Mrs Elite USA International 2023
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to welcome amazing Queen Kelly Mai Mrs Elite USA International 2023.
Full Name: Kelly Mai
Title/Year: Mrs Elite USA International 2023
Pageant System: TKS International Pageant
Age: Enough to be grateful for life!
Education: Dr Naturopathic
Zodiac Sign: Aries
Hobbies: Reading
Years Competed: 2016, 2019, 2020, 2023
Countries Visited: Singapore, Philippine, Japan, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Republican,
Mexico
Like: Royalty, independent, strong mind, help people
Dislike: Fake, phony, political games
Status: Married
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Please tell us about yourself.
My family and I are from Vietnam. We currently live in California, United States. I’m married and have 2 beautiful children who are in college now. I am a naturopathic and personal care formulator. I am the founder of MN Mother Nature Health and Beauty Care product and a salon/spa, called MN Herbals Beauty. Additionally, I have a real estate investment company named “Mailanni’s Jenresa Property Investment”. In my free time, I like to read, do hot yoga, design my clothes, and travel.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Please tell us about your education.
I came to the USA in 1994. My first license is in cosmetology. I am passionate about natural medicine, herbs, plants, and traditional medicine. When my children entered adulthood, I was able to take more time to pursue my dream and study herbal medicine. Seven years ago, I started by taking a class and obtaining my certification from a world-renowned herbalist and educator in California. From there, my desire to learn grew and I decided to dig deeper into the industry and learn as much as I can. I began taking class courses from the award winning program, based in England, called Formula Botanical. I am proud to say that I am a Formula Botanical graduate with a total of 6 certificates and a diploma in various areas of beauty, business management, skincare/haircare, aromatherapy, and perfume formulation.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Tell us about your pageant history.
I have had the opportunity to participate in several pageants and am honored to have been crowned: ● Mrs. People’s Choice Arizona USA 2016
● Mrs. Eco Environment International 2023
● Mrs. Elite USA International 2023
● Mrs. Queen Grand International 2023 Queen
● Mrs. International Global Vietnam USA 2020
● 1st Runner Up Mrs. USA
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What inspired you to do your first pageant?
Every Sunday, I attend a Buddhist temple. Here, I met a lady named Minh Ha who told me that I was beautiful and asked if I would be interested in joining Mrs. Arizona pageant. At first, I was hesitant. As a married woman with 2 children working a full-time career, I was incredibly busy.
However, I got a phone call from the Director of the organization, Trong Phuc, and he said that this would be a great opportunity to support the Vietnamese community. When I was younger, my dream was always to participate in pageants and with time, realized that this was a great opportunity to challenge myself.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Why did you choose to compete for your current title?
The title that I currently hold is Mrs. Grand International Japan. I was invited by a friend to compete in this pageant and wanted to support her by doing this. Additionally, I am always looking for the opportunity to improve and challenge myself. Each time I compete, I learn new things and build friendships with women from across the world. I enjoy being able to share my culture and community through pageantry.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: To those unfamiliar with your pageant system, please tell us what it is about?
TKS is an international beauty pageant for married women.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What makes your director different from other directors?
They helped me understand my strengths and weaknesses in pageantry. They also brought the best out in me and helped me realize my capability to grow.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What are you being judged on during the competition?
The categories are: 1) Headdress, 2) Evening Gown, 3) Traditional Gown, 4) Spot. I am being judged by how well I present myself and my communication during interviews. World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Tell us about your experience during the competition.
This pageant has the largest system. We have 12 days to socialize and make friends with women from other countries. Everyone was incredibly kind and willing to help one another. I am grateful for the opportunity to meet such wonderful individuals, as well as take pictures with the royal family from Indonesia and Malaysia. I had the chance to tour a variety of countries and have had the best time doing so.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Who would you recommend your system to?
I would recommend my system to anyone because the events value all types of individuals and their unique beauty. With a strong will and determination, I believe that anyone can make their dreams come true.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Tell us about your platform or what causes do you volunteer for?
When I was young, I lived in a remote village surrounded by mountains and forests. Because my village did not have enough medicine, my mom used the surrounding herbs to treat us. My dream became being an herbalist, similar to my Mom. Through my work, I have witnessed people experience challenges with their physical and mental health which impacts their sense of confidence. The charities that I have had the opportunity to serve are orphan programs, cancer society, children with cleft lips, and mental health. My hope is supporting them to share my knowledge and support them with natural medicine and beauty care. My motto is “look good and better health”
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What appearances have you done with your title?
Oh my, so much that I can’t remember! I have:
● Supported the Vietnamese community at events in Arizona
● Supported the Vietnamese community in San Jose Talent Competition
● TV Station in Arizona Talk Show about Health & Beauty for families
● Talk Show TV Guest in the Philippines
● Philippine Best Fashion Show
● Diamond Excellence Award in Philippines
● Top 3 Excellent Companies on Hilton Hotel New York Billboard
● Miss and Miss teen Vietnam Norcal in Sacramento County 2024
● Chandler International Film Festival Award Ceremony Gala
● Vietnam Fashion Show New Year 2024
● Philippines Fashion Show in Japan
13) What are some of your achievements?
● 2019 Award Support Vietnam USA Teen
● 2020 Award Business Woman of the Year
● 2021 Award Support Vietnam Community
● 2022 Award Support Viet News Arizona & US
● 2023 Award Best Company of the year
● 2023 Award Best Business Woman of the Year
● 2024 Miss and Miss Teen Sacramento Special Guest
● 2024 Giving Award for Chandler International Best Film of the Year
● 2023 Meet Mayor of Chandler, Phoenix, and San Jose
● 2023 Meet Thailand Ambassador
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What makes you stand out from all those other beautiful girls?
All of the women that I have met, through pageant and outside of it, are talented and beautiful. I am continually inspired by the accomplishments of women and want to celebrate all of us as we are all unique in our own ways. I feel that it is the most important for me to continue to be who I am.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Tell us about the moment your name was called out as winner.
There are not enough words to express gratitude and joy. I have poured so much of my heart into pageantry, especially practicing my public speaking. To be celebrated for the work that I have put in is indescribable!
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What does it mean to you to be a beauty queen?
A beauty queen is the total package and extends beyond just physical beauty. In my country, Vietnam, beauty queen means a woman with 4 virtues (công, dung, ngôn, hanh). In English, these virtues are: 1) tasteful appearance, 2) speak properly, 3) good morality, and 4) humility. To me, a beauty queen is someone that contributes to her community and makes a difference through her leadership.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: How does competing in pageants help your life?
Pageants have helped bring the best out in me. Joining pageantry has been a journey that has allowed me to learn about my capacity and capabilities.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: How did pageants help your self esteem and body image?
I feel more confident, beautiful, and powerful. Pageantry has allowed me to realize that I am more capable than I initially thought. World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: You are an inspiration to all the girls out there. How does it feel?
Using my voice to recognize and celebrate others is an incredible honor and joy for me. World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What is your stage strategy to win the judges over?
Each woman has a beauty and fragrance, like flowers. We are all beautiful, smart, and talented. For me, participating in the beauty queen, I felt very excited and enjoyed being there to present my platform. I can only say that my “secret” is to show up with an open heart.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: How did you prepare to compete?
For me, preparation is the most important, and challenging part about competing in pageants! I pour most of my time into practicing my speeches. Additionally, I have learned through online resources about how to walk. The best part is that the preparation for pageants and skills I learn translate to my day-to-day life (such as walking with a straight posture)!
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What are your tips for learning the pageant walk?
I would recommend coaching to learn the pageant walk. Additionally, wearing comfortable shoes is important and emulating confidence!
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What are your tips for choosing the right pageant dress?
Make sure that your dress fits your body type as well as style. I also like to prioritize comfort when choosing a dress.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What are your tips for winning interviews?
My tip is to know yourself and answer with your heart.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What are mistakes you have done during competitions that you wish you could redo?
If I had to fix a mistake that I made during competition, it would be to double check my portfolio. For one of the pageants, I thought I sent my portfolio to the organizer but realized later that I was required to give it in-person to the judge at the table. Unfortunately, I only bought one copy, rather than multiple, to give to them.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What other mistakes are made by girls during contests?
Similar to me, some women forget to bring multiple copies of their portfolio to give to the judges. Also, I have noticed that some people bring quite a few cases which can be a hassle to transport! I would advise girls to bring only what you need.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: Any modeling or acting experience?
Prior to competing in pageants, I did not have any acting or modeling experience. With time, I learned how to walk and model.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What are your plans for 2024 as a queen?
My plan is to continue to work on supporting women’s health and wellness, as well as supporting my community as a Vietnamese-American.
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine: What kind of legacy do you want to leave behind?
I want to be known as the queen of beauty and wellness. International Director: Beverly Tan
National Director: Gene Flore
Local Director: Trong Phuc
Pageant Website: TKS Mrs. International (Facebook page)
Name of Photographer: Tri Tran
World Class Beauty Queens Magazine would like to say thank you for this wonderful interview.
Kelly Mai Mrs Elite USA International 2023, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, Photo by Tri Tran
Kelly Mai Mrs Elite USA International 2023, World Class Beauty Queens Magazine, Photo by Tri Tran
Interview by Derek Tokarzewski
Owner/Editor in Chief
Mr WorldClass 2023
Mr United Nations 2018
Platform: Women Empowerment
