INTERVIEW with Tishya Del Rosario || Miss Royalty International Australia 2023
Tishya in her “Fun Fashion” for Miss Royalty International Australia. Photo by Jason Keightley
SD: Hi Tishya. Can you introduce yourself to my readers who don’t know you yet?
TDR: Hello everyone! My name is Tishya. I am 24, Filipino, a content creator, juris doctorate student, mom, and also currently Miss Royalty Australia. I started content creating in the middle of my first degree in international business. Then had my son with my partner after graduating. Since then, I have also become a new model, and joined the world of pageantry.
SD: What does women Empowerment mean to you?
TDR: Women empowerment to me is encouraging each other to become our best selves. In a society where it is difficult to talk about our achievements without others calling this ‘boasting’, as it is difficult to talk about our struggles without others calling this ‘a plea for attention’, we ought to instead defend and encourage each other to be free to express. We ought to celebrate our wins when others attempt to dismantle our achievements. We also ought to care for each other in our struggles, otherwise we entertain the idea that a woman’s struggles won’t ever be a priority. Because although we are undoubtedly strong and independent in a world that loves to see women compete, we challenge that framework when we actively work to nurture each other – So that whenever a woman achieves anything, all the sisters that have empowered her have also won. And her burdens also become ours.
SD: Why did you choose to compete for your current title?
TDR: At the time I had applied for Miss Royalty Australia, I was a new mom and on the fence about pursuing a law doctorate. While I received amazing support from my family, friends and online community, unfortunately it was not 100%. I often received criticisms about my age and also experienced fat-shaming postpartum. After also pursuing modelling and competing in Top Model Australia in 2021, this then sparked rumours that there was no possible way I could have ‘bounced back’ within a short timeframe and I was accused of editing my body as well as ostracised by close connections. The hate I received prolonged my postpartum depression. Even after shutting down criticisms by becoming a finalist for Top Model Australia 2022, the criticisms continued on with “but aren’t you a mom?” – ensuing that as a mother, I shouldn’t be able to aspire for my dreams. I felt guilt-tripped from meeting friends. I even felt too guilty to content create. I had to cut off people who I once believed were good friends who projected onto me some views, I had never known them to have of me before. It was so hurtful and I felt alone. I even considered if my life was worth it, considering that to others I wasn’t a great mother anyway, and therefore no one would feel my missing presence if I were gone.
But then I came across Miss Royalty International Australia and I wanted to challenge myself to use my story to tell women who feel alone, that they are not. Most of my life, I’ve felt what it is to see others compete and want to push you down when you wouldn’t deal that same hurt, and it destroys me know there is another young woman out there wondering if her life is worth it. I wanted to break agist and misogynist barriers. I wanted to become a catalyst for change. I want to remind women; we are stronger together.
Tishya in her “Evening Gown” for Miss Royalty International Australia. Photo by Jason Keightley
SD: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system please tell us what is it about?
TDR: Miss Royalty International is a pageant system that aims to break barriers. From age, marital status, race, body image and more, it is an inclusive pageant system that focuses on qualities of beauty outside and in. It also strives to empower women to become global citizens. It is a gem in pageantry, in that it also still provides the opportunity to expand on your modelling aspirations should you have any. It is essentially the best of pageantry, alongside also providing a platform for change for women with a thirst to positively influence the world.
SD: Tell us about your experience during the competition.
TDR: It was like meeting old souls that I had known all my life, including the lovely Suzanne Dang! My sash sisters were all beautiful, bright and talented. We celebrated each other, provided our mentorship, shared many tears and smiles, as well as memorable moments. This was refreshing to see in a competition and it truly brought to life MRI’s mission and affirmed that my own goal of empowering women was indeed possible. I am reminded that we do all shine better together and the lovely souls I met will always be in my heart as evidence of love, across women, in its greatest form.
SD: What are some of your achievements?
TDR: I was the 2nd highest scorer in interviews, with a lot of the questions focusing on social media (to my surprise). I was also awarded ‘My Sparkly Life Ambassador’, for my values and apt for vocalness online. Finally, I am also your reigning Miss of Australia for 2022, AKA your Miss Royalty Australia queen for 2023. But the best achievement would just be seeing though the finals, with respect to my grandmother who passed away during rehearsals. It brought me so much pain but also love that I could dedicate the night of the event to her.
Tishya with 2022 National Finalists for Miss Royalty International Australia. Photo by Jason Keightley
SD: What does it mean to you to be a Beauty Queen?
TDR: A Beauty Queen is a soul that smiles beautifully, because she has endured so much yet still delivers only grace. A Beauty Queen is a body that leaves everyone mesmerised, because she knows her flaws, yet wears her heart on her sleeve and walks on with dignity. A Beauty Queen is beautiful because her heart is, and it shows in the light she brings to a room; she shows how in adversity, she is still kind.
SD: What is one mistake that you've done during competing you wish you could redo and fix it?
TDR: Wardrobe malfunction! All my dresses were quite long and my wings for a national costume segment could not attach during my walk. However, it did teach me to remain poised despite a stressful situation. It also tested my ability to still do the dresses justice, for all the hard work behind them. It also allowed me to me humble and confide in my sash sisters for help. I wouldn’t redo these. Perhaps, just be better prepared and take these as powerful lessons for preparation.
SD: What are your plans for 2023 as a Queen?
TDR: During my reign, I hope to deliver conferences or talk session surrounding mental health as well as responsible content creating with respect to mental health. I also aim to use my crown to show that beyond all titles, there is a person who has a story to tell.
A queen is a symbol of adversity and the enormous responsibly she has obtained after rising from adversity. And I believe it is now my job to show women how to rise from theirs, together. Conveniently enough, I feel in my content creating I encapsulate this already! I definitely have a lot to think about then, about how I can take this further.
Tishya Del Rosario’s social media presence:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tshadelrosario/
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/tshadelrosario/
Tiktok: http://www.tiktok.com/@tshadelrosario