Royal Spotlight: Fayola Delica, Ms. Flordia Plus America 2018

The Royal Spotlight is an interview series where I highlight queens from a variety of pageant systems. This month I have the pleasure of featuring Fayola Delica, Ms. Florida Plus America 2018.

Tell us about yourself.

My name is Fayola Delica. I am a native from Florida. I was born in Miami, Florida and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. I am one of three children of two Haitian immigrants who are small business owners. I am a Prophetess/Evangelist/Minister, Religious Teacher, Registered Nurse (BSN), Author of 6 books, Award-winning International Speaker, Community Leader, Serial Entrepreneur, Educator, Youth Advocate, Beauty Queen, Talk Show Host, Business Consultant, and Political Strategist.

When did you start competing in pageants?

I started competing in pageants in 2016 after a friend that I met through a book tour shared with me the experience she had in competing for Ms. Corporate America. She had encouraged me to compete and that same year I did as Ms. Fort Lauderdale, Florida 2016. That was my very first beauty pageant. Ironically, that same night at the Ms. Corporate America Pageant, the State Director for Miss Florida Plus America Pageant, Mr. Rafael Gallego, asked me to compete in Ms.Florida Plus America that year in which I had less than a month to plan for. I competed as Ms. Miami Dade Plus America 2016 and was first runner up for Ms. Florida Plus America 2016. After not winning the crown, I thought that was it for me in competing in pageants as I do not like to lose.

Mr. Gallego asked me to compete in another pageant he produces which was Miss Gospel International, which is a preliminary for Miss Florida Plus America Pageant. I competed in 2017, and I placed as first runner up for Ms. Gospel Curve International 2017. In March 2018, I competed in Miss Florida Plus America Pageant as Ms. South Florida Plus America and was crowned Ms. Florida Plus America 2018. Then, this past July I competed at our national pageant, Miss Plus America 2018. I placed as first runner up for Ms. Plus America 2018.

Why do you compete in pageants?

I competed in the Ms. Corporate America Pageant in 2016 because I was looking for a space to really take my business, image, and platform to another level. In the process, I grew a sisterhood with my fellow and former beauty queens from this system. There was a bond between us because all of us were leading or emerging in our respective professions. When I became a part of the Miss Florida Plus America/Miss Plus America pageant system, I gained a family that is there for one another through the ups and downs of life.

Before competing in pageants, I was a pretty confident person, but I did not realize I lacked some confidence when it came to loving my body as a plus size woman. I found out that I was not as confident in my skin as I thought, especially after competing in Ms. Gospel International in 2017. Now, in 2019, I am competing because it is part of my ministry as part of my platform is about empowering women to be all that God has intended for them to be. Beauty comes in all colors, shapes, and sizes, and as plus women we have to “own it” and strut our stuff just as sassy and classy as the other beauty queens, whom society tends to think is prettier and worthier to be called beauty queens because they are slimmer and maybe even taller than us.

In addition it is about taking my personal brand and exposing it to a broader audience. In connecting with beauty queens, I want to encourage them to use their exposure and image to take their platform, passion, and/or cause to a larger scale. With my experience as a beauty queen, it is about becoming a global citizen with my platform and supporting other beauty queens around the world. I believe beauty queens should reign with a purpose as it is just more than just a sash and a crown. It is about using your influence to do good in the world.

How many titles have you won?

First Runner up for Ms. Florida Plus America 2016

First Runner up for Ms. Gospel Curve International 2017

Ms. Florida Plus America 2018

First Runner up for Ms. Plus America 2018

Tell us about the Ms. Florida Plus America pageant system.

The Miss Florida Plus America Pageant System is an organization that is based on values of pageantry as a way of enhancing one’s personal and professional development. This pageant is a state pageant for Miss Plus America Pageant System, which is based in Atlanta. This pageant opens the door for women who are plus size, meaning they wear a 14W or larger. This pageant is a great place to expose your platform, passion, and/or cause on a bigger stage.

It is a great opportunity and experience to be a part of the pageantry world because of it being faith-based and building the true essence of sisterhood as well as womanhood. My state director, Mr. Gallego, and his staff as well as the former and current queens are my pageant family. I am truly humbly grateful to be a part of this pageant system.

What have you learned about yourself through your pageant experience?

I have learned a deeper understanding of who I am and my purpose through my pageant experience. I have become a stronger, confident, and more purposeful woman who happens to also be a beauty queen. Also, I have come to learn that my God-given gifts to minister and prophesy cannot be in a box. God has not only called me to minister in the church walls and as an evangelist to the unchurched but also to use my gifts to speak to the God-given gifts of the girls and women as well as boys and men in the pageantry world. With my pageantry experience, I am realizing more and more I still have so much more to offer this world with my gifts, skills, and talents.

What are your future plans for your pageant career?

I never know what God has in store for me. One of the latest endeavors that relates to my pageant career is being a founding partner with my pageant coach and friend, Cassandre Joseph, former Miss Haiti International Beauty Queen, as we co-founded Royale International, a pageant service and training boutique, and Royale Talent Management, an exclusive talent management firm for acting and modeling. Also, we are National Co-Directors for international beauty pageants around the world.

What words of advice do you live by?

The word of advice that I live by is that you should live life to the fullest. You are not promised tomorrow, and you have to live life with no fears and regrets. Nothing in life is easy and when life hands you lemons, just make sure to make some good lemonade. With that my favorite Bible verse is “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:13 (NIV). Many opportunities will come in life, but you have to know which one will give you the best results of reaching your goals and dreams. However, you will never know which opportunities to take if you never test them out.

Please provide your contact information so that others can reach
out to you. Email? Social media handles?

Website: www.fayoladelica.com

Email: info@fayoladelica.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/msflplus2018

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msfloridaplusamerica2018/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MsFloridaPlusAmerica2018/