Miss Represented Podcast: Episode 48 Summary

Title: Miss Represented: Miss Earth Cuba Stephany Diaz
Host: Lisa Opie
Release Date: October 28, 2024

Introduction

In Episode 48 of the Miss Represented Podcast, host Lisa Opie welcomes Stephanie Diaz, the newly crowned Miss Earth Cuba. The episode delves into Stephanie's unexpected journey into pageantry, her cultural heritage, advocacy for environmental causes, academic achievements, and her aspirations for the future.

Pageantry Beginnings

Stephanie shares her serendipitous entry into the world of pageants. Surprisingly, Miss Earth Cuba was her first pageant, yet she clinched the national title effortlessly.

Stephanie Diaz [00:44]: "I was scrolling through Instagram, and I saw that Miss Earth Cuba was having auditions, and I was like, why not? You know? And then look at where I'm at right now."

Stephanie reflects on childhood dreams versus life's unpredictability, highlighting how modern platforms like Instagram can open unexpected doors.

Role Models and Inspirations

Discussing her inspirations, Stephanie fondly recalls watching the reality show "Establish a Latina", where she admired contestant Alina Roberts for her confidence and grace on stage.

Stephanie Diaz [01:16]: "There was this one contestant, Alina Roberts, and I just looked up to her so much. She was so confident, so sure of herself."

This admiration underscores Stephanie's belief in the empowering nature of pageants, aiming to inspire younger women just as she was inspired.

Choosing Miss Earth and Environmental Advocacy

Stephanie chose the Miss Earth system specifically for its focus on environmental advocacy—a cause deeply personal to her.

Stephanie Diaz [03:27]: "I love that Earth focused on advocacy, specifically focusing on environmental causes."

Her commitment to sustainability is further illustrated by her five-year vegetarian lifestyle, motivated by concerns over the meat industry's environmental impact.

Stephanie Diaz [04:29]: "The meat industry takes up so much land and is one of the leading causes of deforestation compared to the plant industry."

Stephanie advocates for incremental changes, such as Meatless Mondays, to reduce environmental footprints without necessitating a complete dietary overhaul.

Preparing for Miss Earth and Representing Cuba

As Stephanie prepares for the international Miss Earth competition in the Philippines, she discusses the rigorous preparation process, including collaboration with her team and designers to ensure her outfits reflect Cuban heritage.

Stephanie Diaz [07:25]: "This year we're trying to focus on every outfit having some type of connection to Cuba. So it's not just about it being pretty, but it's going to have a story behind it."

Representing Cuba on a global stage holds significant emotional value for Stephanie, bridging her Cuban roots with her life in Miami.

Stephanie Diaz [07:43]: "When I was little, every summer, my mom would send us to Cuba to stay with our grandparents. So I felt really connected to what it means to be Cuban."

Family and Cultural Connection

Stephanie elaborates on the strong Cuban community in Miami, which helps her stay connected to her heritage despite residing in the United States.

Stephanie Diaz [09:30]: "I have my mom's family over here and my dad's family still over there."

She emphasizes the communal bonds in Cuba, contrasting them with the more isolated nature of neighborhoods in Miami.

Stephanie Diaz [09:30]: "When you live in Cuba, your neighbors really become your family members."

Experiences with Pageant Director and Appearances

Stephanie praises her director, Fatima, for her supportive and empowering role in her pageant journey. She recounts participating in events like Hollywood Beach Swim Week, where she modeled for Peruvian swimwear, highlighting cross-cultural collaborations.

Stephanie Diaz [10:44]: "We did Hollywood Beach Swim Week. ... I got to model for Sand and Sun, which is a Peruvian swim line, and it was amazing."

Stephanie appreciates the sense of community among pageant contestants, dismissing stereotypes of rivalry.

Educational Achievements and Future Plans in Law

Beyond pageantry, Stephanie is academically accomplished, having earned her bachelor's degree at 19 by accumulating credits during high school.

Stephanie Diaz [12:45]: "I did my bachelor's in two years. It was in high school, so I really prioritized my studying."

She is now poised to pursue law school, aiming to advocate for Cuban voices and immigrants.

Stephanie Diaz [14:24]: "I want to bring up the voices of those who can't. ... Law is one of the many ways that you can get there."

Stephanie envisions a future combining her pageant platform with legal advocacy, potentially serving as a diplomat or running for public office.

Travel and Cultural Insights

Stephanie shares her recent travels to Spain, exploring cities like Barcelona and Mallorca. She discusses the linguistic diversity in Barcelona, where Catalan is prominently spoken alongside Spanish.

Stephanie Diaz [16:22]: "In Mallorca, the beaches are stunning. They call them 'kalas,' and they were like cliffside beaches that you hike to."

Her travels reinforce her cultural identity and offer her immersive experiences that enrich her role as Miss Earth Cuba.

Anticipation for Miss Earth and Sisterhood

Looking forward to the Miss Earth competition, Stephanie is eager to meet fellow contestants and build lasting friendships.

Stephanie Diaz [18:25]: "I'm so excited to meet all the girls. I feel like I'm going to gain, like, 80 new friends."

She emphasizes the supportive and sisterly bond among contestants, challenging the misconception of pageant-related jealousy.

Fun "This or That" Segment

In a lighthearted segment, Stephanie shares her personal preferences:

• Beach Vacation over mountain retreats
• Morning Yoga instead of evening workouts
• Dancing in the Kitchen rather than singing in the shower
• Watching a Movie over reading a book
• Scuba Diving instead of a hot air balloon ride
• Planned Vacations over spontaneous road trips
• Urban Cityscape over serene countryside
• Spa Day instead of a shopping spree
• Watching a Sunrise over stargazing
• Art Museum instead of a science museum

These choices reflect her active lifestyle, love for culture, and preference for structure and self-care.

Closing and Contact Information

As the episode wraps up, Stephanie invites listeners to follow her journey across all social media platforms using her name Stephanie Diaz or her title Miss Earth Cuba.

Stephanie Diaz [23:02]: "You can follow me on every platform as Stephanie Diaz or Miss Earth Cuba."

Host Lisa Opie thanks Stephanie for her inspiring conversation, highlighting the blend of beauty, intelligence, and advocacy that defines Miss Earth Cuba.

Notable Quotes

• Stephanie Diaz [00:44]: "I was scrolling through Instagram, and I saw that Miss Earth Cuba was having auditions, and I was like, why not? You know?"
• Stephanie Diaz [04:29]: "The meat industry takes up so much land and is one of the leading causes of deforestation compared to the plant industry."
• Stephanie Diaz [07:25]: "This year we're trying to focus on every outfit having some type of connection to Cuba."
• Stephanie Diaz [12:45]: "I did my bachelor's in two years. It was in high school, so I really prioritized my studying."
• Stephanie Diaz [14:24]: "I want to bring up the voices of those who can't."
• Stephanie Diaz [18:25]: "I'm so excited to meet all the girls. I feel like I'm going to gain, like, 80 new friends."

This episode of Miss Represented offers an intimate glimpse into Stephanie Diaz's multifaceted life as a beauty queen, environmental advocate, dedicated student, and cultural ambassador. Her journey exemplifies the power of passion, perseverance, and purpose in shaping a meaningful and impactful path.