Oh, dear viewer, gather round as we dive into the delicious complexity that is Ashley Callingbull’s journey! It’s like a richly layered cake—sweet, a bit nutty, and totally surprising!
Break Our Expectations, Not Our Hearts
So, let’s just say Ashley Callingbull is not your average beauty queen. I mean, first off, she’s the first Indigenous woman to take the crown of Miss Universe Canada. That’s like a unicorn winning a talent show—everyone loves it, but no one expected it! And here she is, dazzling us in a geometric, multicolored Indigenous dress. It’s like she stepped straight out of a fashion magazine and struck a pose that says, "I’m here, deal with it!"
Picture this: She’s doing her dishes, and then BAM! she goes and becomes Miss Universe Canada. Talk about multitasking! When asked how she felt, she said it was surreal—like trying to convince your parents that yes, you can actually succeed in life while still having that weird cousin who keeps collecting spoons.
Breathe In, Heralds of Change!
Ashley’s story isn’t just about sequins and sashes. No, no! She symbolizes a profound breakthrough, highlighting the representation of Indigenous culture in spaces that have often been devoid of it. It’s a vital message that resonates louder than a double kick drum at a rock concert! “It took so long just to have an Indigenous representative from Canada represent Canada,” she exclaimed. Between us, she makes the Miss Universe pageant suddenly feel like an episode of a high-stakes reality show—who will crumble under pressure?
Perhaps what’s even more intriguing is that she’s above the age of 28! Can you believe it? Miss Universe is now inviting the “seasoned” contestants. Take note, younger queens—this is what a well-carved path looks like!
A Tread Against the Tide of Adversity
But hold onto your hats, folks! Ashley’s beginnings were not as glamorous as her current title would suggest—think less tiara, more DIY survival skills. She faced poverty and abuse and had to grow up quickly. At 12, she spoke out against her abuser in court, an experience that would shatter many. Yet here she stands—even more powerful and fascinating.
She embraced her heritage and traditional teachings, channeling them like a wonder woman tapping into her lasso of truth! The lesson? Healing comes from knowing where you come from, folks—who needs a therapist when you’ve got the wisdom of the ages at your fingertips?
From Pageants to Platforms
Diving deeper into her journey, we must acknowledge that there’s nothing superficial about this Miss Universe business. “I want people to know that Indigenous women are still here and thriving,” she said, making it clear she’s not here just to look pretty and wave. Oh no, Ashley wants to shake the very foundations of how our cultures are perceived—like an earthquake in a tiara!
Our queen of the moment made a point of emphasizing the importance of representation. “I will always speak the truth because the truth is our power.” Now that’s a rallying cry worthy of a queen! And let’s face it, in a world filled with noise, it feels absolutely refreshing to hear someone’s genuine battle, struggles, and triumphs—like sipping artisan coffee after a week of instant!
Final Thoughts Over Pomp and Circumstance
So here we have Ashley Callingbull, a multifaceted gem shattering stereotypes, and transforming them into something utterly beautiful. She’s ensuring the world knows the power of Indigenous representation—not just in beauty pageants but as a culture rich with history and resilience.
With her vast experiences as a motivational speaker and a television host, we can only imagine what her impact will be in the years to come: an unstoppable force, like a train with no brakes!
In short, she’s taken that crown and turned it into a megaphone for countless voices, and let’s hope we’re all ears! Will you be watching to see how far she goes next? I know I will! But first, let’s get Ashley a show. Like a cooking competition, where she can serve real talk with a side of sass—because who doesn’t love a bit of flavor with their inspiration?
Earlier this year, I had the enlightening opportunity to sit down with Miss Universe Canada winner Ashley Callingbull. The 35-year-old model and actress made headlines on July 27, becoming the first Indigenous woman to earn the coveted Miss Universe Canada title.
“It’s still so surreal,” she expressed, shaking her head in disbelief. “I’m still soaking it all in.”
Callingbull was a stunning presence: she wore the Miss Universe Canada crown and a striking geometric-patterned traditional Indigenous dress designed by Kayla Lookinghorse. The outfit, aptly named “the Ashley Dress,” showcased her cultural pride.
“Oh, you know, I was just doing the dishes,” she humorously remarked, bursting into laughter. Joking aside, her presence commanded the stage; she has truly earned her crown.
“It took so long just to have an Indigenous representative for Canada. The First Peoples of this country have never represented Canada at a Miss Universe pageant before,” she remarked emphatically. “I know there’s a lot of pressure and responsibility that comes with that, but I’m so honoured and so proud.”
Competing in the 73rd Miss Universe pageant held at Arena CDMX in Mexico City, Callingbull stood proudly on stage among contestants from nations such as Thailand, Chile, Argentina, Russia, and Nigeria. Ultimately, Denmark’s Victoria Kjær Theilvig, a talented 21-year-old dancer and aspiring lawyer, emerged as the reigning queen.
Aside from her groundbreaking achievement, Callingbull has also made history as the first woman over the age of 28 to claim the Miss Universe Canada crown. In a significant shift, the Miss Universe organization removed its age limit for contestants in 2023, allowing mothers and married women to participate.
“I’m glad the rules are finally changing because there shouldn’t be an age limit on when we should be able to achieve our dreams or goals,” she stated. “I’ve grown into the woman I was meant to be and have a different mentality walking into this because I know myself much better.”
Callingbull holds an impressive portfolio, engaging as a motivational speaker, model, actress, and television host. She also competed in the fourth season of Amazing Race Canada , finishing in a commendable second place. In May 2022, she etched her name into history as the first Indigenous woman featured in a Sports Illustrated issue, moreover receiving the esteemed Role Model Award from the United Nations in 2015, and was honored as a Top 10 Power Woman.
‘I had to grow up really fast’
While Callingbull felt on top of the world after her Miss Universe Canada win, her childhood was a stark contrast to her present success.
I lived through poverty and abuse for years, so how I grew up was pretty rough. I picked bottles for food.Ashley Callingbull
At age 12, Callingbull went to court and publicly voiced her traumatic experiences at the hands of her abuser, her mother’s ex-boyfriend. “The first time I ever spoke out loud was in a courtroom in front of my abuser saying every detail of what happened while he laughed at me,” she recalled. “So that experience really shattered me. It made me feel less than I was. I really didn’t love myself.”
The judge in her case mandated that Callingbull should see a therapist, yet the sessions provided no solace. “I just kept freaking out, asking how to let go, move forward and be happy. They weren’t giving me any answers so I was taking all the anger out in unhealthy ways.”
The path to healing
Callingbull’s kôhkom advised her that embracing her cultural roots would facilitate her healing journey, especially through prayer and embracing The Red Road.
“For us as Indigenous people, walking The Red Road means staying away from drugs and alcohol because in our way, we believe the more you put those kinds of toxins into your body, the more you become disconnected from your spirit. That’s when you get lost,” she explained.
I would have become a stereotype.Ashley Callingbull
Callingbull acknowledged that cultural connection and a safe space to embrace her values and traditions were pivotal to her survival. “If I didn’t have that, I probably would have turned to drugs and alcohol because I was thinking about it already. I would have become a stereotype.”
She credited her mother as a critical player in her journey to success. “My mom made a lot of sacrifices in order for us to survive and thrive. There were times where she would count the food like, ‘Ashley can have three pierogies’ and she herself wouldn’t eat. Even when I wanted to dance ballet, we couldn’t afford it, so my mom was able to get me into one class and my things were from the lost and found.”
In her youth, those hardships cultivated a deep-rooted belief in herself, and her pageant participation provided hope for a brighter future. “I felt like I always wanted to be a queen in some way in my community,” she shared with a laugh.
A princess to a queen
Callingbull began her journey in pageantry at her reserve, winning various titles such as “Tiny Tot Princess of Enoch Cree Nation,” “Junior Princess,” and “Senior Princess.”
“It’s not a beauty pageant, it’s a traditional pageant for our community. We dance in our traditional regalia and we give back to the community,” she stated.
While she admired the Miss Universe pageant from afar, she had no idea the extent of racism she would encounter on her path to achieving her dreams.
“It was next-level for me. I had never experienced anything like it before. I didn’t know how cutthroat it was going to be,” she shared.
“[People would say], ‘A native woman? What? You think you can do pageants? You don’t even have the “pageant” look,’” she recalled, emphasizing her determination. Her response was always, “‘Well, I want to try. Why not me?’”
Callingbull faced significant disadvantages regarding sponsorship and funding, making her journey even more challenging. Without support or guidance, she raised funds through efforts like garage sales and selling her belongings. “That’s how badly I wanted to be there.”
Her dreams were nearly crushed when Callingbull reached an age that disqualified her from Miss Universe Canada. “The dream wasn’t there anymore.”
Well, I want to try. Why not me?Ashley Callingbull
Determined to stay connected, Callingbull volunteered her time mentoring and coaching Indigenous girls entering the pageant industry, whether in Canadian or American systems. She helped them with sponsorships, guided them through question-and-answer formats, and runway practice.
“I found that so rewarding because I didn’t have anyone who had done that for me,” she reflected. “If I had had someone help me, who knows how far I could have gone or where I could have ended up. I just wanted them to feel good and be in a safe space, like they had a sister there.”
A reawakened dream
Callingbull vividly remembers the moment she discovered that Miss Universe was lifting its age limit. “My heart started racing when I heard that,” she recollected. “I thought, is it possible for me? Is it possible that I can make it happen? Oh my God, it’s not over.”
Embracing the opportunity to compete, Callingbull devoted herself to extensive training. “When the day of the finals came, I felt like all the hard work had finally paid off,” she expressed. “I couldn’t believe it. I had put my heart and soul into this.”
During the pageant, she used her platform to advocate for Indigenous women, channeling the challenges she faced into her advocacy.
“I thought, ‘This is my opportunity to speak on something that I have lived through, and it’s something happening to us right now.’ I felt compelled to bring attention to this as much as possible because if not now, when?”
Before the recent competition, Callingbull expressed her intention to utilize her platform as Miss Universe to amplify the voices of Indigenous women on a larger scale.
“I feel like they would finally be able to hear us — not just Canada—because that is already hard enough. If I can make the whole world aware of what we’re experiencing— not just Indigenous women in Canada, but Indigenous women globally— it would be incredibly impactful as it would provide a voice for those who are often silenced,” she stated.
I couldn’t believe it. I had put my heart and soul into this.Ashley Callingbull
This is especially pertinent regarding the alarming cases of missing and murdered Indigenous women.
“I’ve had relatives who have gone missing and who haven’t come home,” she lamented. “I won’t even go anywhere by myself because of fear that someone could just take me and that no one will care. I always feel like I’m being watched. Why are our lives less valuable than other women?”
Callingbull is determined that the world recognizes Indigenous women as forces of nature.
“I want people to know that Indigenous women are still here and that we are thriving. There is so much success to speak of and that needs to be highlighted. Why has it taken so long to recognize our talents? We’ve been here all along.”
Callingbull wants to make one thing clear: she’s not a token. “That’s why I use my voice. I’m not just an image. That’s one thing people won’t do: they won’t silence me. I will always speak the truth because the truth is our power.”
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