Hello!!!! My name is Shirley THOREL, I am 33 years old, mixed race, with a Martinican mother and a French-Senegalese father. I am proud to represent my island Martinique for the first time in this competition. I was named 3rd runner-up at Miss Martinique 2024 and finalist of Top Model Europe Caribbean.
Being a beautician by profession and head of a beauty institute, what drives me is the world of beauty and fashion. I also like everything related to art such as dance and painting, but also hiking, traveling and nature.
– How did your journey into the world of fashion begin? Was it a dream since you were a child?
I always dreamed of being a model, when I was young I watched TV shows about top models, but for me it was still just a dream … It all really started when I met Myriam Jean Louis, a haute couture designer. I met her at a wedding. According to her, she analyzed and observed me a lot that day and saw potential in me. From there she offered me to be her model and muse. I immediately accepted, telling myself that it was a great opportunity and above all that it was part of my dreams, and that’s how it all began. We did shootings, then later fashion shows and thanks to her I had the chance to appear in 2 magazines like Amina and Voici. It’s a source of pride for me and I thank her again for everything she gave me, she made me grow and taught me to have a little more self-confidence even if it wasn’t a given.
I had the chance to collaborate with brands like Julia Boutique, Banana Moon, Soraya Swimwear. I also appeared in Creola Mag magazine… for me it’s a dream that is slowly coming true, for which I am very grateful, and I take this opportunity to thank all those people who saw this potential in me, to offer me all these beautiful projects. I am really proud of it.
– You have a quite active modeling career, how do you balance your public commitments with your private life?
Being a model is more than a passion: it’s a commitment, a showcase, a source of inspiration. I’ve learned to balance my public commitments with my private life by setting healthy boundaries and maintaining balance. I carefully choose what I share, to remain authentic while protecting my privacy. My private life is my anchor, my cocoon, which allows me to remain aligned and fulfilled in my career. Being visible doesn’t mean showing everything, it’s knowing how to shine without losing yourself.
– How much work and discipline does it take to keep up in such a competitive industry?
It takes a tremendous amount of work, rigor, and above all, discipline to stay afloat in such a competitive industry. It’s not just a matter of appearances; it’s a daily commitment: taking care of yourself, cultivating your mental state, developing your presence, learning to express yourself, and surpassing yourself. Behind every moment of grace on stage, there are hours of training, doubts, and perseverance. But when the passion is there, discipline becomes a strength, and every effort brings us closer to excellence.
– What message would you like to convey to young women who want to pursue a career in modeling?
If your dream is to be a model, leave your fears aside, don’t wait to be “perfect” or for the right time to do it because the right time is now and nothing is perfect in life. You have to believe very strongly in your dreams and give yourself the means to achieve them.
I didn’t have confidence in myself at all, today I gain confidence in myself a little more every day thanks to each experience I live. I give myself the means to do everything I dream of, so as to have no regrets. You are all beautiful as you are, you have everything in you, the main thing is to believe in it, persevere and go for it!
– As for the world of beauty contests, how do you feel about representing your country at an international competition based in Italy?
Representing my country internationally is a tremendous honor. Doing so in Italy, a land of elegance and culture, gives even more meaning to this adventure. It’s a source of pride to wear the colors of my island and show the world the richness of our identity.
– Who supports you on this journey?
I am lucky to have a close-knit and loving family who support me in every experience, always fully committed to all my projects, always giving good advice. I thank them for their love, their support, their trust, their advice as well as their motivation!!
– Being a Miss requires not only external beauty, but also a strong character and solid values. What are your main values?
My main values are first of all, respect, respect for myself and for others. Then determination, it is important for me to set goals and achieve them. Finally, resilience. For me, successes and failures are part of life and help me in my learning of life.
– What does it mean to you to represent Martinique at Miss Europe Continental?
Representing Martinique at Miss Continental Europe is more than just a title: it’s about embodying the grace, strength, and richness of an island with a vibrant heritage. It’s an opportunity to showcase our culture, history, and values on an international stage. I want to be the voice that shows that Martinique is more than just a paradise: it’s a land of elegance, talent, and pride.
– Do you see yourself as an entrepreneur, influencer, activist, or maybe an ambassador for some social cause?
As a business leader, I consider myself above all an entrepreneur but also an ambassador for a social cause, given my background and life experience. I would like to help women who are victims of violence to regain their self-confidence.
– Looking to the future, what are your biggest dreams, both personally and professionally?
My biggest professional dreams would be to be able to grow my business and also be an ambassador for brands that promote the values that are dear to me!
I would like to be an example for all the people who, like me, lacked self-confidence, but persevered and continued to believe in their dreams!
– Thank you for your time Shirley and for sharing something about yourself with the Miss Europe Continental community. See you soon in Naples
FOLLOW HER ON INSTAGRAM:
www.instagram.com/shirleythorel_off/
www.instagram.com/shirley_misseuropecont_mq/
1 Comments
Louisor
Je suis très fière de toi ma chérie ❤️ ❤️