- First of all, welcome to Miss Europe Continental! You’re officially one of the next Misses. Can you tell me something about yourself? Your name, where are you from and which country will you represent.
My name is Irena, and I come from the beautiful country of Albania. I’m honored to be here by representing Albania on the Miss Europe Continental stage. This experience is not only a personal dream come true, but also an opportunity to showcase the spirit, culture, and strength of the woman of my country.
- If you should describe yourself in three words, what would they be?
Hardworking,ambitious and kindhearted.
- What inspired you to take part in Miss Europe Continental, and how does it feel to represent Albania on such a stage?
My inspiration comes from a dream that has lived in my heart since I was a little girl. I grew up watching Miss and modeling competitions with wide eyes, imagining what it would feel like to walk on a beautiful stage, to shine, and to share my voice with the world. Those moments shaped me, they made me believe that even a small dream can grow into something real if you hold onto it with love and determination. Standing here today as Miss Albania feels like a fulfilled dream,the dream of a girl who once sat in front of the TV believing that one day it could be her.
- Beauty pageants are evolving beyond looks. What message or cause would you like to promote through Miss Europe Continental?
“Love yourself as you are”
Today, so many young women feel they must chase perfection through fillers, surgeries, or endless trends. They look at mirrors and social media and think that natural beauty isn’t enough. I’ve seen it, and I have felt it,but I also know something stronger: our real beauty lies in authenticity. This is my message: Love your natural self. True beauty is courageous, authentic, and fearless—it begins when you stop trying to be someone else. When we love ourselves as we are, we inspire others to do the same, creating a world where girls no longer feel they must change to belong—they shine by being themselves.
- What do you hope people remember about you after Miss Europe Continental?
After Miss Europe Continental ends, I want people to remember me for the energy, heart and the message I brought. I want to be remembered as someone who inspired self-love,embracing our insecurities and turning them on self-confidence. Also I want to be remembered as someone who chased her dream fearlessly despite her obstacles.
- How did you parents or friend react about your participation? Do they support you?
My family and friends have been incredibly supportive from the beginning. Their belief in me gives me strength and motivates me to give my very best. Without my wonderful family I wouldn’t be here with such enthusiasm as I am now. I grew up in a place where chasing these ‘kind’ of dreams is judged harshly by most of the society,but my family and friends stand with me and their support made my journey meaningful.
- Do you have a secret dream? If you could make one wish come true, what would it be?
I come from a small place where modeling was never seen as a real possibility, yet I held onto that dream for years. Eventually, I decided to step out of my comfort zone, to be brave, and to give myself a chance. Participating in different shows, and now standing here at Miss Europe Continental, is proof that nothing is impossible when you believe in yourself. My wish is that every girl, no matter where she comes from, realizes that her dreams are valid and that courage can take her further than she ever imagined. So,my secret dream is to stand on different international stages,to get crowned and use these achievements to inspire young girls to believe in their own dreams and also one day I dream to be as professional as to be able to participate as a jury on beauty competitions.
- Do you have a personal motto? Or a quote that you like and represents you.
Ecxept ‘loving yourself as you are’ which entirely represents my message in this competition,I also have a motto that helps me everytime I overthink “ I give my all to what I can control—and I give my peace to what I can’t.”
To me, this motto is more than just a sentence; it is a promise to myself. As someone who is energetic, hardworking, kindhearted, and ambitious, I naturally pour all of my energy into everything I do. I want to grow, I want to achieve, and I want to make a difference. But along that journey, I’ve learned that not everything is in my hands and that’s okay. It’s a commitment to protect my peace, even when my mind wants to run ahead. It’s a reminder that I am responsible for my effort, not for the things I cannot change.
- How do you see yourself in ten years?
In ten years, I see myself becoming the woman I’m working so hard to grow into today—strong, fulfilled, and deeply connected to the things that matter most to me. I imagine myself still ambitious, but at peace with the journey. Still dreaming, but proud of how far I’ve come. And above all, I hope to look back and see that every step I took shaped me into the woman I dreamed of. I envision myself as a successful businesswoman, leading with both confidence and kindness. I want to build something that reflects who I am—my values, my creativity, and my belief that women can be powerful without losing their softness.
But alongside my career, I also see myself surrounded by love. Family means everything to me, and in ten years I hope to have created a home filled with warmth, support, and laughter—a space where I can be both strong and vulnerable, where I can give love just as deeply as I receive it.
And of course, I still see myself on stages. Whether I’m speaking, leading, creating, or inspiring, I want to use every platform I have to remind people that dreams are not just meant to be wished for, but lived and I want to be the best example of it.
- Lastly, If you could send one message to all the women watching you on stage, what would it be?
My message to all women is this: Never underestimate your strength. Your dreams matter, and so does your voice. Learn how to say NO to others and how to say YES to your inner voice. Believe in yourself unapologetically, work hard, and remember that the most beautiful thing is embracing yourself as you are.
