Recently, Macau earned some impressive results at the The World Madam Series 2021, with sisters Laranja Íris Rose Vera Carter and Maria Isabel Vera winning places in the Macau division held at Broadway Theatre Macau and the Global Series held in Xiamen. The sisters had further success with Isabel winning the “Most Dynamic Lady” Award and Laranja winning the “Audience Choice Champion”. The goal of the World Madam Global Series is to connect married women who are influential in politics, economics, technology, culture, and other fields from all over the globe, encouraging them to learn to care for themselves while working hard for their careers, families, and the next generation. The series also aims to establish more female role models through advocating health, beauty, and love, participating in social charity activities, and helping the poor and disabled. CLOSER spoke with Laranja who came first in the Macau Division and second in the Global Division, just behind Maye Musk, mother of Elon Musk.
Can you tell us how you came to be involved in this event?
Yeah, this was really funny. One afternoon I got a message from Chris Marrs, a PGA Professional Golfer and great friend of mine and my family, saying that he had nominated my sister and me to compete in the World Madam Beauty Pageant… knowing how he is, I took it all as a joke and I wasn’t even familiar with the World Madam event at the time.
What did participation in this event actually involve you doing?
It involved having a personal interview, a group activity to bond with the other World Madam contestants, a charity event, talent contest and Q&A, a day outing event and the pageant show.
How did you find the experience overall?
I had an overwhelming feeling of gratitude. I had a great time with my fellow Madams both on and off the stage. It’s a great experience, meeting new friends and getting to know the entire crew and the finalists. It surely did help cure my stage fright and I was able to level up in my confidence department.
How did you feel when you were crowned Champion for the Macau division?
I was actually shocked and it was very unexpected, as there were seven other very talented, confident, successful and not to mention competitive finalists. My sister Isabel Vera was one of the seven and she performed very confidently in her solo show.
What qualities, characteristics and achievements is the organisation looking for in its champions?
World Madam is looking for champions that represent and promote personal pride, public awareness, family values and community care and giving, as well as outstanding achievements in business and enterprise.
As Champion, do you have any particular roles or responsibilities to fulfill?
Yes, my sister and I have been on a list of Charity events with the elderly, visiting the elderly homes arranging shows and offering haircuts. We also took the children from the orphanage in Macau out for some activities and so on. I choose to stick to the Charity side as this is what I was doing before becoming the champion. Aside from doing charity, I will also have to prepare myself to help organise the next World Madam 2022 event.
Both you and your sister represented Macau in the Global World Madam event in Xiamen, is that correct?
Yes, albeit remotely given the pandemic restrictions in the region. We were able to represent the Macau division championship and my sister Isabel placed 4th in the World Madam, Macau division and I was able to place 1st! Then my sister came 4th and I came 2nd in the World Madam Global Finals championship. We were both looking forward to going to Xiamen in person, especially because it’s where our great grandmother is from, but unfortunately Covid made it quite impossible for us to travel. We had to watch it live on the screen at home and luckily my sister was home with me when it happened. Again, we were blown away by the results. Absolutely unexpected! First my sister’s name was announced, then many names after that before my name was announced, and then we were just hugging each other right after. I’m so grateful to my sister for taking this memorable journey with me and to the rest of the madams for sharing the stage with me.
I would also really like to give a shout out to the head organiser of the event for the Macau division, Catherine Lee, who came 4th in the World Madam Global division in 2020. She has been so helpful and so patient with all the contestants here in Macau, with the crew and with the Broadway staff. I can easily say we have learned a lot from her, through her experience.
