The perfect combination of beauty and brains is the best way to describe Miss Universe Sri Lanka 2012 winner Sabrina Herft. Within minutes of speaking to her, it’s easy to see why the judging panel picked her to represent the country. Possessing a strong character and an admiral determination to bring Sri Lanka to the forefront, Sabrina is a perfect example of the Sri Lankan woman.
Educated at the Asian International School and then British School in Colombo before she moved to Melbourne in 2007 to follow a degree in Media and Communications; a career in media has always been a strong draw for Sabrina, which is one of the reasons she never thought she’d ever end up taking part in a pageant, let alone winning one.
Speaking about her work experience, she said “After university I worked for an Australian TV station called Channel 7. Media is such a broad area and we were really only taught on a theory basis at university, so I didn’t really have much of an opportunity to explore my options. But when I started working at Channel 7, it was an amazing opportunity for me to really experience media. I believe TV was my calling; I got to meet a wide range of people. I was constantly moving about, not stuck at a desk somewhere so it never got old.”
While she enjoyed her work there, she began to miss home a lot, which resulted in her returning in November last year for a well needed break. She then began working at a World Bank funded project as a media coordinator in January this year. It was after a little urging by her very persuasive friends that Sabrina entered the Miss Sri Lanka pageant.
She describes the overall experience as life changing for her as it taught her much about her self and showed her the hard work that goes on behind the pageant. “I think it’s important to change the way pageants are perceive by the public. It’s not just about pretty faces, there’s so much more to it. You have to be knowledgeable about currents affairs, social causes, public speaking etc. I believe taking part in the pageant can even help you later on in life because of all the skills we learn during. I certainly grew from the experience and would encourage other girls to take part as well.”
Since her win, Sabrina has been travelling and was most recently seen on the runways of the Chennai Fashion Week where she walked the ramp as a showstopper for Sri Lankan designers Darshi Keerthisena and Prabath Samarasooriya. At the moment, her focus is on preparing herself for the Miss Universe pageant slated for December this year by continuing her public speaking classes with Loretta Gunawardene and going over her ideas for the dress and costumes for the show with Yolanda Aluvihare.
Speaking of her plans to showcase Sri Lanka on the world stage she said, “For the Miss Universe pageant, I want to promote the diversity in the country. Sri Lanka is isolated as an island but diverse in every way; the beauty of the island, our tourism - the famous Sri Lankan smile - and the people. We have everything from sunny beaches and jungles, to cold climates in the hill country and the modern commercials cities. We have so much to be proud of. ”
Social causes are also important to Sabrina, and one that’s close to her heart is women’s issues. After hearing about traumatic experiences of a close friend, Sabrina became a passionate advocate of women’s rights and issues among the community, and says hearing more stories has opened her eyes to the plight. “Nobody ever comes forward and talks about it, and that needs to change. It’s time for talking and only from there can we move forward as a community with this issue.”
With a hectic schedule to follow, the young beauty has recently been vacationing down-south with friends, just relaxing on the beach as she says for her, it’s the best form of re-energizing and clearing her head of a the gruelling week.
At the present, Sabrina is mainly focused on her duties as Miss Universe Sri Lanka and preparing for the upcoming Miss Universe pageant but says of the future, she is certain she will continue her education and career in media when the time comes for her to pass on the crown.
Article by Lake Argent
Pics by Indraratne Balasuriya
Watch Sabrina's video interview here..
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0 Comments
wimale says:
Aug 31, 2012 at 03:13 amGood choice. sounds like she's got some substance. Unlike the brainless ruparajiniyo they put forward sometime..
hussain says:
Aug 31, 2012 at 06:01 amAt last an intelligent young lady. Beauty plus brains. Good command of the English language.
Brain Dead says:
Sep 01, 2012 at 08:05 amThis is an interview - whats with the stupid music in the background...sometimes foreground. Idiots!
Muqaddasa Wahid says:
Sep 01, 2012 at 03:52 pmWishing the best of luck to our new Miss. Sri Lanka. She is the best example in person of the popular saying 'beauty and brains.' I think she might make Sri Lanka proud. She has an unique personality and good command of English and she proved to be a confident person in the Ms. Sri Lanka contest, so it may be possible for her to gain something in the Miss. Universe contest.
Ms. Sabrina Herft, I hope you might make our tiny island proud in the Miss. Universe 2012 contest. Even if you d
Gamaya says:
Sep 07, 2012 at 06:56 amThis woman does not look Sri Lankan, especially Sinhalese. Look foreign.
Quint says:
Oct 08, 2012 at 01:16 pm"This woman" has a name, and she does look Sri Lankan. There are more races than Sinhalese in Sri Lanka, lest we forget that we are a multi-racial country, and there is no standard on what a Sri Lankan should look like.
On a side note it is refreshing to see someone win who is as intelligent as they are good-looking
Cindy says:
Nov 06, 2012 at 08:07 pmAmazing!!If you're not a Sinhalese,your not a Srilankan?I am not Sinhalese,but I always thought I was a Srilankan and proud of it!This girl happens to be from Srilankan parents.I don't see where you're coming from!
Good luck girl,you will do well!
Sydney says:
Dec 12, 2012 at 11:56 amIt's such a fake Aussie accent and she sounds very Sri lankan!!!