Chleo E.

For most of my life, I wasn’t living as my most authentic self. In fact, I’ve only really known her, me for the past two years. My story has had its fair share of chaos. I left home as a young teenager and found myself in survival mode far too early. Trauma, heartbreak, and the pain of losing people I loved deeply shaped my early years. For a long time, happiness felt like something that belonged to other people. Life got in the way of joy, of passion, of peace. But somewhere along the way, I made a quiet, powerful decision: I chose myself. At 18, I started modeling—not because I had everything figured out, but because I wanted to build my confidence. To feel beautiful in my own skin. That step, small as it seemed at the time, opened a door I didn’t know existed. Through modeling, I met some incredible people who spoke so passionately about pageantry. Something in me sparked, I just knew it had to be my next chapter.

I signed up for my first pageant online, heart pounding, and fell head over heels in love with it. Since then, I’ve competed in five pageants, and each one has taught me more about who I am and what I’m capable of. These experiences have reshaped how I see myself. The once painfully shy girl I used to be? I now stand up for her every single day. I show up for her. I speak loudly, love freely, and live unapologetically as myself. But let’s be real, it’s not all glitz and glam. It’s been a fight to become her. Behind the gowns and the stage lights, I’ve had to face my own mental health battles. I’ve wrestled with that inner mean girl—you know the one: “You’re not good enough,” “You don’t belong here.” She still shows up sometimes. But I’ve learned that healing takes time. Confidence takes patience. Self-love takes energy

It’s not always easy, but oh, is it worth it. Now, I live in a space of joy. Of radical self-acceptance. Of chasing dreams I once thought were impossible. I’m building a future that excites me—and I’m doing it as my whole, real, beautiful self. But this is just the beginning for me, I’m still young I’m still on my journey, my next chapter, and I’m excited to what the world has waiting for me…. And I know it’s going to be some more hard work To anyone still searching for their authentic self: She’s there. He’s there. They’re there. Keep going. It’s never too late to choose you.