Kaanchan S Farkiya is the reigning Miss WorldClass and Ms. USA 2021. The World-Class Brand was established in 2016 by Derek Tokarzewski in Chicago, Illinois (USA) with a focus to empower, educate, and inspire. Miss WorldClass is an International virtual pageant that caters to established and experienced queens from around the world giving it a truly global reach. What she loves about being Miss WorldClass is the mentorship program which was established to help individuals focus on personal and professional growth through platform development. There are 3 core areas of the program: guidance, encouragement, and awareness which she enjoys doing. She’s thankful to those people who offered encouragement and supported her throughout her journey. Joining the pageant made her think deeper and connect with her core.
GEQ Magazine recently caught up with Kaanchan to discuss her journey in the pageant world and here’s what went down:
How did you first get into the beauty pageant scene?
When I was a teenager someone from the television industry asked me to participate in a state-level pageant in India. I was not sure about whether I was ready to join a state-level competition at that time so I tried out in my first pageant just for fun. However, when I passed the selection process and the pageant team informed me that I did well in Miss Madhya Pradesh preliminary competition. In the final competition, I was placed as Miss Madhya Pradesh 1st runner-up as the first Princess in India. Since then, my new adventure of modeling and acting in television started. It was really an interesting experience. All in all, the support of my wonderful family and believing in me, made me think of participating in my first pageant. Working for something that I love to do and earning respect and support from people at a very young age was very invigorating.
What has been the most memorable experience of being in the beauty pageant industry so far?
In 2016, I have earned five subtitles as Mrs. Role Model of the Year, Mrs. People Choice, Mrs. Elegance, Mrs. Congeniality, and Mrs. Cultural of the Year along with Mrs. Asian San Diego 1st runner up.
In the same year, I went to Las Vegas for the Ms. Asian North America competition where I spent one of the best weeks of my life. I still can’t believe that I was the winner of Ms. Asian North America 2016 and the most rewarding aspect is giving pride to my country. It was exhilarating and my reign was so significant and laden with meaning and admiration with my vision to fulfill all my responsibilities as a queen.
What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned while in your journey for Miss WorldClass Ms. USA 2021? This can be about the industry or yourself.
During my journey of Miss WorldClass, my dad passed away. My dad, who has been my source of inspiration. He taught me to never give up and he always had a positive outlook and to work hard towards my goal. That’s why I decided to dedicate my title to the memory of my dad. As I have learned so many life lessons from his life this year, faced all kinds of emotions of grief, but his guiding force kept me motivated. Some valuable lessons are as follows:
• Heath is the most important part of our life and we should start taking care from now.
• Surround yourself with people who uplift you.
• Mental health is as important as physical health.
• Have patience and perseverance whatever you do.
Who is the biggest cheerleader in your journey to becoming a beauty queen?
My mother and my family members are my biggest cheerleaders who always motivated me for everything I do. My sponsors and some close friends always supported me directly and indirectly during my journey to becoming a beauty queen.
What was your reaction when the host announced that you were crowned for Miss WorldClass Ms. USA 2021?
It was a dream come true and surreal! I was beyond happy at that moment. For a moment, I wasn’t expecting at all that I was the title holder for this prestigious pageant as Miss WorldClass Ms. USA. I am extremely grateful for having received such an eminent and unique pageant system of Miss WorldClass. I am beyond thankful that I have been getting enormous love and appreciation from friends and fans around the world.
If you could go back in a time machine to when you were just getting started, what would you do differently?
I have worked as an actress in state-level tv serials and ad commercials in India. It used to telecast in the morning and prime time television every week. During that time, I was a science major student doing my bachelor’s degree, where I started working for tv. It genuinely took up a good amount of my time, but I felt as though dipping my toe in the water for so many other extracurricular activities along with studies had let me gain insight into other experiences and outlooks for life.
If I could go back in a time machine to when I was just getting started, I would take my acting career more seriously, and I should have made a plan to balance both my studies and acting career. However, I believe that God always has a plan for you and whatever happens, it happens for a reason and today I am happy about all my decisions.
What is the best advice you have ever been given?
The best advice I have ever been given that mindset can change the way of handling things in your life. With a positive mindset, it’s possible to view an obstacle as an opportunity. A new mindset works wonder and everything on the outside will change along with it. I applied this valuable advice and worked for me.
What are your plans/responsibilities for Miss WorldClass Ms. USA 2021?
I think being a representative of Miss World-class is a responsibility and leadership opportunity to drive change. Currently, working as one of the board of directors of MM Town Council reinforces the positive outcome in my community. My dedication towards Miss World-class is based on humanitarian work and to work based on my platform. Since last year, people around the world have been suffering from pain, losses, and financial challenges. This has certainly affected the morale of the people around them who have been negatively impacted by the pandemic. For this, we organized a global prayer for world peace through devotional songs, and the purpose of this program was to encourage those who have been struggling to regain the last breath of their lives in hospitals. I am working with few organizations where I will be helping in food distribution to needy people in hospitals and orphanages. I am also planning to help and support people who are suffering from mental health around the world through video conferencing. In addition, as a member of the Global Executive Committee and IATB President of California, I support, promote and help talented artists to realize their worth to reach new heights. Together with this, I am going to create virtual visits to the hospitalized children and I will provide an avenue for them to feel connected through my storytelling events. I will also be a part of hosting a video talent show to give the young and adults the opportunity to showcase their singing talents and share their stories of inspiration. Currently, my reach is for helping people on local, national, and international levels.
What advice would you give to the girls who are thinking of joining the competition?
I would like to say that no matter who you are and where ever you are in the world, you will know to some degree that you are unique and you are special. To all women – no one is like you and you never know that people are lookup at your story that you have overcome what you are going through now, and it could become part of someone else’s source of inspiration.
The Lightning-Fast Round:
Last good movie I’ve seen: THINK AND GROW RICH: The Legacy
What do you consider beautiful and why? I consider all feelings of giving is beautiful because it generates expression and feelings of joy, love, care, and dedication. Moreover, it gives inner peace and contentment that must be felt with the heart.
What haven’t you done yet that you wish you could? I have so many to-do lists that I haven’t done. My pageant director Derek Tokarzewski says “Dreams do come true” and I believe in dreaming and keep working towards it.
Complete this sentence: “If I had no fear, I’d…” hug all wild animals who need love.
What is the one trait you wouldn’t change about yourself? One trait I wouldn’t change about myself is being an empathetic person.
