SYDNEY, N.S. — Naomi Colford took on the country and Saturday, it’s the world.
Nineteen-year-old Colford of Sydney, Miss World Canada 2019, will be one of 111 women from across the world vying for the Miss World crown at the Excel Arena in London, England.
“It’s been an incredible experience I’ll never forget,” Colford said in a phone interview with the Post from London Thursday night. “I’ve made wonderful friendships that are going to last throughout my whole life. The girls, we’ve all gotten so close these past few weeks and we already have travel plans to visit different countries.”
A second-year university nursing student, Colford captured the title of Miss World Canada in July over 55 other contestants from coast-to-coast, at the Toronto Centre for the Arts Lyric Theatre.
Since then, Colford said she's been busy with various competitions that are incorporated into the final score at the finale, including the talent competition in which she placed third with her jazz solo. Colford was trained for dance in Cape Breton, adding she’s proud of that.
"That says a lot about our level of training in Cape Breton,” she said.
"It felt amazing to be able to do this for my province and for my country. I was so proud. It was a big accomplishment, an honour.”
Meanwhile, rehearsals for the finale continued Friday and will again Saturday.
Not feeling nervous, Colford said it's because they’ve all been working hard in preparation for the big night and with all the rehearsals, she feels well prepared.
Colford said the 111 girls in the competition are all extremely supportive of each other, whether you need a bobby pin or hairspray.
"The girls are a big support team, you can go to pretty much anyone."
Colford has already made history at the Miss World competition, being, the first Nova Scotian to compete in the event in its 68-year history. She is also being named as a top 10 contender on some of the various pageant sites.
The Sydney woman says she’s happy to be there and enjoying every minute of the experience.
“I’m so happy to go out and represent Canada, Nova Scotia and Cape Breton,” she said.
Some family will be watching the show live streamed at home but some will be a bit closer, as she has family and friends who will be there to see it live.
“I’m super proud and I’m super excited to see how it all goes,” she said.
“We’ll get to see who’s the next Miss World (Saturday).”
The Miss World pageant will be live streamed here.
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Miss World Canada 2019, Naomi Colford of Sydney, N.S., shines
