Debbie Collins

"My parents inspire me to treat people selflessly. I am also inspired by hardworking and determined people, Mo Abudu from Nigeria is an African woman who is surpassing the limits set by society to conquer and pave the way for others to conquer, that is inspiring. When people achieve and help others get there, that inspires me"

"Basically you are more than any situation you find yourself in, because you’re a human being; constantly becoming a better version of yourself"

"It is encouraging, women should support women, our strength lies in our ability to give a helping hand to a sister in need. The best thing is helping others to achieve once you arrive at your destination. We go through so many similar difficulties and challenges that should make us want to work more together instead of fighting each other. A supportive circle of successful women will always thrive against all odds"

"There were times in South Africa when I told someone that I was from Nigeria and their countenance will change. For the most part, I tried to surround myself with positive people and, I did have some friends"

"My older sister always keeps tabs on Nigerian news and celebrities. She wanted me to contest for the Most Beautiful Girl in Nigeria or Miss Nigeria, she later decided on MBGN. So she bought the form for me and filled it out for me"

"I had put my mind to doing the very best I could. I wanted to tick their boxes as much as I could. I knew I had to be articulate and smart, and I set my mind to do that"

"I was so surprised I made the top five and finally declared the first runner up. It is a game so you never know who is going to win"

"Since I left MBGN, my sister and I started a beauty business. We are rebranding so I cannot release the full details now. I also wrote an anthology, ‘Woman like the Sea’ it is about the struggles women go through. I also have a podcast titled 'Feminine Expressions' coming out soon"

"I am so grateful I got to be the first runner up and represent Nigeria in the Miss Universe contest. I met so many wonderful people there who I still talk to today. We even have a Whatsapp group. When someone gives birth or gets married, they post it on the group. I love it"

"No, I do not think pageants are shallow. All pageants pass an important message through a beautiful person or face. It is always a combination of beauty and intellect"

"People always think I am biracial especially, in Lagos but, I am not. I cannot tell if there is light-skinned privilege. I know there is pretty privilege because people would want to talk to you if you are pretty"

"I think what is common nowadays is people trying to attach themselves to the light-skinned complexion by bleaching"

"When I was younger, people would try to put my sister’s beauty against mine and say things like 'you wouldn't be pretty if you were dark-skinned' or tell my sister she would be prettier if she were light-skinned. We need to accept people the way we see them"

"Plus, dark skinned people are getting more representation is music videos and movies now and that is great"

"Because my family is in South Africa living in Lagos during the lockdown dealt with my mental health negatively. I always thought I was the sort of person who loves to be alone just in my corner writing how I feel but, the lockdown taught me that you need people around you"

"Even after the lockdown, I realized that you need friends and people you can count on"

"Yes, I am, though I do not like to subscribe to labels because sometimes we get hung up on the labels and forget the cause. Although, I am an advocate of women empowerment and gender equality"