With a career spanning more than 20 years, Stasha Sanchez, your newly crowned Miss Continental 2018 is truly a testament to the fact that when you work at your dreams – one day they will come true. Her hard work and determination have brought her to this pivotal moment in her career – and there’s no stopping her now. Long Live The Queen!
Interview by Louie G & @ContinentalPagentry
How does it finally feel to have finally captured your dream? What was going through your mind at crowning?
Knowing all the hard work that I put into it and finally being rewarded with the outcome that I have always prayed for, feels amazing! During crowning, when the 2nd Runner Up was called, I turned to the side while rubbing my arm and thought, they better not call #27. Lol! Then, when the 1st Runner Up was called out, my thoughts were the same. Before the winner was announced, I kept thinking to myself, “Are they about to do this? Please do this. After my name was called, it was an out-of-body experience that I have never felt before.
Knowing all the hard work that I put into it and finally being rewarded with the outcome that I have always prayed for, feels amazing! During crowning, when the 2nd Runner Up was called, I turned to the side while rubbing my arm and thought, they better not call #27. Lol! Then, when the 1st Runner Up was called out, my thoughts were the same. Before the winner was announced, I kept thinking to myself, “Are they about to do this? Please do this. After my name was called, it was an out-of-body experience that I have never felt before.
When did you know you wanted to be Miss Continental and how many years did it take you?
I wanted to be Miss Continental when I saw the VHS Tape of Chanel Dupree winning the title. A few years later, I viewed Mimi Marks winning the title and that solidified my thoughts on wanting to be Miss Continental. During the time span of 2002-2018, it took me 9 attempts to capture the prestigious title!
I wanted to be Miss Continental when I saw the VHS Tape of Chanel Dupree winning the title. A few years later, I viewed Mimi Marks winning the title and that solidified my thoughts on wanting to be Miss Continental. During the time span of 2002-2018, it took me 9 attempts to capture the prestigious title!
Besides your love for the pageant, what drove you to keep coming back and never giving up?
Loyalty! I am a loyal individual and anything I start, I finish!
Loyalty! I am a loyal individual and anything I start, I finish!
How does winning this pageant differ from other pageants you’ve won in the past?
The timing of the win is what differs the most. I am a totally different woman now than I was when I captured past titles. My mental, spiritual, and physical journey that I am on has aided me into becoming the virtuous woman that you see today.
The timing of the win is what differs the most. I am a totally different woman now than I was when I captured past titles. My mental, spiritual, and physical journey that I am on has aided me into becoming the virtuous woman that you see today.
How did your involvement in the ballroom scene contribute to your stage and pageant life?
Honestly, it was the lessons that I learned in pageantry such as the power of having stage presence that helped me be successful in ballroom.
Honestly, it was the lessons that I learned in pageantry such as the power of having stage presence that helped me be successful in ballroom.
Has your personality or ego ever caused you to lose friends or acquaintances in your years of doing shows or competing in pageants? How did you or do you deal with that?
My ego nor personality has never caused me to lose friends or acquaintances. I believe a lot of people have pre-judged me off of things they heard and never took the time to really get to know me for themselves.
How did you feel about fellow ATLien Raquel Lord running for Continental? Where is your friendship now?
I didn’t feel any type of way about her competing. Every girl has a right to do what needs to be done to capture her dream. We will always be sisters.
I didn’t feel any type of way about her competing. Every girl has a right to do what needs to be done to capture her dream. We will always be sisters.
What was your biggest challenge getting to where you wanted to be in your career?
The biggest challenge for me was learning how to master the art form of female impersonation and learning how to properly deal with hate and envy from those around me and in the public.
The biggest challenge for me was learning how to master the art form of female impersonation and learning how to properly deal with hate and envy from those around me and in the public.
What difference do you want to work towards making with yourself and the community?
The difference I want to make is to make sure I exude peace and love. If the community sees and feels the genuine love I possess, I think they will follow suit and that will assist us in becoming better as a whole.
The difference I want to make is to make sure I exude peace and love. If the community sees and feels the genuine love I possess, I think they will follow suit and that will assist us in becoming better as a whole.
What is your advice for… a younger queen just getting their start in pageantry?
My advice for a younger queen would be to listen and take constructive criticism. Take heed to what is being said and apply it to your career in a way that it will benefit you.
My advice for a younger queen would be to listen and take constructive criticism. Take heed to what is being said and apply it to your career in a way that it will benefit you.
What is your advice to other contestants that want to compete for the Continental System?
The advice I would give is to never be discouraged and never give up. Remember dreams don’t have an expiration date and it is up to you to achieve what you want.
The advice I would give is to never be discouraged and never give up. Remember dreams don’t have an expiration date and it is up to you to achieve what you want.
