Interview with Charissa Caesar

What makes you unique?

My ability to see life from a spiritual perspective rather than just the physical.

What do you like most about yourself?

My tenacity and assertive nature are some things that I’ve grown to admire and embrace. I’ve learned to love those parts of my inner being as they are a big part of who I am.

If you could meet any famous person in historywhowould it be and why?

It would be Bob Marley. I watched one of his interviews where the interviewer asked, “Are you a rich man? Do you have a lot of possessions?” Bob’s response was, “Possessionsmakeyou rich? I don’t have that type of richness. My richness is life, forever.”

That stuck with me from that day. His wisdom reminds me of my grandfather and I really love to engage in conversations with my granddad. I always keep my ears open to my elders as they see life through a more experienced lens. I believe that I would really enjoy having a conversation with Bob Marley if I had the chance. I’m very big on wisdom! He would surely teach me a lot.

What has been a challenge you’ve experienced in life and how did you overcome it?

My biggest challenge in life was not being certain of who Charissa really is. I really struggled with the idea of who I was supposed to be because I was trying to see myself through different people’s ideas of who Charissa is. I would say I’m still overcoming this challenge because as I grow, and as the days go by, I learn something new about myself while at the same time, still unlearning things that I thought were factors that contributed to my being.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to your younger self?

Looking for love outside of yourself only sets you back from discovering that true love really comes from within. The respect you give to yourself sets the tone for how much others respect you!

What in life do you feel most grateful for?

Life itself is really the one thing I’m most grateful for; being granted opportunities for a new start every day to employ our specials gifts, is the ultimate blessing! Jesus did encourage us to give thanks in all circumstances, for me that is enough.

Whydid you deserve the first runner up?

How would you define success?

Success to me is achieving all of your aspirations and materialistic possessions aided by strong morality and spirituality.

Psalms 128:2 says: You worked hard and deserve all you've got coming. Enjoy the blessing! Revel in the goodness! My placement in the pageant really reflected the hard work that I put in for the 4 short months so I can surely say that it was well deserved.

Why did you decide to compete in the pageant?

My decision to compete in the National Carnival Queen Pageant was merely to honor my Mother, Joann Dorsette. To show her that despite all of her toil and misfortunes in her early years, she is a remarkable woman, who has raised a remarkable woman. My mother is the human embodiment of the lotus flower, though she bloomed through the mud, she rose without stains.

What were some highlights of the show and what were some of the challenges?

Being able to create salubrious relationships with some of my pageant sisters was my favorite part of the journey. The challenges were more internal. I was having so many intrusive thoughts coming on to the show. Even down to the very day of the show, I was going through a roller coaster of emotions which was making it super difficult for me to actually be proud of my progress as a first timer.

Do you think pageantry objectifies women?

I most certainly don’t believe that pageantry objectifies women. I think that is a common misconception among society. I see pageantry as an opportunity for young women to aid in their upward mobility in life and to showcase latent talents and even develop and nurture new skills. Pageantry to me is merely a stepping stone.

Describe what you did for your talent playing with my little brother and having comical conversations with my mother.

What do you think are some of the biggest problems facing young people today?

The illusions of the media, comparing their lives to the celebrities they follow and even peers. Wishing for a life like someone who may appear to have it all.

My talent was a true story, the story of my late grandmother, Lorraine Dorsette, who was, unfortunately, a victim of Domestic Violence. I played my mother and showcased the horror of such social Ill and the effects it has on those who are familiar with it. It was entitled the evolution of a wonder woman; it was a compound theatrical piece, I did a dramatic piece, then transitioned into song by Christopher Martin “Between the Lines” and ended with a powerful afrobeat dance to the song Wonder Woman by WSTRN.

Why was your platform important to you?

I chose domestic violence against women as my platform because it hit close to home, and I’ve witnessed the traumas, my mother and her siblings had to endure because of this.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

What do you do for fun?

Fun for me is spending time with my loved ones, having a laugh, whether it be a relaxed afternoon or any time of day. Trying new foods with my cousins,

Hopefully fulfilling one of my aspirations; specifically owning an establishment that caters to underprivileged children, and children of the Federation of St. Kitts and Nevis on a whole.