Miss Haiti: A country's hope can be found in a smile

By Equipo Celestrellas Posted Aug 13th 2010 12:00PM

It might sound cliché, but even if Miss Haiti doesn't go on to win the Miss Universe pageant, her singular story of overcoming tragedy, multiple obstacles and Haiti's ruinous situation following the devastating earthquake earlier this year is something to be celebrated across the world.

In an exclusive interview with Celestrellas at the Mandalay Bay Resort & Casino in Las Vegas where Sarodj Bertin, Miss Haiti, is staying in preparation for the big event on August 23, she shared her story with us: As a nine-year old, Bertin witnessed her mother's murder, an obviously traumatic experience which has shaped her outlook on life and absolute desire to succeed. More recently, she won an improvised Miss Haiti pageant, organized amidst the misery and chaos that the earthquake left behind in this tiny Caribbean nation. It is the first time in 22 years that Haiti has participated in the Miss Universe pageant.

Magali Febles, former director of Miss Puerto Rico, believed that one of the ways for Haiti to rebound from the earthquake's devastation was to celebrate the beauty and grace of the people of Haiti. She moved to organize the Miss Haiti pageant and send a candidate to the Miss Universe event in Las Vegas. In a modest event, without sponsors Sarodj Bertin was crowned as Miss Haiti. She didn't even get a bouquet of flowers.

Ms. Bertin is a 24-year-old lawyer who speaks four languages and recently returned to Haiti after living in exile in the Dominican Republic. She returned to help in the rebuilding of her cherished nation, to help lead Haiti to better times, to more peaceful times.

Flying into Las Vegas from Miami, Bertin faced a new challenge, albeit a minor one in comparison to her past. Her luggage was lost. She lost clothing, shoes, and accessories; all meant to be used in her pageant preparations, to meet the judges and wow them toward a win. However, in the same collective spirit that is helping Haiti rebuild, Miss Haiti has received gifts and loaners from fellow contestants and many other supporters, ending up with more items and accessories than she had packed to bring with her.

Was losing your luggage a bad omen?
"I forgot about all the things I lost. A lot of people have helped me. Many Haitian fashion designers have lent me clothing, purses, and accessories. I have what I need to compete. I can't focus on what I lack. You can learn from your losses. It was just another obstacle to overcome."

What does it mean for you to have Haiti back in Miss Universe, after 22 years of absence?
"It is a privilege and an honor. I need to let the world know about my country. I want to change what people think about Haiti. Yes, we have poverty, we are in the middle of a crisis, but we also have so many beautiful things to share."

By participating in Miss Universe you are also honoring your mother.
"Yes, definitely. My mother's name was Mireille Durocher Bertin, she was a great lawyer in Haiti. She was a human rights activist, a social leader who was preparing to participate in the presidential elections in 1995 when she was murdered. It was a very traumatic experience for me, but I learned from it too."

The interview continues after the picture gallery.

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Miss Haití: Sarodj Bertin

Check out pics of Sarodj Bertin, Miss Haiti Universe 2010.

Miss Universe Organization

Miss Haiti

In this publicity image released by the Miss Universe Organization, Miss Haiti 2010 Sarodj Bertin poses at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nev. on Friday, Aug. 13, 2010. The Miss Universe 2010 competition will be broadcast live on the NBC at 9 p.m. EST on Aug. 23. (AP Photo/Miss Universe Organization LP, LLLP)

Miss Haiti

In this Aug. 3, 2010 photo, Miss Haiti Sarodj Bertin smiles during an interview in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Miss Haiti

In this Aug. 3, 2010 photo, Miss Haiti Sarodj Bertin smiles during an interview in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)

Miss Haiti

HOLLYWOOD - AUGUST 07: (L-R) The reigning Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez, Miss Haiti Sarodj Bertin, Miss Puerto Rico Mariana Paolo Vicente, Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell, Miss Philippines Venus Raj, Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete and Miss Colombia Natalia Navarro get ready to leave for Las Vegas on August 7, 2010 in Hollywood, California. The new Miss Universe will be crowned on Monday August 23, 2010 in Las Vegas NV. (Photo by John M. Heller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Stefania Fernandez;Sarodj Bertin;Mariana Paolo Vicente;Jesinta Campbell;Venus Raj;Jimena Navarrete;Natalia Navarro

Miss Haiti

HOLLYWOOD - AUGUST 06: Miss Haiti Sarodj Bertin stops by the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Pool on her way to the Miss Universe Contest in Las Vegas, NV on August 6, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by John M. Heller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Sarodj Bertin

Miss Haiti

HOLLYWOOD - AUGUST 06: (L-R) Miss Philippines Venus Raj, Miss Colombia Natalia Navarro, Miss Haiti Sarodj Bertin, The reigning Miss Universe Stefania Fernandez, Miss Puerto Rico Mariana Paolo Vicente, Miss Mexico Jimena Navarrete and Miss Australia Jesinta Campbell stop by the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel Pool on her way to the Miss Universe Contest in Las Vegas, NV on August 6, 2010 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by John M. Heller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Venus Raj;Natalia Navarro;Sarodj Bertin: Stefania Fernandez;Mariana Paolo Vicente;Jimena Navarrete;Jesinta Campbell

Miss Haiti

Sarodj Bertin, Miss Haiti 2010 ***EXCLUSIVE*** Photo Session with Sarodj Bertin, Miss Haiti Universe 2010 at the Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, CA Miss Universe Pageant 2010 will air live on NBC and Telemundo on August 23rd from Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. 8/5/10 © Jc Olivera/jpistudios.com 310-657-9661

Miss Haiti

If you win Miss Universe, would you dedicate it to your mother?
"She is always on my mind. I think she is now very proud of me. I am going to work for my country, no matter what happens during the pageant. If I win, I will dedicate my triumph to God first, then to my mom, my family, to my people."

What would happen if you win Miss Universe?
"I would be one of the happiest women on earth. It would mean bringing the first Miss Universe crown to my country. My presence in Miss Universe means a lot for the Haitian people; it is a sign of hope. If I do not win, I will still have fulfilled my primary task of spreading the word about my country's situation. All I really want is to be an honest and proud ambassador for my country."

>> Do you think Miss Haiti can help the world reconsider their impressions of her country?

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Filed under: Miss Universe 2011, America Miss Universe Contestants, Latino Celebrity News, News Miss Universe, Miss Universe Contestants, Miss Universe News
Tags: miss haiti, miss universe, MissHaiti, MissUniverse, Sarodj Bertin, SarodjBertin

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Celestrellas y tu opinión

Comments

(224)

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1 16 08

By Myrlene Distler

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Marjorie Vincent was Miss America in the 1990 she need to step forward to show that Haiti have some of the most beautiful people on earth.

1 16 08

By jUAN

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SHE IS ASIAN AND DOESN'T REPRESENT HAITI WHICH ARE ALL 100% BLACK AFRICANOS.

3 18 08

By carole lamarque

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

Beauty is inward not outward! And she has stepped up and em-
bodies the spirit of all that is good in Haiti, in mankind!
She has her mind and her heart in all the right places! Much
too often young "Haitian" ladies behave according to a script
written long ago by some political leaders: prostitution, in
the proper and figurative sense! She not! She is an outstan-
ding young Haitian Lady! a Human Being! All Haitians should
be proud of her!

0 22 08

By gertrude neptune

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yes indeed myrlene we are good and beautiful people. Go marjorie!!!!

1 16 08

By mirlande

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WE THANK GOD FFOR HELPING US MAKING THAT FAR, WE THANK YOU BERTIN FOR REPRESENTING US ON THE HARDES MOMENT ON OUR HISTORY YOU GIVE US SOMETHING TO SMILE ABOUT. WIN OR LOSE WE PROUD OF YOU.
HAITI PAP PERI," HAITI WILL NOT DIE"

4 19 08

By Marilyn Needham

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I am so happy to see Haiti represented! All eyes of the world are on Haiti. It is the pivot point of our world. Through disaster there is hope, love and beauty. Haitian People are beautiful! This lovely young woman embodies the heart and soul of Haiti.
Thank you Ms. Bertin for taking all of us with you! You are an inspiration!

1 16 08

By jmzfmds1

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ABSOLUTELY!

1 16 08

By Nadege Cayo

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As a Haitian person my self, I think she has everthing that represents our country. Beauty, smarts, style, humor and determination. I will vote for her a trillion times if I could ..

I can wait to see live on AUG 23....

1 16 08

By Susie

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I do not have a problem with her "not looking black or Haitian". My problem with her even entering the contest is she has not even lived there in how long?

"Ms. Bertin is a 24-year-old lawyer who speaks four languages and recently returned to Haiti after living in exile in the Dominican Republic. She returned to help in the rebuilding of her cherished nation, to help lead Haiti to better times, to more peaceful times."

Ok, she has not been in Haiti since she was 2 years old. She went onto better countries and took advantage of some other countries aid probably to get educated and now she comes back on a spur of the moment and says "oh wow easy win", I am gorgeous and people feel sorry for Haiti atm.

I do not think she represents Haiti at all or its people. A true Haitian does not look like her, and a true Haitian would not have lived elsewhere for 22 of her 24 years. Not like California would pick Ms. California from someone who lived in England all her life.

That is my issue with the entire thing. Publicity.!

1 16 08

By hypocrite

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she looks asian/european, NOT haitian. is she black? she also has straight hair. ridiculous. you are not haitian lady, wake up. haitian people are black.

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