Elizabeth Clenci doesn't see ‘shorter’ stature as a disadvantage in beauty pageants

Updated October 5, 2017 10:44pm

By AYA TANTIANGCO, GMA News

Standing at 5'6" tall, Miss Grand International Philippines 2017 Elizabeth Clenci is as tall as Miss Universe 2015 Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach if she's wearing her "Pineapple" crown.

Still, this hasn't stopped people from worrying about her height possibly costing her a crown. After all, the image most people still have of beauty queens is a statuesque woman with legs for days.

Times are changing though and Wurtzbach despite being the shortest of the Top 5 finalist eventually emerged the victor.

Clenci is also confident that her height would not be an issue on the Miss Grand International stage.

Asked by a member of the press during her sendoff on Tuesday about her stature, Clenci said, "I think my personality adds to my height. I don’t really see my height as a disadvantage."

She added, "I stand proudly at 5’6” and I won a crown at Binibining Pilipinas at 5’6"."

You know who else stands as proud standing as tall as Wurtzbach? None other than Miss Grand International 2016 Ariska Putri Pertiwi from Indonesia, who is a bit shorter than three of the candidates who made it to the top five.

The average beauty queen might be an inch or three taller, but clearly there's more to winning than height!

Aside from her gorgeous looks and elegant style, Clenci also earns praise from fans for her strong convictions. She was appointed a National Peace Ambassador last September by Office of the Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process, which might prove to be an advantage.

Miss Grand International's main thrust is to promote freedom, peace, and harmony and the pageant campaigns to "stop the war and violence" around the world.

Clenci sees her title as a welcome distinction, but clarified that she doesn't see it as an edge against her competitors.

"To be a National Peace Ambassador is a huge honor," Clenci told the press. "Even if I was or wasn’t a Peace Ambassador, I would still carry the same morals. It’s a great additional title, but I am still the same woman with or without it."

"As a beauty queen as a citizen of the country and the world, it really is my goal to take a step in that (peace) direction," she added. "I want to really make a shift and make it a tangible thing."

The 2017 Miss Grand International pageant is slated for October 25. Clenci flew to Vietnam for the competition on October 5. — LA, GMA News

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