someday own her own medical spa.
She says she’d tell any young girl considering giving pageants a try: “Do it.”
“Even if it feels uncomfortable, because even now sometimes I don’t feel the most comfortable but I learn and grow from it.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadians are eyeing moves to these cities for more affordable housing
Faced with elevated housing prices, half of Canadians in the country's largest cities are considering moving to places with more affordable housing.
Poilievre says Canadians 'fleeing' to Nicaragua, Liberals say it shows he 'doesn't have a clue'
Liberal parliamentarians are criticizing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre over a new video in which he promotes the idea that some Canadians are 'fleeing' Canada to live in Nicaragua because they can't afford a house in this country.
With DNA break, police ID victim in decades-old Newfoundland case
A skull was found along a backroad near St. John's more than 20 years ago. Now, police have finally identified the victim of the homicide.
'Do not drive': Nissan warns Canadian drivers of explosion risk impacting 48,000 vehicles
Car manufacturer Nissan has issued a do-not-drive warning for some older vehicles equipped with Takata airbag inflators, due to the risk of explosion during a crash.
Tessa Virtue reveals she's expecting her first child. Here's what Canadians had to say
Canadian figure-skating icon Tessa Virtue is expecting her first child, she revealed via social media Tuesday.
Infant dies in ATV crash, N.S. RCMP says alcohol may be a factor
An infant has died and three others, including another child, were taken to hospital following an ATV crash in Forties, N.S., on Monday.
McDonald's says $18 Big Mac meal was an 'exception' and their prices haven't risen that much
McDonald’s is fighting back against viral tweets and media reports that it says have exaggerated its price increases.
B.C. mortgage broker ran $270-million Ponzi scheme, then fled Canada, bankruptcy trustee says
The trustee appointed to manage the bankruptcies of a Victoria mortgage company and its owner has concluded that they committed "numerous offences" and operated as a "massive Ponzi scheme."
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's housing plan defeated in House of Commons
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's housing bill has been defeated in the House of Commons with the Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois voting against the legislation.