The Canadian National Newspaper: Miss CHIN Bikini Candidate is Proof that the Pageant is not just about Beauty

Twenty women from around the world are in line for the title of Miss CHIN Bikini, a beauty pageant held at the annual CHIN Picnic. Held at the Canadian National Exhibition this year from July 27th to the 29th, the 42nd annual CHIN Picnic is one of Toronto’s most popular annual cultural events. CHIN Radio/Television founder Johnny Lombardi first held the event in 1966. Lombardi, an Italian-Canadian is often noted as the pioneer of multicultural broadcasting. A champion of multiculturalism before it was implemented as Canadian government policy; he founded the multilingual radio stations CHIN in 1966 and CHIN-FM in 1967, which now serve over 30 ethnic communities.

Aside from a beauty pageant, the event, first held in 1967, includes dance performances, musical performances, an international shopping bazaar, international food concessions and amusement park rides.

The CHIN bikini contest was once held as a point of controversy, being faced with allegations of sexism due to the all female, representation at the pageant. However, in response to the allegations, the CHIN had implemented a Mr. CHIN beauty pageant in which twenty male models compete for the role of Mr. CHIN Bikini.

Yet perhaps amidst the allegations and sexual representations associated both male and female beauty, a larger issue is lost: the notion of diversity and multiculturalism that is celebrated through the beauty and overall pageant. One does not need to look to far to find a prime example of someone who combines beauty with intelligence and a desire to spread social awareness with regards to diversity and multiculturalism. Meet Irene Rovner, a Russian born model, and this year’s Miss CHIN Bikini candidate believes a larger issue is at hand. “Living both in Russian and the Middle East for the majority of my life, I was shocked when I saw the level of diversity and multiculturalism flourishing in the streets of Toronto. It’s like nowhere else. Through the pageant, [Lombardi] is demonstrating that beauty comes in ever shape, size and colour. It’s so beautiful seeing people co-exist.”

Aside from modeling, Irene is a student at York University, to go for her Masters Degree in Psychology. With passions of combining her studies in Psychoanalytic studies with modeling, she believes that the two could have a prominent effect on each other “I think it would be very interesting to find a correlation between self projection, self confidence and appearance. It’s all; about how you see yourself, you have to love yourself. I feel so blessed with the life I’ve had and I simply love helping people.”

Quietly sitting at the table, Irene references her copy of one of Janice Dickenson’s books, “The sexiest think that a woman can have is self-confidence. I am an excellent candidate for Miss Chin Bikini because I am confident, natural, and have lived a very multicultural life.”

With regards to the allegation of the festival being sexist, Irene states, “I disagree with that idea, if you are beautiful, confident, and intelligent, all you’re positive traits will radiate on stage. It’s not just a superficial thing; I don’t believe it’s in any way degrading to women. It’s not so much about sexuality as it is diversity.”

Nicknamed the ‘Chameleon’ due to her ability to adapt or blend into any environment, “I can connect with people of various ages, nationalities and lifestyles.” Irene also states that although she feels that she is a very comfortable and accepting person, she hopes that the concepts of diversity are not taken for granted in Canada. “You don’t see this kind of celebration of multiculturalism anywhere else in the world, and events like the CHIN picnic really bring all these things to light.”

This year’s Greek Goddess theme at the CHIN Bikini pageant is also very appealing to many of the models, “It’s classy elegant and sophisticated.” Irene states, “It really doesn’t make sense for the pageant to be just about ‘sexuality’. The pageant offers so much more.”

If Irene wins, she hopes to use the victory as a chance to open more doorways, as she dreams of being a spokes person for people with issues of self-confidence of every age. Hoping to bring greater social awareness to people of every age, Irene dreams of spreading the importance of inner-beauty and self-love. “I always want to try and help people with confidence issues overcome them. I tell them that it’s not just about being beautiful on the outside, but on the inside as well, loving yourself being knowledgeable, intelligent having good manners and good ethics.”

With regards to education, Irene asserts, “It’s the most powerful gift you can give yourself.” With long-term goals of getting her Ph.D. in Psychoanalytical studies, this beautiful contestant proves that her values are more than just talk. “Don’t get me wrong, I’m not perfect, nobody is, but at least I am aware of the fact that perfection is boring. It’s what makes us different that really makes everyone uniquely beautiful, and the CHIN Bikini Pageant exemplifies these important traits beautifully.”

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