Montenegro is known for its natural beauty, but also for its exceptional female beauty, which often attracts attention, such as Marije Vujović, one of the most successful Montenegrin models, and Emine Chunmulaj, who graced the covers of the most prestigious fashion magazines and walked the runways of the most famous brands. Perhaps the most beautiful Montenegrin woman will officially follow in their footsteps. Andrea Nikolic, who won the title of most beautiful at the last competition.
Andrea already has a wealth of international experience. Two years ago, she represented Montenegro at the prestigious Miss Tourism pageant in China, where she won the title of First Runner-up. This made her the first Montenegrin beauty queen to bring such recognition to the country, which was the beginning of her serious engagement in promoting Montenegro. Since then, she has been trying to present her country in the best possible way at every opportunity. And that will be the case in India, where she will be staying for the next few weeks.
India will host the Miss World pageant this year, and in a country rich in tradition and diversity, Andrea will once again wear the colors of Montenegro with the same enthusiasm and dedication with which she has been doing it since the very beginning. She left for India yesterday, where she will undergo final preparations for the "most beautiful in the world" pageant, and Andrea talks to Vijesti about her new title, preparations, and the Miss World competition...
The dust has settled around the Miss Universe pageant, impressions have settled, but what surprised many was that you decided to apply after you represented Montenegro at Miss Tourism two years ago and became our only Miss to win the title of First Runner-up at a major competition. What was your motive this time when you applied and how much did the experience from a major competition help you prepare better?
Participating in Miss Tourism in China really meant a lot to me and brought me a great life experience. That was the first time I felt what it was like to represent my country on the world stage and how much responsibility, but also opportunity, this role brings. After that success, I felt an even greater desire to continue on that path, but this time with a clearer goal and message.
The main reason I applied for Miss Montenegro was that I wanted to use my influence to draw attention to the rights and position of people with disabilities. This topic is especially close to my heart because my father is a person with disabilities, and I have seen firsthand all my life how people like him struggle with obstacles, both physical and social, every day. I feel I have a responsibility and the strength to speak out about it, because change begins when someone dares to speak out about the problems.
The experience I already have from China has helped me a lot in preparing for the upcoming event. Now I know better what to expect, how to present myself and how to stay true to myself. This time I go more confident, more mature and with a clear mission.
In these competitions, in addition to physical appearance, the country's representatives must have other qualities because everything is evaluated in major competitions. Does it bother you that this particular competition is perceived too superficially and that everything ultimately comes down to physical beauty?
I think it's a big prejudice that beauty pageants in this region are still often viewed solely through physical appearance, because anyone who has been part of such a competition knows how far from the truth that is. Beauty is just the starting point, but what is actually valued is the content, character, attitude, the way you communicate, the values you carry and the messages you want to convey.
At Miss World, for example, there is an entire segment called “Beauty with a Purpose,” where the contestants work on serious humanitarian projects, present them to a panel of experts, and that carries a lot of weight, or rather, a lot of points, in the final selection for Miss World. There is also an interview, a public performance, talent, sports activities, etc.
People often automatically underestimate girls who apply to beauty pageants, as if it's impossible to be both beautiful and smart, ambitious and compassionate. These are the prejudices I fight against and try to show by my example that a woman can be all of these.
The mission of this election is also humanitarian work. You have experience in that too, you have volunteered in many organizations. Empathy is something that has been lost in recent years when most people "mind their own business" and "don't have time to help others." As someone who has been in this field for years, how much has helping vulnerable groups enriched you?
Humanitarian work for me is not something that started with my preparation for an election, nor is it something I do to make an impression. It is a part of my upbringing and me as a person. As I mentioned before, my father is a disabled person, a Paralympian, an activist and someone who has been fighting for the rights of disabled people for years, and it was thanks to him that I got involved in volunteering as a teenager.
I started at the Association of Disabled Youth, and later at the Federation of Paraplegic Associations of Montenegro and the Paramont wheelchair basketball club from Podgorica. I met great people, heard their stories and learned how a little attention and support can change someone's day or even life.
Empathy is something that is not learned from books, but from life. I have a feeling that it is becoming less and less common today, because we are all busy with our own responsibilities, burdened with personal problems. But that is precisely why it is important not to forget about each other. Those experiences meant a lot to me, they enriched me as a person, broadened my horizons and taught me to be grateful, present and sensitive to the needs of others. And that is why I want to continue on that path, not only through volunteering, but also through every opportunity to speak publicly and act on behalf of vulnerable groups.
At the audition in China, your talent was Montenegrin folklore. What did you prepare for going to India, what talent will you present to them, and did you have enough time to prepare for everything that awaits you?
At the competition in China, I presented them with the national dance, namely the Montenegrin dance, and that was one of the most special moments for me. The Montenegrin dance connects me with our tradition, and I feel that this dance carried a part of my soul. For India, however, I prepared something different, but equally personal. I decided to recite verses that I wrote, but which were inspired by I care verses. This is my small honor and dedication to our great poet.
I chose a dress for this occasion. Senke Tujković, which is decorated with Njegoš's verses, which further strengthened this connection with our cultural heritage. To be honest, there was not much time to prepare, but literature is my great love and I spend every free moment reading. Although it is challenging to balance all my obligations, when I do something I love, it is not a problem, but a pleasure. I feel that this is my way to convey our culture and beauty to the world, and this gives me the strength to endure all the preparations and challenges that lie ahead.
You kept a diary for Vijesti from China. Do you occasionally go back to what you wrote then and evoke memories from that event?
Yes, I often return to those texts. Writing a diary from China was not only a journalistic task, but also an emotional experience. Each sentence carried a part of my personal journey, from the initial insecurity to the moment when I became first runner-up in the world competition. The memories of those moments are still alive today, because they shaped my personality and approach to life. I love to remember those days, because they help me realize how much I have progressed and how those memories have become the foundation of everything I do today.
What was most important to you back then, and I believe it hasn't changed, is education. I assume that after your first choice and success, you had the opportunity to pursue modeling. Are you attracted to that world and would you perhaps like to step into those waters?
For me, education has always been a priority. I still believe that it is the key to any kind of change, including the fight for the rights of vulnerable groups. After my first competition, I had the opportunity to pursue modeling, but that world was never my primary goal. I never wanted my focus to be on the catwalk or the beauty world, because my education and mission to contribute to society through the fight for justice and rights were always more important.
I see my law studies as a foundation for the future and as a way to actively contribute to improving the rule of law in Montenegro, especially in the context of the rights of marginalized and vulnerable groups. While I look forward to all the opportunities that come with this platform, my passion lies in promoting education and law, not in the modeling industry.
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