MRS SUPRANATIONAL TOURISM QUEEN AMBASSADOR WORLDWIDE2025 WINNER: LEE-ANN NAIDOO

Former Durban resident Lee-Ann Naidoo was crowned Global Mrs Supranaonal Tourism Queen Ambassador Worldwide2025 at a glitzy pageant held on 12 July 2025 in Yangon, Myanmar. She is the 1st Indian South African to win this international title, which recognises married women from around the world. The pageant focuses on married women and evaluates contestants based on public speaking,community involvement, physical presentation on and overall stage presence.

Participants typically qualify by  winning or placing in national-level competitions, which Naidoo did. She took the Mrs Supranational aonal SA title in this year. Once selected, Naidoo became one of over 60 contestants to represent to her country on the global stage. The event included multiple  rounds such as national al costume, evening wear, interview segments and interview presentations, which are assessed by an international judging panel. Naidoo’s participants  followed months of preparation  and training, as contestants are required to meet high standards in areas such as grooming, advocacy and performance under pressure .She shares her journey…

I am a proud mother of three, a professionally trained pastry chef and baker with a deep love for food editorials. Myjourney has taken me from the kitchen to the crown… a baker turned beauty queen. I am also a survivor of gender-based violence, a role that fuels my advocacy and purpose.Married to Varoshn Pillay for six years, I originally hail from Morningside, Durban, and now reside in the East Rand. My experience in pageantry runs deep; in 2023, I was crowned Mrs Grand South Africa and had the honour of representing Sub-Saharan Africa at the Woman of the Universe pageant in Istanbul.Beyond the stage, I am a pageant coach and a commied advocate for women’s empowerment. I am passionate about philanthropy and community service, parcularly in addressing period poverty and combating gender-based violence.

Growing up, opportunities for Indian women to enter the world of international pageantry were few and far between. But we saw them, admired the glamour, and dreamed quietly. They always felt distant, like something meant for someone else. For an Indian girl in a close-knit Indian community, global stage pageantry felt just out of reach.As I grew older, life gave me more exposure — through travel, experience, and the richness of South African society. In many ways, South Africa shaped me into the person I am today: a dynamic, multicultural woman who welcomes change and lives with intention. My resilience and spirited nature are deeply rooted in my South African identity. I stand before you, first and foremost, as an African — and proudly as an Indian woman. I believe I carry a unique blend of culture and tradition, and I’m honoured to represent my country on the global stage.

Growing up, I never imagined myself compeng on an international pageant stage — but it was always my father’s dream. As a proud father of three daughters, he believed deeply in the power of grooming, poise, and presentation. From a young age, he immersed me in the world of modelling and pageantry, insisting on equee classes, drama lessons, and stage presence.Though I even resisted, he remained firm in his belief that his daughters were designed for the world stage. I trained with D Academy Models from the age of seven until seventeen, all under his watchful eye. Long before I could understand the vision, he saw it clearly — even when I didn’t. At 42, I finally stepped into the dream he had planted decades earlier. Winning Mrs Grand South Africa in 2023 and going on to represent my country internationally was more than a personal victory — it was the fullment of my father’s dream. Bringing home the title was a moment of immense pride, not just for me, but for South Africa. It was a win forevery dream he quietly nurtured, and I am deeply grateful to have honored him and my country in that way.

I entered the world of pageantry as a way to honour my father’s dream — but also to challenge myself and grow into the woman I aspired to be. As a survivor of gender-based violence, stepping onto the stage became more than just a personal milestone; it was a statement of strength, healing, and resilience. I wanted to be a source of hope for other women who have faced similar experiences — to show them that reclaiming your power is possible. My journey to Global Mrs Supranational  was a bold and intenonal decision. At 45, I saw it as my nal opportunity to experience the world stage on a truly grand scale. I didn’t just want to parcipate — I wanted the full experience, tocompete wholeheartedly, and to stand in my truth.This was my fight song — a declaraon of worth, pride, and purpose. Supranational  was my way of saying to the world: I am here. See me. I used the platform not only to grow as a woman, but to raise my voice for the causes I care about — to advocate, to inspire, and to show that, no maer our circumstances, we rise together.

Competing at this level demands more than just presence — it requires preparation on every level: physically, mentally,and emotionally. It’s a journey rooted in discipline, sacrifice, and an unwavering belief in a dream that often feels just out of reach.At my age, stepping into this space was no small task. I had to learn everything from the ground up — how to walk the pageant walk, how to carry myself with elegance, and how to embody the essence of poise and condense. I invested in grooming, equee, and personal development, not just for the compeon, but to grow holistically as a woman.Physically, I challenged myself with a weight-loss journey, achieving incredible results, pushing my body beyond its comfort zone to prepare for the global stage. Emotionally, the balance was even harder — managing motherhood,marriage, a career, and the rigorous demands of pageant preparation. There were many moments of doubt, and mes I questioned whether it was possible to do it all.But that’s the purpose of the journey — to rise above limitations in every sense. I’m deeply grateful to my children and my husband, who kept me grounded, believed in me, and stood by me, even when I struggled to believe in myself. I didn’t have all the answers when I started. I simply took the first step in faith… and somehow, the staircase appeared beneath me.

6. Can you walk us through the training process? What was the most difficult part of preparing?

The intensity of preparing for the world stage is unlike anything I’ve experienced before. It comes with immense pressure— not just to perform, but to represent your country with honour, pride, and grace. Every contestant is there to make their nation proud, to carry that flag in a way that leaves a mark. My training involved pushing myself in ways I never imagined. I learned to walk contently in ve-inch heels —something that sounds simple but demands posture, poise, and endless pracce. I had to become comfortable with public speaking, rening my voice so that I could speak with clarity and confidence . Every detail mastered — from how I carried myself to how I presented myself — because I wanted to represent South Africa at the highest standard possible. One of the most demanding parts of preparation was my talent performance. I chose Waka Waka, not just for its energy,but because it symbolized unity, power, and the spirit of Africa. Preparing for it took everything — stamina, rhythm, expression — and I poured myself into every movement because I believed I could challenge myself at every level.The process was tough, but I never lost sight of my goal: to make my country proud and show the world the strength of a South African woman.

There were certainly moments of doubt and many setbacks along the way. One of the biggest challenges was fundraising and securing sponsorships — it was a constant uphill bale. As Mandela so wisely said, “It always seems impossible until it’s done.” That quote became a quiet mantra for me during the most trying mes.Physically, the demands were intense. The long hours, the back-to-back rehearsals, the exhaustion — there were moments I truly questioned whether my body could keep up. I missed my home, my children, and the comfort of roune.But I pushed through, because this dream was bigger than any moment of weakness.My husband was my rock throughout the journey, and I was deeply blessed to walk this path alongside my sister queens.Their encouragement, sisterhood, and belief in me carried me through the hardest moments. I always say, I rose in the hands of my sisters. This was never a solo journey — it was a collective  victory, fuelled by love, support, and a shareddream.South Africa cheered me on, and I drew strength from that energy. I overcame because they believed in me — and because failure simply wasn’t an opon. I knew I had to give it everything, not just for myself, but for the honour of representing my country.

I’ve always been aware that Indian women are a minority in South African pageantry. The last Indian queen to hold a major national  title was Kerishnie Naicker, who won Miss South Africa in 1997 and went on to place fourth internaonally.I’ve always been a go-getter and someone who sets the bar high. I entered this competition eon with a clear intention — to represent South Africa Indian women and to play for the win.

Knowing how under represented we are in this space made the goal even more meaningful.I’m proud to have achieved something my forefathers may never have imagined possible. To make history in this way isan honour I carry with deep pride.

Tell us about the experience on the international stage. Compeng in Myanmar was truly an honour — a once-in-a-lifetime experience for which I am deeply grateful.

The sisterhood among the international onal queens was something extraordinary. Though we were competitors, we laughed together, cried together, and shared moments that have created lifelong bonds.The energy of the international al stage was overwhelming in the best way. We rehearsed daily,  early in the morning and finishing late at night, with no free me in between. It was intense, but every second was worth it.I thank the heavens for the chance to be part of such a magical event — a world-class production  streamed across the globe. I know in my heart that I made South Africa proud.

I’m thankful for every life I’ve touched, every friendship I’ve formed, and for the opportunity to expand my network in such a meaningful way.10. Were there any moments during the compeon that stood out or changed you?When it was me to depart, tears owed freely as hearts ached from leaving — each of us missing home deeply.Pageantry creates a unique sisterhood, and throughout the experience, I encountered so many remarkable women, each with their own stories and dreams. Though we all competed  for the win, every single woman celebrated my victory for South Africa with genuine joy. I cried many tears, knowing that I had been transformed by meeng and sharing this journey with these incredible women  as a completely changed person.

The whole experience felt surreal, like something out of a movie. Honestly, it took me about six hours before the reality of my win truly sank in. I didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of my tle unl it was thoroughly explained by the directorship.It was an incredible moment — one I still  hard to believe, a genuine pinch-me experience. Today, I proudly hold the title of Mrs Supranaonal Queen Tourism Ambassador Worldwide 2025.

I just arrived back home and opportunities for fashion week Milan and Paris has come to light as well as representing at Cannes. It’s all very new and I’m still in shock and overwhelmed. I’m excited to see how my year unfolds and what doors are opened as I embark on a queens journey holding the crown for South Africa.

My message is this: if you dream so big that it scares you, commit yourself to diligent, consistent eort. Seek knowledge,master your cra, and greatness will follow. Lead with an open heart, filled with love and acceptance, and inspire others by example. Remember, we rise stronger as a collective—nd your sister tribe and surround yourself with those who upli  you. Staytrue to yourself, lead with honour and integrity, and embrace your authenc self fully. You are only a true queen when you accept all parts of who you are. We all face challenges and limitations , but they do not dene us. The human spirit triumphs over adversity when we believe in our own strength and capacity. Fight for your dreams, live with purpose, and serve others generously—