On April 14, 2002 the newly crowned Miss Guyana/Universe, Mia Rahaman had the world at her feet, now one year later she is cooling her heels in a Canadian prison charged with importing cocaine.
Even in her moment of triumph, Mia had attracted controversy with critics saying she was overweight and that she led too carefree a lifestyle for a beauty queen.
Through it all she always appeared unflappable. When she was crowned many in the crowd at the National Cultural Centre had booed the decision but according to the Stabroek News report on that event "the bad behaviour... did not dampen Rahaman's spirits as the former Bishops' High School student continued to smile sweetly and hugged and kissed all those who congratulated her."
And when asked how she felt minutes after being crowned Mia had had gushed with genuine emotion, "Oh my! Wonderful!"
"I am glad I am having the opportunity to represent my country because I know I am going to do a good job. I wouldn't disappoint my people."
When describing herself in an interview with Stabroek News a few days later, the 22-year-old said, "Mia is a free spirit. She is a very positive person... She found herself a little while ago and she loves who she is. She loves people and she is exciting... she loves her family and her friends, loves to help people."
Several years before, Mia had written her CXCs and headed off to the Johnson & Wales University in Miami, a private culinary and hospitality college, where she completed a year and a half in hotel restaurant management. She had then moved to Canada where she took courses in English and Calculus and also worked at a hotel as a front-desk clerk. She studied dancing just to keep herself occupied. "I know how I am, if I don't keep myself going I would just fall into some hole and never come out," she recalled in the interview. On returning to Guyana she had taught and then worked at Whitewater Tours.
She had also promoted grass track racing and had promoted seven tournaments. She had also started a promotion business - Club 747 Event - but this had flopped for lack of business.
Mia called herself a "go-getter. I like to do things myself. With the grass track nobody helped me. At first my father (race driver and businessman Ray Rahaman) showed me the ropes then I broke away and did it on my own."
She had brushed off comments by some persons who felt that she was not an ideal role model because of the lifestyle she led: "I think I am the perfect role model because I have made mistakes in the past, who hasn't? But what I did, unlike people, I don't dwell on them. I learn from them so I would not make them again."
Asked if she drank heavily she had responded, "The whole of Guyana drinks socially. No I don't drink heavily.... Maybe I used to a long time ago, through adolescent rebellion, you know, you are just trying to find yourself. No, I cannot remember the last time I drank."
As for her weight Mia said she was not fat and that she had entered the pageant at 156 pounds, had lost 12 pounds and then put on back five pounds.
Before departing for the international stage, she was supported by a number of persons publicly in light of the criticism she had received.
After her appearance at the Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico many felt proud of her appearance given that she had been interviewed on camera during the show.
She may have won over the judges at the National Cultural Centre, but she now faces a far sterner test in a Canadian court.