Bahrain resident and mother of four qualifies for international beauty pageant in Dubai

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Challenging the general stereotype that marriage must put a full stop to any woman’s sense of significance in the world of beauty and personality, a 37-year-old Bahrain resident, who is a mother of four children, has emerged one of the finalists in a leading beauty pageant.

Tina Mathew, a resident in Bahrain for over three decades, is all excited to be a finalist in the ‘Mrs Middle East’ pageant scheduled to be held in Dubai in the coming June. A victory would qualify her for ‘Mrs Universe’ to be held in South Korea later in the same month. The 2021 event is being held this year after it was postponed owing to the pandemic situation.

“My aim is not to earn a big name in the world of objectified feminine beauty, for I want to inspire and motivate married women to regain their confidence and sense of significance while celebrating different phases of their womanhood,” she told The Daily Tribune.

Organised by DLK Fashions, ‘Mrs Middle East’ pageant has been gaining popularity in the region for its uniqueness. All citizens and residents of GCC countries are eligible to participate in the contest.

“To me, beauty is a holistic concept, something far beyond external appearance. God is the biggest designer and we must acknowledge that different phases of womanhood are special and sacred to each and every woman.

“By being part of this contest, I attempt to break beauty stereotypes. All endeavours to objectify a woman’s beauty or personality are bound to fail and I believe my humble efforts would offer humble lessons to society in this aspect.”

She said the criteria to be selected in ‘Mrs Middle East’ pageant would uphold the fact that every woman is special. “There are no height, weight or body measurement specifications for the participant and this makes the contest, in my judgment, superior to other ones.

I could not contest the Femina Miss India Beauty Pageant as the minimum height requirement for participants was five-foot, seven-inches.” The world of beauty is not new to Tina, who has won many beauty pageant awards including Teen Queen Runners up in 1999, Winter Queen 2002, May Queen second runner up in 2002, Miss India Bahrain 2003, July Rose 2002, Ms Kerala finalist and Sub-title winner apart from attaining May Queen Title and Best Smile award in 2005.

Tina is also a trained dancer having extraordinary achievements in classical, Western, folk and cinematic dance forms. Wearing the hat of a media personality, she has hosted several television shows, acted in various musical albums various commercials and serials and among them “World Cup 2018 Middle East” and “Nafas Home Food App” commercials won her a special recognition.

Tina has been an integral part of fashion shows and design demonstrations for local and international designers. As an aviation professional, Tina has worked for Gulf Air, Etihad Airways, Bahrain Air and Bahrain Royal Air Force.

Tina is married to Tony Nellicken and the couple has four children - Anton Nellicken, Jaden Nellicken, Helenamary Nellicken and Mikhael Nellicken. Her plans for the future include being part of social welfare programmes apart from volunteering for social causes.

“Bahrain is the most beautiful country on earth and I feel really proud to represent the nation at this event. I am hopeful that Bahrain will be hosting many such events in the future, giving opportunities for the women here to be part of them.”