Nova Stevens confident of winning Miss Universe title

May 5, 2021

Ask Nova Stevens what the experience of winning the Miss Universe Canada crown was like and you would expect the responses to vary from ‘overwhelming’ to ‘amazing’.

There were many compliments, especially as she is just the second Black to win the title since Juliette Powell made history in 1989.

Stevens expected that.

She, however, wasn’t prepared for the countless egregious racist remarks on social media.

“The magnitude of that was so large and it came from people all over the world,” Stevens said. “It was something I didn’t expect on that scale.”

Canada’s representative at the 69th Miss Universe contest in Florida on May 16 is steeling herself to deal with the backlash.

“If I win Miss Universe, I will be seen everywhere around the world and that means I am going to be encountering people from different backgrounds and beliefs,” she pointed out. “The negativity I have faced in the last few months has reminded me that I should always be strong despite what others might have to say about you and to not let the words of others define me. That has been the biggest takeaway.”

Since moving to Vancouver in 2014, Stevens has pursued modelling and acting.

She has also become a vocal anti-racism advocate.

Last June, Stevens co-organized the Freedom March what attracted nearly 15,000 people protesting police brutality in the wake of George Floyd’ death. She also played a leading role in lobbying Mayor Kennedy Stewart to declare August 1 as Emancipation Day in Vancouver.

Knowing that a pageant platform, if utilized effectively, can amplify her message, Stevens provided a powerful missive after being declared Miss Universe Canada.

“As I stand before you, I want you to see me as a Black woman,” she shared on Instagram. “Yes. I want you to see colour because seeing colour does not mean you’re racist. Instead, it allows you to see the struggles experienced by people of colour. You’ve heard the news, you’ve read the stories. Innocent Black lives have been lost to police brutality and hate crimes. We want you to see us. We want you to hear us. We want you to feel us. I ask that you diversify your surroundings because when you do that, it creates a better understanding. Know that hate is taught, therefore we can unlearn it…I promise to remain true to who I am and use my power which is my voice.”

Nova Stevens was crowned Miss Universe Canada in October 2020 (Photo by Allumski)

Stevens beat out 39 contestants for the national crown last October.

It was her third attempt in six years.

“After my second time, I didn’t want to do it again,” Stevens said. “I locked away my pageant shoes and sash.”

Watching South African model Zozibini Tunzi win the 2019 Miss Universe pageant made her have second thoughts.

“Here was a woman who has dark like me and her hair was short and the same texture as mine,” said Stevens who wore a weave in 2014. “I saw myself through her. That was my inspiration to try one more time. It showed me that if Miss Universe can see this beautiful Black woman, then why can’t Canada. I really wanted them to see me and that’s why my hair was short. I was unapologetically myself and it worked in my favour.”

What was it like competing in a pageant during a pandemic?

“We always had to wear a mask and engage in social distancing,” said Stevens who has appeared in Dairy Queen, Toyota Corolla, Jared’s Jewelry and Macy’s commercials and in television shows ‘See’, ‘Motherland: Fort Salem’ and ‘The Magicians’. “So the participants missed out on the aspect where the girls build on relationships. In previous pageants, I got close to some of the contestants and was able to build lifelong bonds. We couldn’t do that last year even though we tried as best as we could. It was hard as was the fact that I didn’t have family and friends who have been there with me throughout this whole process.

“I just wish there was an audience and they could have been part of it to join me in the celebration of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Nevertheless, the other contestants were very supportive and when I won, they cheered so loudly that I felt as I was in a stadium filled with people.”

Before heading to Florida for Miss Universe that will air in more than 160 countries, she travelled to western Ethiopia on April 17 to reunite with her family for the first time in 22 years.

Stevens was willing to take the risk to travel to Africa for eight days in the midst of COVID-19.

“With the pandemic, I realize there are limitations, but we can still do the things we want to, providing we follow the proper protocols,” she said. “The worst thing I would want to experience is not having the opportunity to see my parents and siblings again. COVID has taught me that tomorrow isn’t promised.”

Born in Kenya to parents who fled the civil war in South Sudan, Stevens came to Canada as a six-year old with a teenage cousin, leaving her mother in a United Nations camp in South Sudan and her father and siblings in Ethiopia.

“My guess is that my parents wanted me to have a better life,” she surmised. “At the time, I thought it was a vacation. It turned out to be a very long one, but I am grateful. I wouldn’t have the opportunities I have had if I wasn’t in Canada and I am happy for that.”

The third time was a charm for Nova Stevens (Photo contributed)

Landing in Newfoundland in 1999, Stevens also resided in Kitchener, Mississauga, Calgary and Toronto before moving to Vancouver.

With assistance from a youth transition program in Alberta that helped her complete high school and become independent, she has lived on her own since age 15.

Cognizant of the important role that an organization played in helping her to become self-sufficient motivated Stevens to support several non-profits over the years.

They include Keep6ixorg that helps with the rehabilitation of young men who were incarcerated, Operation Smile that provides lifesaving reconstructive cleft surgeries and increase overall surgical safety, quality and capacity globally and Feed it Forward that aims to feed Canadians who are food insecure and reduce food waste.

Stevens, a supporter of The DNA Brand that assists individuals and communities facing challenges, recently formed a non-profit to help young people reach their potential.

“I was part of an organization that helped me and shaped who I am and it’s my turn to do the same thing to assist others,” she added.