From tomboy to a beauty

Making the transformation from a tomboy to a beauty queen is not an easy task.

However, if you were to take a look at Idinger Miller, it probably would not cross your mind that she romped hard with the boys in her Belair neighbour while growing up, picked mangoes, pitched marbles and even hung out on the block with them.{{more}}

Today, she is the epitome of grace and elegance.

Ten years ago, Idinger stole the judges’ hearts and was awarded the coveted title of Miss St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), having clinched the Best Talent category. She won herself $6,000, a trip to New York, along with other prizes.

Unlike some girls whose dream is to hold the coveted title, Idinger never had such wishes as a child. All that would change in 1997 when she entered the Miss West St.George pageant and won.

Her friends and family immediately encouraged her to enter the Miss SVG show. She was called in for an interview but was turned down and advised to try again the following year.

Her fortunes got better two weeks before the Miss SVG Pageant when the organizers came to her home and asked if she was still interested in entering the beauty contest. There were no second thoughts and Idinger grasped the opportunity with both hands.

Taking a walk back down memory lane, Idinger stated that it was challenging preparing for the nation’s biggest beauty show at the last minute. She had to use her own money to prepare because she didn’t have any sponsorship entering the show at that late stage.

The daughter of Veronica Miller and Clem Nero told SEARCHLIGHT she had to rely on her family for support.

“Whatever experience I had from the previous show I had to use it. I dramatized my talent in front of my parents and I also went to Trinidad and got my gown made,” said Idinger, adding: “Everything turned out really great and the people loved it.”



This is the advertisement of the Miss SVG 1998 Pageant which was published in the Searchlight Newspaper. At left (G) is Idinger Miller, the eventual winner.

“It was great coming from behind and turning out victorious,” said Idinger of the crowning moment at the pageant, which she won at age 18.

“I went out with a good feeling, and from there on, the feminine side started coming out of me. I stopped hanging out on the block and started acting more like a lady,” the former Miss SVG sighed.

Idinger said over the years she has tried to maintain a good character worthy of her title and the responsibility it carries. She has been using her time to chaperone contestants while preparing others for the Miss East St.George Pageant.

“I have no regrets at all entering Miss SVG. Not all. No regrets. Probably if I did not enter Miss SVG, I might have still been down on the block. I am not saying I don’t socialize with people on the block, but there has to be a cut off point. You have to know how far you can go,” said Miller.

Last month, the beautiful mother of a 14-month-old son went off to the University of Technology (UTECH), Jamaica, to pursue a two-year Associate Degree programme in Health Information Technology. She hopes to complete her degree thereafter.

“Basically, I will be managing health records electronically. I believe someone in the management of records can make our health system more efficient,” she explained.

At the moment Idinger is single, but has hopes of getting married someday. He’ll definitely be one lucky guy.