Former Miss Springs 2024 and reigning Continental Queen of Africa in the Miss Asia Pacific International, Bejandri Lourens, was crowned the ultimate supreme overall at the Face of Starlight pageant.

The pageant took place on March 14 at the Brakpan NG Kerk.

Lourens told the Springs Advertiser that she was thankful that her hard work paid off. She said that it was such a surreal moment, and everything she had worked for felt like it came together right then.

She explained that a combination of preparation, self-belief, and being genuine helped her stand out during the competition.

“Mentally, I did a lot of work to get into the right mindset, and I think that energy showed on stage. I was so in my own head at the start of the year. I focused on staying positive, trusting my journey, and preparing every detail, from my routines to how I carried myself,” said the beauty queen.

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Lourens shared that participating in the pageant was wonderful, and she enjoyed every minute of the excitement, the challenge, and the friendships. She added that every part of it reminded her why she loves pageants. After competing internationally, Lourens said that she struggled at smaller local pageants.

“When I finally won, it felt like a personal victory, not just about the crown, but about proving to myself that I could overcome those challenges.”

She highlighted how pageantry taught her resilience, confidence, and the importance of believing in herself. Lourens said it helped her grow not just on stage, but also mentally, emotionally, and spiritually as a person.

She thanked her support system, her family, her partner and her modelling school, Belora Models.

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“Knowing that my family and boyfriend are cheering me on makes a huge difference and gives me strength, confidence, and peace of mind. My models were the ones who encouraged me to enter this pageant, and they supported me every step of the way. Being the coach at Belora Models has been amazing; my models push me, inspire me, and remind me I can achieve more than I think.”

Looking back at her pageant journey, she learned that one can be one’s own biggest competition. She added that the mindset and self-belief often matter more than anything else on stage.

With this win, Lourens shared that she wants to continue growing. She said that even though she has been doing this a long time, there’s always more to learn and she wants to keep improving, inspiring others and building a legacy.

She advised young girls interested in joining the pageantry to believe in themselves and never let fear stop them.

“Work hard, stay authentic, and enjoy the journey. Every experience is a lesson, and every step brings you closer to your dream.”