My name is Alfie Akram — short for Alfira — I’m 27 years old, and I was born in Urumqi, a city in the Xinjiang region of China, I am proudly Uyghur. Today, I live in Dubai — a vibrant, multicultural city that I’m proud to call home.
– You live in Dubai but have Chinese and Californian roots: how important is this cultural connection to you and how does it influence your identity?
My cultural identity is layered, complex, and something I hold very close to my heart. I am Uyghur — an ethnic minority with deep roots, rich traditions, and a history that is often overlooked. Though I was born in China, I did not grow up feeling Chinese. My heritage, language, faith, and values were different from the world around me. As a Muslim girl growing up bilingual in Uyghur and Chinese, I learned early on how to exist between worlds.
At 15, I left home and began navigating life on my own — living in Egypt, then Thailand, and eventually moving to Los Angeles at 17. In LA, I found a sense of freedom, but also faced a new struggle: how to define myself when the country I came from doesn’t even appear on the map. I no longer had one clear “home,” but rather many — and this, I came to see, is the beauty of it.
Today, living in Dubai, I embrace being a true citizen of the world. My identity isn’t confined to one box. I carry the strength of my Uyghur blood, the resilience of growing up as a minority, the open-mindedness of the West, and the cultural sensitivity shaped by my travels. When someone asks, “Where are you from?” I say: I am Uyghur — that is my truth, and it will never change. But who I’ve become is a mosaic of the many cultures, countries, and experiences that have shaped me.
– What aspects of your multicultural background will you try to highlight during your experience at Miss Europe Continental?
What I’d love to highlight is the sense of independence and adaptability that comes from growing up across vastly different cultures. My background has taught me how to connect deeply with people — regardless of where they come from — because I’ve lived life through many lenses. Whether it was navigating language barriers, respecting different traditions, or learning to feel at home in unfamiliar places, each chapter has shaped me into someone who is both grounded in her identity and flexible in her perspective.
I want to use this platform to show that identity isn’t limited to geography or labels. It’s about the values you carry, the resilience you’ve built, and the way you choose to show up in the world. Through my presence, I hope to represent women who live between cultures and inspire others to find strength in their unique stories.
– What does it mean to you to carry California’s name high?
To carry California’s name high means representing a place of freedom, diversity, and limitless possibility. It’s where I found my voice and the courage to be myself. I’m proud to reflect the spirit of California — bold, open-minded, and authentically me.
– Looking back on your personal journey, is there a moment or experience that you feel has shaped you into the woman you are today?
There isn’t just one defining moment — it’s every challenge, every transition, and every step I’ve taken that has shaped me. From leaving home at a young age to building a life across different countries, each experience has added a layer to who I am. It’s the journey as a whole — not one single moment — that has made me a resilient, adaptable, and self-aware woman today.
– You’re passionate about fashion and travel: which destination has inspired you the most from a stylistic perspective and why?
One of the most inspiring places for me, stylistically, has been Dubai. It’s a city where tradition meets high fashion, where modesty and modernity coexist beautifully. The diversity here influences everything — from the fabrics to the silhouettes — and it’s shown me how style can be both expressive and respectful. Fashion for me isn’t about trends; it’s about identity, elegance, and confidence.
– Among your travels, what was the most significant moment, the one that made you grow as a person?
The most significant moment was when I moved to Los Angeles at 17, completely on my own — and without even speaking English at the time. I had no safety net, no family around me — just a strong will to build a better life. Learning to navigate a new language, culture, and way of living taught me independence, resilience, and how to truly trust myself. That chapter pushed me beyond my limits and shaped me into the woman I am today.
– What does beauty mean to you? And how important do you think it is today to redefine it through authenticity?
To me, beauty is more than appearance — it’s presence, confidence, and how you treat others. True beauty shines when you’re fully yourself, without trying to fit into someone else’s standard. In today’s world, redefining beauty through authenticity is more important than ever. We need to celebrate individuality, not perfection — because real beauty lives in our stories, our strength, and our truth.
– How important is the role of women in fashion and international competitions to you? Do you feel part of a change?
The role of women in fashion and international competitions is incredibly powerful — because it’s no longer just about appearance, it’s about voice, identity, and visibility. These platforms give women the space to express who they are and what they stand for.
Yes, I do feel part of a change. Coming from a background where women’s voices are often silenced, standing here today is already a statement. I’m proud to be part of a new generation of women who are using beauty as a platform for strength, diversity, and purpose.
– And finally, what do you hope to convey to the public and the jury through your participation in this competition?
Through my participation, I want to share the message that even when life takes you through darkness, pain, and uncertainty, you can still rise — with grace, purpose, and authenticity. My journey has been one of navigating challenges, carrying invisible weight, and learning to believe in myself when the world didn’t understand me.
I want to represent the strength that comes from staying true to who you are — even when it’s not easy — and the beauty of finding yourself through it all. I hope to inspire others to embrace their own stories, no matter how complex, and to know that their uniqueness is their power.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/alfie.ra_
