She’s Miss Bahamas Universe 2011, as well as a professional model and dancer. She recently graduated with a degree in broadcast journalism from Nova South Eastern University, and is now the station host NBC Miami, among other things. We’re sharing cocktails and easy conversation today with the beautiful, charismatic and unpretentious Anastagia Pierre, who jetted into The Rock last week for her CFW runway stint.

What are you sipping today?

The white wine that’s on the house… whatever it is, it’s very good and I’m glad they gave it to me. Actually, I think it might be a Chardonnay (laughs).

What kind of day are you having?

It’s been very long… but I’m loving Jamaica. It’s very different from the Bahamas, you’ve got some great mountains and beautiful waterfalls, the beaches, the whole scenery is just so different and it’s a nice place to relax.

What’s your ideal relaxation spot when you’re not working?

Probably under the covers in my bed… I love sleeping; it’s one of my most enjoyable pastimes. I also love going to the beach and hanging out with my girlfriends from high school, and with my family — I have a very big one with lots of amazing cousins. I’m an only child, but they definitely make up for that (smiles).

What’s your latest obsession?

That would probably be revamping my wardrobe (laughs). I think in every girl’s life, there’s that transition into womanhood and I noticed recently that I have way too many things that I do not want to wear any more… and I’m never going to wear them again, they’re no longer me. So right now I’m trying to figure out how to get rid of those and bring in a whole new set of clothes, and with Miss Universe right around the corner, I think now is the perfect time.

Socialite or homebody?

A little bit of both, but I live in South Florida, and it’s kind of hard not to be a socialite there, especially when you’re a model, professional dancer and beauty queen.

Jeans or LBD?

It depends, if I’m having a fat day, definitely jeans (laughs), but on a skinny day it would be an LBD of course.

What turns you off?

People who think they are better than anybody else, like for example, if I was like ‘do you know who I am?’ and believed that you should treat me differently and constantly be giving me things because I’m a beauty queen. I treat everyone the way I would want to be treated and show everyone the same kind respect, so I’m not very fond of people who don’t share that belief.

In a sentence, who is Anastagia Pierre?

Anastagia Pierre is a typical 22-year-old girl. I have insecurities, I have my goals and dreams and I work hard for what I want. I also have a very close-knit family that is very supportive of me; I’ve listened to everything that they’ve taught me and it’s taking me to where I need to go. I haven’t arrived yet, but I’m definitely on the tarmac. You guys have to watch out for me (laughs).

What’s in your handbag?

Oh, actually nothing that exciting today, I wish I had something cooler to show you (laughs). I just have my camera, my lipgloss, my MAC compact and my swipe card for the hotel room. That’s all that could fit in the clutch, but usually I carry a huge bag… and everything but the kitchen sink would be in there (laughs).

Who does your hair and nails?

I actually do my own hair and nails. My mom and I own a hair store — Nicky’s Designer Wigs & Hair — and we sell everything for hair. The biggest part of our business is that we sell wigs to cancer patients and get paid through the insurance company, so it’s not like we’re taking money out of people’s pockets when they’re ill (smiles). Since we’ve been in that business, I’ve learnt how to manage my own hair.

What’s in your car stereo/on your iPod?

Everything that’s on the radio, and anything that I can dance to… right now I love that new Jennifer Lopez song with Pitbull called On The Floor… it’s crazy! And I heard that she will be performing at Miss Universe so if that’s true I’ll have a lot of fun (laughs). Besides that, I love everything, I’m very eclectic.

How did you end up being a beauty queen and model?

You’d be surprised… my mom entered me in my first pageant when I was just six years old because I love to dance and I loved being on stage, so she wanted to give me more experience before a crowd to help with my dancing… I ended up really liking it. It has afforded me a world of opportunities I probably never would have got before.

What do you think gives you an advantage for the Miss Universe pageant?

Well, I think the edge that I have is that I’m very comfortable in my own skin. It’s taken a while to get there, but now I can say that I’m ok with being me — I’m in a good place mentally, spiritually and physically. I’ve also been competing in pageants for a very long time and I know that it’s a lifestyle of preparation. You have to always be in shape, be charitable, seek opportunities etc, you have to always live your life like a beauty queen does.

Isn’t that a lot of pressure?

I won’t lie, it can be difficult at times, but I do enjoy it. And I always have my off-seasons when I just disappear and take time to be with myself — no heels, no make-up, just chill. I have one coming up after Miss Universe (laughs).

Who or what inspires you to continue on your path to being a beauty queen?

I believe in myself. I’ve been raised right, and I have a very supportive core group of people, and a strong sense of self-worth. It’s also inspiring to hear little girls say I’m their role model, so I want to keep impressing them, being a good example and showing them that anything is possible as long as you work hard for it.

Who is your role model?

Hmmm, on the runway, definitely Naomi Campbell, she’s amazing, she’s beautiful and has achieved a lot as a black woman… but on second thought, she throws things at people… maybe not (laughs). In general, Mother Teresa, she was the epitome of a humanitarian and there aren’t many people like her left in the world. I try to live my life the way she did by treating everyone as equals. I should say that at Miss Universe, right? (Laughs).

What’s the best thing about being a beauty queen?

There are so many, like getting dressed up and wearing a sparkly sash and crown, I’m a girly girl, so I love that (laughs). But I think for me, it’s being able to touch people and make a difference, because unfortunately, people pay more attention to what you have to say when you’re wearing a sash and a crown, it’s a great way to bring awareness to something. You have a little more credibility so people are much more willing to assist you with projects and so on.

And the worst?

The criticisms, maybe, but that is to be expected when you’re in the public eye and when you’re successful, so just don’t let it get to you, keep your head up and you won’t be destroyed.

What’s your idea of the perfect man?

Oooooh, (laughs) I would say tall, because I’m about 6 ft in heels, and I wear them a lot. He definitely has to make me laugh, understand where I’m coming from, and not be very jealous. Aesthetically attractive would also be ideal… he doesn’t have to be super hot, just not look terrible, although looks are not everything (laughs).

What’s your idea of the perfect date?

I’m in a committed relationship right now, but if I weren’t, I’d like to be courted properly. Open the door, pull out the chair, make an effort with your appearance, the little things count, put some effort into it. Take me out and show me a good time and we’ll be fine.

What projects are you currently working on?

A conflict resolution programme with the kids in the Bahamas, because the crime rate there is very high. The country has so much potential, but if all the crime is there, no one will want to come visit, so I’m really passionate about doing my part to help, show them that there is a way to work things out before violence comes into play.

And 10 years from now?

Ten years from now I’ll be 32. Oh God, who wants to be 32? (Laughs). I hope that I’m married by then and settled into my career, I definitely want to still be doing broadcast journalism because I love it, and maybe I’ll have a child by then. I wanna be settled in life by then, not because I think it’s old, but I think by that time you should start channelling your energies into something other than yourself.