Meet Jeanette Akua: From 'Idols SA' Rejection to the Miss Universe Stage
- South African-born model and singer Jeanette Akua did not let her rejection from Idols SA stop her from achieving her dreams
- After crashing out the show, the young lady dusted herself off and aimed even higher - and succeeded to become Miss Miss Universe Great Britain
- Akua will be representing Great Britain in the Miss Universe competition later this month
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BY FREELANCE WRITER: FARAI DIZA
Many of us do not take kindly to rejection. Especially when that rejection forges a dent on one's intended career path. But one young woman named Jeanette Akua, not only managed to shrug off rejection, she aced her way to a better life.
27-year-old Joburg-born model Jeanette Akua failed to make an impression on popular South African music reality show Idols SA. Instead of weeping her way to and waiting for another opportunity, the Xhosa speaking beauty made the most of it.
Source: Twitter
She will be representing Great Britain in the Miss Universe competition set for Florida in May this year. If she does win the crown, South Africa's very own Zozibini Tunzi will hand the crown over to her.
"The Miss Universe finals are fast approaching and everything around me is changing so quickly. Music is what helps me find myself.," she said.
After failing to make an impression on the tough South African Idols stage, she took the big leap of faith and found herself chasing the singing dream in London.
"After completing high school I took a leap of faith and moved to the United Kingdom to pursue my music dreams in London," she divulged.
But the bright lights of London navigated her to unchartered waters. She soon found herself on the modeling ramp. Modelling has since become a major part of her life and her Instagram page easily testify to that notion.
She, however, is still pursuing her career in music.
"I juggle between the two (music and modelling).I'm so proud of the multi faceted women I'm becoming. When people tell you what you can or can not achieve, they are subconsciously projecting their fears onto you. The moment I stopped being afraid, I began to fly! I remember standing outside the Sony Music headquarters with a poster saying: "NEED RECORD DEAL ASAP. OR MY PARENTS WILL MAKE ME STUDY MEDICINE." she said.
Jeanette stated that modelling had taught her that not all superheroes wear capes as being surrounded by fabulous women can easily make one feel like a superhero.
"Pageants are more than just beauty. It's bigger than that. It's about celebrating women and the many layers we come in. There is no such thing as an 'overnight success.' I choose to challenge all toxic boundaries and status quo placed on women by society," she stressed.
While things might seem cosy for her, the path to success was a dark tainted one. fell and she rose like a phoenix from the ashes.
She recalled how 2014 was the darkest year in my life as her world literally crumbled. Jeanette went from living her dream as a rising pop star to moving back into her parent's house.
Dissolved, broke and unemployed, she refused to carve into failure. She then decided to pursue a degree in business and economics. That degree has come in handy.
Today, she is a business development manager at a leading economic consultancy firm where she doubles up as the youngest manager. Everything happens for a reason.
"Its about having the nerve to pursue your dreams. Feeling the fear and doing it anyway," she said.
And what are some of the lessons she learnt while jumping hurdles?
"In 2012 I spent my first two years in the United Kingdom singing and performing at Open Mic nights all over London. I was also auditioning everywhere I could go with the hope of getting my biggest breakthrough. I also worked as a waitress, receptionist and beauty consultant part time in order to make ends meet," she stated.
Growing up in South Africa presented her with many challenges. But she learnt a lot from the experiences as they armed her for the bigger obstacles she has faced abroad.
"When I was a little girl I used to hate my full lips. Even as a teen I would stay away from glosses. The same applies with my bum. I would always cover it up so that it could become super flat. To think that people now spend thousands to get bigger lips and go through countless surgeries to get a bigger behind. I learnt so much from my failures and they are many. It taught me grit, the audacity to dream, the audacity to ask for more and the audacity to believe that tomorrow will not always be the same as today," she said.
The model also hinted that the challenges women face in Mzansi and abroad was driven by fear.
"Our deepest fear is that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we ever powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our fatness that most frighten us. Those are the words of Marianne Williamson"
"The advice I can give to aspiring models or the youth at large is for them to believe in themselves. in whatever journey you are partaking whether its climbing up the corporate ladder, starting your own business or chasing the dreams that are in your heart, remember to find moments of stillness that help you remain true to who you are ," she said.
She encouraged women never to allow society to pack them as women are multi-faceted and their beauty deserves being celebrated in many ways.
As Miss Universe Great Britain, she has already started the #BeAudacious initiative that aims at helping helping women from all walks of life.
"My #BeAudacious campaign is a platform I use to share the AUDACIOUS stories of women from all over the world. I started it before I was crowned Miss Universe Great Britain. It is an inspirational platform that has interviewed a diverse range of women," she revealed.
Jeanette also believes that diversity is what allows us to understand a variety of perspectives and life experiences.
So if she could meet anyone in the present or past, who would it be and why?
"I want to shine the spotlight on all the unsung heroines who are taking risks, breaking boundaries and redefining what it means to be a successful woman," she said.
Meanwhile, Briefly News reported that South Africa's official Miss SA account took to its Twitter page to announce the ladies who will be competing in the upcoming international pageants - the Miss World, Miss Universe and Miss Supranational 2021 competitions.
According to the tweet, Miss SA aka Shudufhadzo Musida will be competing for Miss World, Natasha Joubert the second runner-up for the Miss SA pageant will be competing for the Miss Universe title and Thato Mosehle will be competing for Miss Supranational.
Reactions to the announcements were mixed.
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Source: Briefly News
Sibusisiwe Lwandle (Head of Entertainment) Sibusisiwe Lwandle is the Head of Entertainment at Briefly News (joined in 2019). She holds one Bachelor of Arts (BA) and one Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree from the University of Cape Town and the University of KZN respectively. She has over 10 years of experience in journalism, having worked in print, online and broadcast media. She has worked at Independent Media and 1KZNTV and has contributed columns to the Washington Post. Passed set of trainings by Google News Initiative. Email: sibusisiwe.lwandle@briefly.co.za
Kelly Lippke (Senior Editor) Kelly Lippke is a copy editor/proofreader who started her career at the Northern-Natal Courier with a BA in Communication Science/Psychology (Unisa, 2007). Kelly has worked for several Caxton publications, including the Highway Mail and Northglen News. Kelly’s unique editing perspective stems from an additional major in Linguistics. Kelly joined Briefly News in 2018 and she has 14 years of experience. Kelly has also passed a set of trainings by Google News Initiative. You can reach her at kelly.lippke@briefly.co.za.
