MISS Universe, Leila Lopes, yesterday paid a courtesy call on President Donald Ramotar in the company of a small entourage, three days before she makes a special guest appearance at the 2012 Miss Guyana Universe pageant.

The 27-year-old native of Angola, who made history as the first woman from that country to win the Miss Universe crown in Sao Paulo, Brazil, had an enlightening conversation with the Head of State in the presence of Acting Minister of Tourism Irfaan Ali, Minister of Human Services and Social Security Jennifer Webster, and Presidential Adviser on Community Development Odinga Lumumba.
“Normally when we know we’re going to meet a President, we tend to feel a little bit nervous but he made me feel very comfortable… he asked me about my country I asked him about his country… it was a very nice conversation,” Miss Lopes said.
She is looking forward to being at the upcoming Miss Guyana Universe pageant, including meeting and interacting with the 11 delegates to motivate and inspire them to understand what it takes to win the crown.
“At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter how beautiful you are; you have to be smart,” Lopes said in an invited comment to the Government Information Agency.
Lopes will be performing the duties of crowning Miss Guyana Universe who will be representing the country at the 61st Miss Universe Pageant to be held on December 11 at a venue announced by the Miss Universe Organisation.
The final segment of the pageant will be staged tomorrow at the Princess Hotel, two days after the question and answer segment which was scheduled for last evening at the National Communications Network.