London Model
The day that Vida Samadzai stepped onstage wearing a red bikini as Miss Afghanistan, her life changed in
a flash. The beauty pageant norms of celebrating the female form and hailing for world peace quickly
vanished to be replaced by riots in the Muslim world. Vida immediately become the subject of death
threats and scorn from both the Afghan Government and the public alike. Women Ministers added fuel to
the fire accusing the young women of promoting an unacceptable and unelected impression of their
country. Vida has been the subject of such a barrage of repeated public attacks that she can no longer
return to her own country and now resides in the USA.
Despite her struggles she has been approached by both Bollywood and Hollywood film makers to
document her experiences. We discover Vida’s side of the story and the bitter sweet life that has followed.
kelly@lifeofamodel.com
Were you nervous of the reaction of the Muslim community before you entered the beauty contest?
Yes, I had an idea that they had heard about me,
and that they might not like the idea of me
participating in the pageant. But I really had no idea
that i t would get such global attention and that it
would be so controversial. So it has totally changed
my life.
Before you stepped out
onto the stage in front of
the worlds media in the
now infamous red bikini,
did you feel afraid?
I was a bit nervous, but
really not afraid. But it
wasn't until I started
getting almost every
country's biggest
interviews, and contact
wi th Afghan officials that it
alarmed me as being a
huge move. I didn’ t know
how to handle the reaction. So sure, taking the risk
was scary. But, no matter what, I would not have
quitted.
Were the other beauty queens aware of your
position and the possible reaction towards you?
If so, how did they behave?
They sure were aware of the attention. Miss France,
Miss Australia, Miss India, Miss Wales, Miss Costa
Rica and Miss Colombia would come up to me and
say, 'oh my family saw your pictures and interviews
in our newspaper or TV stations back home’. Many
people in my country do not have access to TV and
it is government controlled anyway so they knew
more than I could imagine. Most of them would
show plenty of support and encouragement, and this
has been increasing.
Were you surprised by the level of press interest
following the competition?
Of course. I was more surprised that after the
competition, there was sti ll media interest and there
was even more once I got to the USA. I really didn’t
expect such a fuss about me in a red swimsuit. I am
a respectable, educated young woman and I am not
doing anything wrong.
What were the most positive comments made to
you by the women of Afghanistan?
So many people said wonderful things to me,
although the negatives outweighed the positives.
However, I guess in life the one that shouts the
loudest gets the most attention. 'Thanks for opening
the doors for us', 'You are our leader', 'You are a
brave woman', 'You symbolize liberty'. Even men,
fathers, husbands, and brothers emailed me and
talked to me live on TV and admire what I did. This
surprised me the most.
How do you feel that you have helped to
enhance the position of women by taking part in
the beauty competition?
By making the wor ld aware of women's living,
political and social status by giving interviews. I
often have non-
Afghans approach
me at speeches and
tell me that I have
opened the door to
them regarding
Afghan women's
living styles. We are
beautiful, intelligent
and kind people. So,
I know that word of
mouth really does
help. This makes me
happy.
Do you believe that
intelligence is valued as highly as beauty in
Western society?
Yes. I understand that beauty is appreciated
everywhere around the world. However, it is
intelligence that doesn't fade. In Western societies,
you see more women being a huge par t of business,
fami ly and society's success. Behind every
successful man, there is a woman. We have heard
of this quote before. F D Roosevelt's wife was his
advisor for the most part.
When people began to approach you to
write books and to make films of your
experience what was your feeling?
I have been approached many times by
filmmakers from Bollywood but decided to
hold out for the right people. This is my life,
not a soap opera. However, then I realised
that people talk about me regardless, so it is
better for the message if I am involved.
Recently I have begun working with a
wonderful team in Hollywood. I can’t talk
about the details qui te yet, but it is very exciting and
wi ll help to spread the word and change our futures
for the better.
What does the future bring for you now?
I am closely involved with fundraising, community
involvements, and non-profi t organizations nationally
and internationally. I feel proud that I have made
history, broken the ice. I won't give up so that one
day I can see a posi tive affect, not only on my
society but around the world too.
Interview by Kelly England
