The Right Fit: Answers, Questions, and Advice from a Queen

Cynthia Zhang doesn’t quite fit. If this sounds odd it’s because she embodies many qualities that aren’t often found in one person. A transplant form China to the US; she went on to attend one of the top undergraduate business schools in the US. Now she works in New York for Macy’s and has the ability to go far there or anywhere else she sets her mind to.

In between, however, she took a detour. Maybe this isn’t the right word. Cynthia became a beauty queen and learned a lot about herself and the world as a result. I think readers will find that many of the stereotypes that often come to mind about people who wear this kind of crown need to be redefined.

Questions

Can you tell us a little about where you grew up and went to secondary school? How competitive was it in your high school? Was your school diverse racially? Were there cliques and if so were you in one?

I was born in a small northern city in China called Changchun. I moved to Troy, Michigan with my mother at age 12 and went to a normal public school. My high school was relatively more diverse than some others, and there were no apparent cliques that I distinctively remember; however, it was still somewhat racially separated. 

Did you ever feel that you were treated differently because of your heritage? Were there stereotypes about how you should act and look?

As an Asian American, I automatically was assumed to be “smart.” I clearly remember my Caucasian friends making comments like “you won’t fail a test because you are Asian.” There were no stereotypes about how I should act or look, but they definitely made assumptions about Asians being book smart and not able to excel in non-school activities such as sports. 
You went from high school on to study business at one of the top undergraduate programs in the US. When did you get interested in business? 

I was interested in many different subjects in high school, and I went to college with an open mind. I became interested especially in business when I started taking intro-level economic classes. Those classes made me realize I want to do more than just learning econ theories; I wanted to actually utilize the concepts I learned and apply them to real-life situations. Business school gave me exactly that opportunity I was hoping for.
 

Ross School of Business

Can you describe the atmosphere at Michigan academically and socially? Did you find a mentor who helped you? What classes most inspired you and why?

Michigan is a great school to go to both in terms of academics and social life.
We are HUGE on sports. Every football Saturday, the entire Ann Arbor is crowded with people dressed in maize and blue. Our big house is the biggest football stadium in the United States, seating about 82,000 people. Everyone at Michigan is bonded via sports, but unfortunately I was not actively involved nor was I an avid sports fan (hence where the Asian stereotype comes from I guess).
Greek life also plays an important role at Michigan. I believe about 30% of our student body is Greek. There were internal competitions among sororities and fraternities. There were the “hot ones,” “ugly ones, “ “Jewish ones,” “rich ones…” To me it also seems like we were going back to high school, something that would happen in the movie “Mean Girls.”
I did not have an official mentor at school, but one of my professors has definitely helped me along the way: Dr. Mary Hinesly. She taught my American Business History class at the Ross School of Business. She was not only a professor to me, but also a great person whom has guided me and inspired me during the times when I had a hard time making an important life-changing decision. 

Who did you socialize most with and what activities were you a part of?
I was the business director of SHEI Magazine (SHEI Magazine) , the 2nd largest student-run magazine in the nation. I was also a part of an a capella group that competed and toured nation-wide.

At many universities in the US there is a wall between various groups. Some people know about the most obvious ones but others are not given much press. For example, there often is not all that much interaction between ABC’s and students coming to school directly from China. Did you find this to be true and if so why do think this is? Did you feel you had to make a choice between these groups? If so which one did you pick and why?

This was very true at my school. I think it is because of the cultural difference on top of the language barrier. International students at the University of Michigan came from top-notch high schools in China, and they were more focused on academics instead of socializing. While on the other hand, most ABC’s were involved in not only academics but also social activities. In addition, I think the ABC’s and international students at my school had fewer things in common. They did not come from the same background and thus have nothing to bond with. For example, many ABC’s came from the same high school (30% of students at my high school were Asian Americans, and I believe over half went to either University of Michigan or Michigan State University). Either that, or they have been family friends for a long time. The Asian community is quite small; therefore, every family is somehow related to each other. On the other hand, the international students have things in common that the ABC’s don’t: how they chose the school in America, which region of China they were from, what dialect they spoke, etc.
I didn’t feel like I had to make a choice between the groups. Like the norm, I automatically felt more belonged to a certain group and went with it. There was never a struggle between choosing one or the other; it was more like a natural selection process.

You have competed at a very high level in beauty pageant. Could you take us through your decision to enter this very competitive contest?

I never imagined myself a beauty queen, nor was I trying to become one. A unique opportunity came my way during the summer of my sophomore year in college. It was very tough to receive an internship offer as a sophomore, and I did not want to waste my time at home doing nothing. My mother saw a pageant commercial on TV and encouraged me to apply. I didn’t think much of it but I decided to give it a shot. I have competed in various singing and modeling competitions in the past, so it wasn’t new to me. Once I passed the preliminary, I was invited to audition in NYC. It was my first time in New York, and everything seemed so foreign to me. I went into the audition room without any expectations. They asked me to “tell them about myself,” asked me to do a catwalk, and asked me to perform my talent. That was it. And then I just waited for two days for them to call me back. 

When they called me back, I was in the middle of packing to go back to my home in Michigan. They literally said, “You will be in the city for training for the next three months. Come sign the contract tomorrow.” Umm… what?  I didn’t even have any luggage with me at the time! Maybe it was my inner spontaneity, but I agreed to spend the summer alone in the city.
So that’s how my journey started. It’s ironic to say this now that I call NYC my new home.

Can you describe in detail the whole experience of becoming a contestant to being a ‘beauty queen?

I competed in Miss NY Chinese in 2010, and went on to compete in Miss Chinese International in Hong Kong after being crowned the winner of Miss NY Chinese. 

A Few Things You Wouldn’t Know About the Pageant World…
I Made Close Friends

Perhaps it was because I was not very competitive, I ended up becoming very close to many of the girls. While some girls spent their pageant days thinking about how to stand out and how to compete against others. My mindset was to try my best and make the best out of it. No pressure whatsoever. Maybe that’s not a good thing either…? 
Even now, about three years later, many of my close friends were made from the pageant. I am still very involved in the pageant community. I’ve been attending many of their events, whether it be judging a competition, being the guest performer, crowning successors, or just sitting in the audience silently observing. Once you are in, you are family. 
I even became very close to the girls I met through the international pageant. We don’t see each other very often since we came from all over the world, but we now have friends in every single continent. In fact, Miss Melbourne is currently visiting me in New York City! Miss Chicago is working in the city; we live about 15 minutes away!
 

Lots of Hard Work Involved

The pageant was more exhausting and a lot more work than I have expected. Most people think we just walk around the blocks and look pretty, but it is more tiring than you think. When I competed in New York, we had hours of training every weekday, and had to go to events on the weekend. We trained on how to sit & walk identical to each other, how to speak in public, how to present yourself, etc. Some girls were very competitive and took dance/voice/whatever classes on the side for extra training. The most exhausting part for me was to smile for a long time for pictures. After each event, we had to take group pictures with every person in the room possible: the sponsors, the important people (whoever they were), the makeup/hair crew, the past winners, etc. It was so tiring that by the end of the photo sessions, my entire face was sore and numb from smiling so much. I always told the girls after me to smile with your mouth closed if you get sore.
In Hong Kong, the exhaustion went up to the next level. Due to the tight schedule planned for us, there were many occasions where we had to wake up at 4 a.m. to do our makeup, and stay up to 2 a.m. filming in the studio. It is not uncommon to see girls sleeping on top of each other, or next to each other on the floor in the makeup rooms. The weather wasn’t very ideal either; we had to film in late fall/early winter in Tianjin, a city in Northern China. We’d film very early or late in the morning in summer clothing, when the temperature was almost below freezing point. Many of us got sick, and by the time we finished filming, no one could feel her fingers and toes.

No One is Beautiful Enough

Girls in pageantry are very conscious of their image no matter how beautiful or skinny they are. Many girls didn’t eat. It was especially apparent in Hong Kong. Perhaps it was in the Asian culture, but it was ok for people to tell you that you are too tanned (tan represents poorness in Asian countries) or too fat, even when the girls were young and beautiful. I’ve gotten many comments where people straight up tell me, “You are getting too chubby! Need to watch your figure!” A lot of the girls were so conscious of the swimsuit part of the competition that they stopped eating a few days before the competition. Some were eating, but they dipped everything they ate in hot tea to get rid of the oil, and then dipped in hot water to get rid of the tea taste. It was quite amusing to me. Most girls were obsessed with the topic “losing weight.” For a short time period, I began doubting my figure and asking myself whether I should lose weight. I was 5’9’’ and 110 lb. Not exactly what you’d call “chubby.” Fortunately, I ultimately did not give into the Asian culture, and kept on having my fried chicken at dinner along with a few other contestants coming from North America. 

                                                                                         Worldly Experience

You get to see a lot more of the world than you would normally when you compete in international pageants. I was fortunate to meet so many different kinds of people at the age of 20. In Hong Kong, I was exposed to people in the entertainment industry, finance, marketing, PR, textiles… almost every industry possible. I also got to meet many girls from all over the world.  Every girl came from a similar but different culture. There were girls from Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, Singapore, America, China… As a young college student, I definitely experienced a lot more than my peers. It has impacted me positively throughout the rest of my schooling and my career. I am more open to new cultures and people. One significant difference I have noticed is that I’m no longer afraid to talk to people that I have absolutely nothing in common with. I used to actively avoid meeting people without common interests, but now I think it’s a pleasure and an opportunity to learn and network with them. It was the pageant that made me realize that you learn the most when you are out of your comfort zone.

We Are Not Stupid
When you think of pageant girls, you might think, oh they just look pretty and they are probably not educated. Yes, there are some who focus more on getting into the entertainment industry rather than education. But no, some of us are not stupid at all. There were girls from University of Manchester, University of Melbourne, Northwestern, Princeton, everywhere. If anything, the pageant makes girls become more well rounded and more successful in life.

Can you describe some of the activities you have been a part of as a result of the contest? 

I am now a part of the pageant community. I informally mentor the new contestants and offer advice/help/whatever they need. I have also been building strong relationships with our pageant sponsors (brand ambassador, attending events, etc.)

Did the competition and the subsequent press and activities change you in any way? If so, how so?

It changed my perspective on the future. It has taught me to dream big and try my best to accomplish them. It has also gave me an opportunity meet people in many different fields that I would’ve never have met before the pageant.


At the same time you are also a role model for many who see you as glamorous and successful. Do you feel you need to be a role model for others?

Even celebrities are normal people. I don’t believe I am a role model for others because I, like any other person, have both strengths and weaknesses. However, I definitely try my best to be someone that others can look up to.

A student I know from China just submitted her distinguished major thesis "'Korean Wave' in Taipei: the Construction of Beautiful Women."  In it she describes the way the Korean Wave has swept through both Taiwan and the Mainland. Do you see much evidence of this? 

I do. Having the “double eyelids” is considered beautiful in Asia, and many people I know have gone through the surgery, even male. Plastic surgery in general is extremely common, and it is slowly becoming culturally accepted in Asia.

Do you think the standards of beauty that are put forward by the Korean wave have positive or negative consequences for young women? Is there too much emphasis on being rail thin and having the right kind of eyes etc.? 

I believe it is both positive and negative. The reason why young women want to get plastic surgery is that they are not satisfied with their looks, and by getting the surgery, their self-esteem is boosted. However, it is getting to a point where real, authentic beauty is no longer appreciated. The society thinks the artificial beauty is prettier than natural beauty, and in my opinion that is a very negative connotation of beauty.
Girls I’ve met in China are so focused on losing weight and being thin that a lot of them don’t eat healthily, and I think this is caused by how beautiful women are portrayed in Asia. It is very common for someone to say to you, “you are getting fat, watch what you are eating” in Asia, and it is considered a great compliment /greeting if someone sees you for the first time in a long time and tells you that you got skinnier.



Studies demonstrate that an initial impression is often key to success in an interview and job success. Do you think there is actually a potential detriment to being too good looking? Has this ever happened to you?

Yes I agree. Most people don’t associate good-looking people with being intellectually intelligent. However, I do think if you get a chance to prove yourself, you are on a fair playfield regardless of your looks.
I’ve been portrayed as “the pageant winner” and the “model” before, and these terms usually don’t go along with being smart. Not to only mention myself, but also I have met many good-looking girls that went to great schools and have amazing jobs but still do part time modeling/pageants.

What are proudest of about yourself? What would you change if you could?

I am the proudest of my “no regrets” motto. When I want to try something, I go for it regardless of the end result. I allowed myself to challenge myself in many different ways and trained myself to be fearless of failing. In fact, I learned the most in failing cases.
 I wanted to share my stories with others, so I published a book. I thought modeling would be fun, so I submitted my portfolio to modeling agencies. I thought being in a pageant would be a new challenge for me, so I did it. I think many people at my age are afraid of failing and therefore they shelter themselves within their comfort zone. I encourage everyone to go out of his or her comfort zone and try new things. Because at the end of the day, when you are old and have no ability to do these things, you realize that the saddest thing is having regret. I am proud of this quality of mine, and I would not change anything about it. 

What do see in your future as far as career and where in the world you’d like to be living?
Career- I am currently in buying at Macy’s.Inc. Although retail interests me, I do see myself in other careers as well. I enjoy traveling and working in a diverse environment where no day is the same day, where I am constantly doing problem solving and challenging my limits. So hopefully one day I’ll be able to do that for a living.
Living- New York for now, but I don’t think I’ll be able to raise a family in this hustle and bustle. Maybe I will move to either California or Asia within a few years.

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I first ‘met’ Cynthia through her words. She responded to a question on Quora.com about what it was like to be…X. She talked about her experience as a beauty queen. At the same time I was talking with a student who’d just finished her distinguished major research on the affect of the Korean Wave of beauty standards in Asia. I thought I would see if I could find out from someone who has lived in the world where beauty matters if some of the research resonated with her.

I wrote to Cynthia and asked to interview her and I am very grateful for her willingness to talk via email and Skype. Although I have not ever ‘met’ her in person, her words have changed my understanding of how experiences like hers can shape a life in positive ways. She comes from a single parent family and has not had, perhaps, some of the easiest of roads in life. And yet she has made her early challenges something that spurs her on to achieve at high levels whether in school or in a pageant and now in her job. 

Malcolm Gladwell writes about people like her in his newest book, David and Goliath. The profiles he gives demonstrate that great character comes from hard work, a willingness to get outside of the bubble of expectations, and the willingness to try new things. 

Cynthia should be the subject of a chapter in his expanded edition of the book.  I know she has a bright future ahead of her and I am lucky to have had the chance, now,  to be inspired by her actions and words.

Question: If this entry had started with this photo would your impression of Cynthia  have been altered in any way? Are you sure?