Sahar Biniaz crowned Miss Universe Canada: Iranians and Indians Celebrate
During the last 10 years, three women of Iranian origin have been crowned Miss Universe Canada, and there were also two finalists this year who had Iranian roots. One of them, Sahar Biniaz, of Vancouver, was crowned Miss Universe Canada among 62 other finalist contestants. The final chapter in the highly publicized pageant came to an end at the Bluma Appel Theatre in downtown Toronto last Saturday night.
Sahar Biniaz, 26, was born in India, raised in Iran, and is now a Canadian citizen living in Vancouver. She graduated with honors from Stella Adler Academy in Los Angeles, in performing arts. Currently she is working as an actress in film and television. Her recent credits include the lead role in an upcoming anticipated Iranian film “Ambrosia” and a reoccurring guest star roles in two hit TV series “Sanctuary” and “Smallville”, which both air in numerous countries around the world.
Her roles portraying a goddess and a superhero are a striking parallel to her real life character. From volunteering in Thailand orphanages to traveling to jaw dropping locations around the world while raising awareness and convincing people to be organ donors, she strives to achieve any goal regardless its scale or fear factor.
In accordance with her father’s advice that “beauty needs brains”, Sahar has also completed her studies in Business Entrepreneurship from BCIT and Sauder School of business from UBC. Sahar is fluent in English and Persian (Farsi) and has traveled to 22 countries. Among Iranian celebrities, she admires Shohreh Aghdashloo and Bahman Ghobadi. Sahar is adventurous and believes her mother, inspired independence in her as a woman.
Critics of pageants rate them as overly commercialized and sexual (emphasizing apearance and sexiness of a woman). This year's pageant was also once more accompanied by controversies. For the first time, a transgendered female (Jenna Talackova) - a boy who became a girl - participated in the pageant, He (she) was initially ousted from the contest after it was learned she started life as a male, but later she was allowed to compete. The 6-foot-1 blonde was the recipient of one of four “Miss Congeniality” titles in the contest.
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