Interview with Contestant #36: Wen Chen
Age: 20
Born: Guangzhou, China
Resides: Elmhurst, N.Y.
Occupation: Junior at Boston University
[After noticing that Wen was conscientiously studying an economics textbook] So, you’re very clearly a student. What is your major?
I’m double majoring in business management and economics.
Why did you decide to enter this pageant?
I was just very curious about what it was like, and my best friend was like, ‘If you do it, I’ll pay for half of your application fee.’
Half of that – wow. That’s quite an incentive.
I know.
And she did?
She did. And she bought me a cheesecake, which was delivered to my house today. She got it this morning.
I need friends like that. So how familiar were you with Miss New York Chinese and Miss Chinese International before you entered?
Not really. But I keep hearing my friends talk about it, like they know who was in it. Some friends in high school, they were in this competition a few years ago too.
And is this your first pageant.
Oh yeah, this is my first pageant.
What do you think so far? I know it’s kind of early on.
I didn’t expect it to be open to the public. So I was really nervous when I was on stage.
What do you plan to do, kind of looking ahead, career-wise?
I definitely want to concentrate in international management. Right now I have this clear definition of what I want to do. [But] I think everything is so exciting and there is a lot for me to explore. So why not give myself this chance to explore?
Why not? And you’re doing something like this.
Exactly.