Fast confession – Czech Miss Michaela Habáňová: I am not bothered by slander concerning the contest.
Michaela Habáňová, who was born in the town of Zlín, is an example of a non-traditional beauty. So right after she won the Czech Miss, there have been voices saying that she doesn’t deserve the crown. Negative comments were spreading through the internet, both targeting her and the Czech Miss in general. In her interview with Luxury Prague Life, you’ll learn how Michaela deals with such negative press and what she’ll be doing after her career as a model is over.
Some time has already passed since your victory in Czech Miss. Have you had time to process all that happened? How do you feel now?
On the first day it was hectic, you don’t know what to expect, so it was strange. But now I’ve had time to take it all in and I am starting to enjoy it all, a lot. It’s a good feeling. Once you realize what you did, it’s really nice. It’s been eight months, and out of the twelve finalists I was the one who won.
Do you realize that you’re now in the world of showbusiness, which can be very unforgiving?
Of course, you go into such an endeavor with the idea that if you succeed, you become part of that world. You know that it’s not just good things ahead – that you’ll be famous and everyone will speak highly of you – but there’s also a bad side.
The crown you got, do you have it with you?
Now I have it in my trunk, since I have to bring it from one photoshoot to the next, but later I’ll surely find a nice place for it in my room.
You’re not sure yet where you’ll be displaying it?
I didn’t have time to decide yet, in fact I didn’t even have time to really be home much. When I come home to rest for a bit, I’ll come up with something.
Have you already celebrated your victory with someone?
There was an afterparty after the finals, but I didn’t really have time to celebrate there – everyone wanted to take a photo and congratulate me, so I didn’t have the time I’d like to spend with my family. But on the weekend I’d like to celebrate the victory for real.
Is there something artificial in you?
No.
How do you care for your appearance?
I don’t regularly go to a beauty salon or anything similar, but I do have products that I like and which I do my best to use, because I know that they work well for me.
When was the last time you dyed your own hair?
I never did. Before the finals, we visited the hair stylist Petra Měchurová, and that was the first time my hair color was changed.
How long does it take for you to apply makeup, per day?
I don’t like excessive and strong makeup, so it’s a matter of at most 5 minutes. If I can, I rather tend to spend my time sleeping in the morning than on makeup.
What do you do when you apply your makeup, do you have a ritual?
Light makeup, rouge, mascara – but only if I know I’ll be in the public eye. But sometimes I skip that even in that case, so that I don’t have to remove it in the evening.
Do you color your eyebrows?
I don’t, I just do the finishing lines.
Well, it is quite dark.
Yes (laughter), it’s in our family, I have blond sisters and they too have dark eyebrows.
There has been a lot of discussion about the Czech Miss competition in the past months. Many people claim that it’s worthless. What do you think about these claims?
For me, the important thing was what I experienced and what the people around me saw. I participated in the Czech Miss competition, gained a lot of experience, got to know famous and successful people in areas such as modeling. All in all, it gave me a lot. It gave me friendship, experience. I don’t have anything to complain about.
Did you mind that it was not broadcasted on national TV?
I wouldn’t say that I mind. For me, it was important that my family and friends were there with me, I didn’t care about being seen by everyone in the Czech Republic. The people who cared could follow the competition on regional TV, and it’s also available on the Czech Miss Youtube.
So you don’t think that this year was somewhat weaker than the previous ones, which were more advertised?
I don’t think that the competition is based on being broadcasted on TV. I think it’s about how the girls handle the pressure, how they seize the opportunities that are presented.
We’ve also heard rumors that the organizers are full of themselves. Is that true?
During the event, I established rather family-like relations with production and other members of the Czech Miss team, we also meet in circumstances not related to the competition, so I don’t consider them to be unpleasant in any way. I’m happy that they’re exactly how they are, and I have great relations with all of them.
Were you ever part of any similar project, perhaps in relation to theatre, TV or other competitions, so that you can draw a comparison?
No, never.
What was the atmosphere among the finalists like?
Everyone says that girls will sabotage each other’s shoes and put laxatives into other’s drinks, but it wasn’t like that at all (laughter). I went through a lot with the girls. How everyone attacked the competition, the media spewed hate on it… It pushed us closer to each other. We wanted to handle it together and show that the Czech Miss is the only beauty competition that has real prestige. The environment also played a role. I can honestly say that we’re real friends.
Did you discuss how the competition is viewed from outside? What was the opinion of the other finalists?
We did discuss what’s in the media, but we also knew that we can’t change it. We knew that we need to be there, that we’re the reason people watch the competition, so we did our best to show people that it’s different than the media presented. We didn’t break down and we didn’t want to leave.
Was there any finalist who resented how the media covered the Czech Miss?
I can’t say that there’s anyone in particular who’d come to me and say that they mind.
Did you find a friend at the competition?
Yes.
Who?
I found several friends and I have good relations with all of them, but of course the girls who live close to me, for instance girls from Břeclav, those I meet more often. I tend to meet the girls from Prague when I’m there.
Who was your favorite? Was it you?
(laughter) I’ll leave that to myself.
I noticed that people online tend to spew a lot of hate on you, as the winner. How do you react to that?
I haven’t seen that many messages yet, just my mom sent me some super hateful posts from random strangers, but I think that honest people will either send you a nice message or just not bother, it’s only the dumb ones who need to vent like that.
So it didn’t hurt your confidence?
Everyone is entitled to say what they think, I value that, and I know I won’t be liked by everyone, but I certainly won’t let that discourage me or change anything. I also won the online vote for the Miss, so the people themselves chose me, so if someone doesn’t like me, I get that, but I won’t be discouraged.
Many people react to this sort of comments by a general message on their Facebook profile. Are you planning something like that?
Well, I still haven’t seen anything specific that people seem to hate …
The eyebrows.
The eyebrows. Hmm. I’m proud of my eyebrows, they’re mine and dark and I don’t need to dye them. I think that most of the people who hate it would like to have something like it. But if the hate becomes too much, I’ll make sure to clarify everything. If it’s really mostly about the eyebrows, then that’s perhaps the least important thing they could or should care about (laughter).
How are you preparing for the global competition?
We begin next week. I need to take care of my clothes, the videos that we need to make and send, I’ll also start working on myself so that when I leave I’m in good shape… there’ll be a lot to do to make sure I can represent the Czech Republic to the best of my abilities. I have two months. Some finalists already messaged me and I’m happy for that. All in all, I’m really looking forward to the global competition.
How did they find out that you won?
I was also surprised! Right the day after the competition, I got a message from a girl from Mexico, another one from Portugal… it was via Instagram.
Are you worried about the global competition?
I like challenges and traveling. Since I was 14, I used to travel to language courses both in the US and the UK. I don’t think there’s a language barrier for me. I’m actually very excited. I love getting to know new people and new cultures. So, yeah, I’m really looking forward to flying there.
Do you think you have a shot at winning?
I haven’t seen the girls yet, so I honestly can’t say, but I’ll do my best.
Will your boyfriend fly with you?
Both my family and my boyfriend would like to come, at least for the finals.
What’s the most exotic country you’ve been to?
Mauritius, at a wedding.
Not yours though.
Unfortunately not yet.
Are you expecting an engagement?
Not right now (laughter). I’m still studying. Miss and my school are my priorities now. So not in the near future..
What kind of student are you?
I stress a lot.
You want A’s.
I do want A’s (laughter). I want to be the best, so I prepare quite meticulously.
Does your boyfriend support you in your studies?
Yes, he studies as well. He’s my best friend and boyfriend, an all-in-one package.
You’ve been together for five years. How and where did you meet?
His cousin is a figure skater and so am I. We met a few times at the ice-rink, and that’s how it all began (laughter).
Where was the first date?
On the ice-rink (laughter).
With tea and some sweets?
With tea, and it was really cold (laughter).
What’s the most romantic thing he did for you?
He’s really romantic and very meticulous about gifts. For instance, I got a Kinder Egg which he himself put back together and slipped a necklace inside. He has a lot of great ideas.
And you too?
I do my best to be original.
What do you think is the most original gift you gave him?
He wants me to buy him shoes. I think he’d be happiest if I were to just buy him shoes. He likes golf, so I tend to buy him various stuff that he needs for golf.
What’s the most precious thing you ever got?
What makes me happiest is perhaps getting chocolate from someone, with love.
The Czech Miss eats chocolate?
Everyone likes chocolate (laughter).
Regarding food, do you have any “sins” other than chocolate?
When I get the urge to treat myself, it’s either with chocolate or sushi.
What’s your favorite thing to buy?
Lipstick.
Which do you like the most?
I don’t have a favorite brand, but I do like colorful lipstick.
What will you do when you stop being a model?
I’d like to work in the area I’m studying now, which is physiotherapy. I’m a figure skating trainer, and I’d like to do that professionally, because it really makes me feel whole and happy. I would also like to do physiotherapy for children. I like kids and sports.
Are you planning any children of your own in the near future?
Not in the near future, but I am planning many children (laughter).
