THOUGH she didn’t win the Miss Hooters World pageant, uMhlanga beauty Maxine Beigley, achieved what she set out to do, to give the world a taste of South Africa’s cultural diversity. The Miss Hooters SA winner who recently flew to Las Vegas for the pageant said she was treated like a celebrity from day one.

The 23-year-old has also been chosen as one of the feature girls to appear in the Miss Hooters World Calendar.

“I’m stoked. I’m not sure what month I’m going to be but I can’t wait,” she enthused.

Representing Hooters on the Rocks at the global competition, Maxine said she would love to enter again.

“It was awesome, glamorous, and a once in a lifetime experience. The Americans love the South African accent. I really felt like a celebrity, people would come up to me and pose in photos and ask for my autograph, and I was thinking I’m just a waitress.

“People were also blown away by the home grown outfit. They loved the colours and vibrancy and when I went up on stage I was concentrating on not falling. I was like Bambi on ice in high heels. Added to that were some roasties on the back of my ankle which made it harder to smile and look graceful,” she said.

The outfit, made by fashion designer and Maxine’s former roommate, Xaviar Storm Dunstan combined elements of South Africa’s rainbow nation. The Xhosa culture was represented with a pleated black skirt, bracelets with beading associated with the Zulus, and a rope necklace favoured by Ndebele women.

The former Oakridge College pupil also got to hang out with hip hop celebrities Jason Derulo and T-Pain.

“It was a super experience and I wouldn’t mind entering again. I want to thank all those who wished me well and supported me throughout the pageant,” she said.

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