Million Hour Baby — How A Determined American Woman Trained with Miss India’s Team to Achieve Her Edge

The depiction of a model has changed hugely. Gone are the days when models were typecast, confined within the societal boundaries of physical beauty and aesthetics. Decades ago, models were perceived as mere clothes hangers, parading the latest fashions with little regard for their intellect or individuality.

Photo: Mariya Maximtsev; Jewelry: Buccellati; Wardrobe: Versace, Valentino, Marciano by GUESS; Shoes: Rene Caovilla

Fast-forward to the present, and the modeling industry has evolved drastically. The new breed of models, breaking through the confines of traditional stereotypes, are redefining societal expectations, blending intellect with aesthetics, and reshaping the narrative around beauty and success.
Among these game changers is Mischaela Elkins. “A model is more than a breathing mannequin,» she quipped. Elkins, a former Miss Peru and a current member of the esteemed Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue class. Her radiant energy, combined with the grounded charm of an everyday girl, captivates and fascinates her audience.

Photo: Mariya Maximtsev; Jewelry: Buccellati; Wardrobe: Versace, Valentino, Marciano by GUESS; Shoes: Rene Caovilla

Mischaela began her beauty pageant journey at age 18 by entering in a regional lead up to Miss Universe while a freshman at University, finishing 2nd runner up. She entered and won the Ms. Universe title in 2021, and has plans to enter Mrs. Universe. If she succeeds, she will be the first woman to compete in Miss Universe, Ms. Universe, and Mrs. Universe — the top 3 pageant franchises for each phase of a woman’s life. 
Behind the mesmerizing beauty and striking presence, is an indomitable spirit that embarked on an arduous journey to achieve these noteworthy accomplishments. However, this story of dreams, wishes, ambitions, and wisdom is not a tale of overnight success. Instead, it is a chronicle of hard work, relentless determination, and meticulous planning, often taking place in the backdrop of late-night training sessions.

Elkins describes her journey with a balanced blend of rigorous discipline and light-hearted humor, «I trained weekly on some nights at 2-4 AM on weeknights and weekends to connect with the team that has trained countless Miss Indias for beauty pageants,» she shared. India, a country recognized for its meticulous preparation and a consistent track record of victories in international beauty pageants, was the perfect training ground for Elkins.
Mischaela’s swimsuit competition score was just 4/10ths of a solid point away from a perfect 10 score across the board from all 40 judges in a presentation reminiscent of the bombshell Miss World from India, Aishwarya Rai. More exactingly, Mischaela’s interview score was 4 out of 400 total points off of a perfect 10 across all 40 judges — reminiscent of former Miss India and former Miss Universe, Lara Dutta. Her dedication to this world-class regimen played a vital role in her winning streak as she left the competition behind in the two key areas of pageant competition that India is known for excelling in: swimsuit and interview.

Photo: Mariya Maximtsev; Jewelry: Buccellati; Wardrobe: Versace, Valentino, Marciano by GUESS; Shoes: Rene Caovilla

Early Beginnings and Rising Stardom

Elkins’ career took off when she was just 17 years old. Her unique perspective of viewing modeling as a serious occupation set the stage for her remarkable journey. This perspective ignited a path that straddled the glamorous and competitive worlds of fashion and corporate strategy.

Among her many crowns and accolades, her rising star as an international MAXIM model followed by an induction into the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue class of 2023 stands as a significant recognition of her contributions. The 2023 forecast highlights an emerging demand for models who offer more than just physical beauty. Elkins’ intellectual prowess, business acumen, and engaging persona align seamlessly with this evolving profession.

Defying Stereotypes

Despite her striking success, Elkins had her share of critics. Some insiders argue that her pursuit of an MBA and a modeling career is a noble idea but could potentially divert her focus. However, these voices of skepticism didn’t deter Elkins. Instead, she used this criticism as fuel to drive her ambitions, setting new standards in a business that is often seen through a restrictive lens.

Elkins stands tall as a symbol of resistance, challenging stereotypes, and revolutionizing perceptions. Her journey of juggling education, corporate roles, and a modeling career has solidified her place in the field, inspiring countless young women to carve their own paths.

Photo: Mariya Maximtsev; Jewelry: Buccellati; Wardrobe: Versace, Valentino, Marciano by GUESS; Shoes: Rene Caovilla

Empowering Through Beauty

Mischaela Elkins is more than a model; she’s a role model. As a woman of substance, she has made her mark in a community that is finally beginning to appreciate the value of individuality and intellect. The evidence of this shift is visible in her rise to fame and her ever-growing fan following, which consists of beauty enthusiasts and individuals inspired by her unique journey and uplifting message. As a sign of her impact her bio as a beauty pageant titleholder and member of Mensa is part of the Mensa Voices volume that is part of the permanent archive in the United States Library of Congress.

Elkins’ aspirations do not stop at her modeling and beauty pageant achievements. She aims to use her influence and platform to foster positive change, especially for women grappling with body image and self-esteem issues.

Elkins shared a powerful observation, “My hard work paid off. This team undeniably helped me be fit for the crown, and it all came down to individualism, confidence, poise, and public speaking — which every woman can put to work to succeed in life, academics, career, etc.»

Elkins’ message of empowerment, which emphasizes the virtues of hard work, confidence, and self-belief continues to redefine standards of beauty and success on what it means to be a model in the 21st century.