Q. You took a break from competitions and pageants for a while. What did you do between 1999 and 2008? A. I was working in China as a model, singer, and dancer for the majority of the time. I honestly thought that competitions were no longer for me. However, I met Maria Sarungi–the organizer of Miss Universe Tanzania and Miss Earth Tanzania– and she offered me a chance to go as the candidate for Tanzania had dropped out. When I returned to modeling, I became open to anything new that could change my life. Q. Clearly, the break did you wonders as you came runner-up in Miss Earth. A. When I found out I had been chosen to represent Tanzania, I had just one week to get ready and go. But I was determined to make that the moment where I became the star that I always knew I could be. I received a lot of support from my manager, Maria, and the team in Tanzania, and I also knew that a lot of Tanzanians were cheering me on. When I placed, I couldn’t believe it, and I had nothing but gratitude. To date, I mark it as one of the best moments of my life because I proved to myself and the world that nothing is impossible.
as a mother and am really enjoying motherhood even more than my work and career. Most women are afraid of change. They are anxious about moving jobs or fear leaving a boyfriend that they can’t stand. You need to know your worth. The day you settle for less is the day you will get less. I say embrace change because you never know what lies around the corner. Q. What are your plans for the future? A. I have lots of plans, but what will eventually come of them is unknown because our plan is not always God’s plan. I hope that in the coming year, I will have advanced beyond modeling into humanitarian activities. People say the sky’s the limit. I definitely think that’s true. Q. If you could give one tip to aspiring models, what would it be? A. Stay natural and be true to yourself at all times. Be confident, patient, compassionate, generous, and, most importantly, have courage. Embrace change because you never know what lies around the corner HOW IT ALL BEGAN Originally from Arusha, Miriam Odemba began her modeling career in 1997 at 14 by winning the Miss Temeke beauty pageant. Over the next two years, she competed in various pageants, including Miss Tanzania, where she finished in the top 10. Miriam continued her journey to success by coming second in Miss East Africa in 1998 and the top three of the M-Net Face of Africa model search. In 1999 Miriam made history as she became the first Tanzanian to win an Elite Model contract, transforming modeling in Tanzania forever. Nearly a decade later, Miriam took the world by storm as she relaunched her career in Miss Earth, one of the world’s top beauty pageants. Under new management, Miriam was runner-up in the 2008 Miss Earth and won the Miss Earth Water crown–a first for any Tanzanian in a major beauty pageant. Now a mother of one, Miriam lives in Paris and works as a freelance model and environmental ambassador.
Q. Do you like living in Paris? A. Yes, la vie est belle. I come back to Tanzania around four times a year and try to give back to my community.
Q. More African models are finding success. What would you put this down to? A. I actually think that even more African women should be up there. We are still not recognized in the modeling industry as much as we should be. We are often limited in shows and photo shoots. Thankfully, more and more of us have started speaking up, and we support each other. That’s why we have been gaining more visibility lately. Q. You have a daughter now. How do you juggle work and motherhood? A. Being a mother has made me more responsible. It’s hard work, but I believe that a mother is the engine of the family. I am happier
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