Jennifer Lloyd on the story "Power of Beauty"

Name: Jennifer Lloyd.
Age: 46 years old.

- Hello Jennifer! 
- We are very pleased to record this interview with you, and also want to congratulate you on your new title “Mrs. Queen of the World 2024"

- As we know, you are now actively traveling around Asia and taking part in new projects as a special guest. Tell us a little about this?

Jennifer: 
“My advocacy work with women and children has a global vision and reach. I have already traveled internationally to seven countries and all over the United States America sharing inspiration and using tech in the right ways to promote more human wellbeing, access to employment and opportunities. I am teaching women to own their super power on digital platforms as well as in person.”

-Tell us a little about your childhood in South Korea?

Jennifer:
- (My parents immigrated to the U.S. and I was born in the U.S. and moved to Korea at age 2)

 “My Japanese father and Korean mother met each other in South Korea during his military station for the U.S. Army.
While stationed in South Korea, my family suffered a lot of hardship because my father was a low ranking soilder and my mother was a stay at home mother raising 3 small children. Often times, my father was deployed on duty and she was a single parent. We dealt with food insecurities and relied upon government subsidies to help us survive. I lived in a cement box with no running water and no indoor bathroom. Our toilet was a small plastic trash can that my mother would clean several times a day.
We had a very difficult time in the cold Korean winters to buy coal to keep the heat on and cook. Frequently, I would see my mother crying and praying because she was so helpless. I remember her hand washing clothes outside in the freezing weather and suffering. When I turned 6 years old, my mother had no choice and started black marketing on the streets to make extra money. I learned from an early age, we were different and discriminated from Koreans because we were an interracial family.
My older brother would get rocks thrown at him and kids would always fight him. I remember vividly running free in fields catching dragonflies singing; this was the happiest moments in my childhood in Korea.”

- How do your Korean roots influence your vision of the world and life? 

Jennifer:
“The hardships I experienced created an underlying influence in my belief system about personal responsibility. I grew up with disparities that made me feel unworthy, insecure and unwanted in my community.  I had learned that if I wanted something better for myself, I had to earn it myself. I could not rely on my parents because they were on survival mode. I had to hustle and earn everything I wanted to experience. I had to fight cultural barriers and stand up for myself even when I was doubted. I truly believe that YOU are your biggest advocate. No one believes in your dreams more than you! I am in a position now where I am paying it forward to women because I believe it is not only a social responsibility but an ethical obligation to support women; I am the woman I needed. I serve as an advocate for Dress for Success, a global nonprofit organization, in which I provide complimentary headshots to job seekers. My clients are 98% immigrant women who are looking for an opportunity. My services provide women a professional photo for their online job search. First impressions are the most important part of an application and it feels good to use my knowledge, talent and past experiences to help women.”

- What was your childhood like after immigrating to the USA? 

Jennifer:
“I was 10 years old when my parents sent me to live in California to go to school. I slept on a hard floor and I remember crying so much because I missed my parents. My father’s side of the family accepted me and I had no idea about the living conditions and how lonely I would feel. I had no choice.
Moving to the U.S. was a cultural shock because I missed Korean food and had to adjust to another culture, a strangers home and learn how to fit in. I would write letters to my parents however none of my letters were mailed. My basic needs were met and that was enough in their eyes. I know this is a common sacrifice many Korean families make so their children can get a better education.”

- What difficulties did you experience adapting to a new country?

Jennifer:
“I faced a lot of adversity and challenges because Koreans were discriminated against and  I was usually the only Asian in my class. I was often called a “gook” (slang word that is used to describe an asian) and I had difficulty meeting friends. I realized that I was different, I disliked my slanted eyes and my culture. I wanted to be like everyone else and have nice clothes, look like an American and have a mom that looked like the other American moms. I was embarrassed and naive. This poor self reflection was a lack of respect for who God created me to be. As a young child, you don’t know how to navigate the world and that lack of knowledge is still real for many immigrants.”

-What difficulties did you have to overcome to achieve success? 

Jennifer:
” I have had many doors close on me and forced to face my own negative thoughts. I spent many years admiring super models, fashion designers, set productions and dreaming about being pretty enough to be accepted by an agency.
At 16 years old, I auditioned for Elite Modeling Agency in Tokyo, Japan. I was told to put on a bikini and stand in front of a panel while the agency took photos of me. After the photos, the agent told me that I needed to lose weight and what my measurements needed to be. From that moment, I changed the trajectory of my life. I began a journey of early morning workouts before school and had a very strict diet. I studied models in magazines and would put tear sheets up on my walls. After 3 months, I returned back to the agency and I began auditioning for jobs. I started to work as a model and I realized I could get casted, however there was no guarantee you would get the job. It was through this process I started figuring out that a no didn’t mean forever, it just meant not at this time. I wanted more and I just never took no as a final answer. Did it hurt? Yes, rejection was a feeling I was so familiar with but when you have nothing to lose, you have everything to gain.”

- How do your children feel about your immigration story?

Jennifer:
“My children often tell me that I am not like the other moms. I take this as a compliment because I have adapted to both the western and eastern cultures, accepted my heritage and I am proud to be born of a Korean mother. I am uniquely blessed and proud to be who God created me to be. My culture lives in my household, how I parent my children, and is the core of my values. My husband admires my ability to navigate our busy lives, supports my work life and he benefits having a supermodel wife with exotic features. I would not be this strong of a woman without all the hardships I faced. My compassion for others stems from the trauma I endured and I am grateful I am in a position now to use my gifts to change the lives of others. It’s a healing journey that I know God is using for a greater purpose.”

- What valuable lessons do you hope to pass on to your children?

Jennifer:
 “My children are supported extremely well because I know what they need. Children need emotional support, physical connection and unconditional love. The disposition I faced early in life, fuels me to give my kids the best life possible. I want my legacy to teach them to work hard and never give up on their dreams. It took a lifetime for me to reach some of my dreams, and I’m not stopping.”

 How do you maintain contact with the culture of your homeland?

Jennifer:
“My culture is my identity. I hold Korean customs in my home, in my personal relationships and express my love language through cooking.
I learned how to cook authentic Korean dishes by my mother and I speak Korean with her. Having traditions and customs reminds me of home.”

-How do you celebrate important events and cultural traditional holidays in your family?

Jennifer:
“In my household, we put a lot of emphasis on food. When my family comes over to celebrate, I host the most delicious meals and prepare enough for my family to take food home. When I make Galbi, I will call my mother over and we will hand grind ingredients together, spend time cutting fat off the meat, talk about how nice the meat looks, and taste our marinade together. It’s a simple ritual we both feel proud of when our family enjoys the taste. Spending time with my roots always revolves around food, laughter, tears and photos.”

- What is the importance of education to you and how do you encourage your six children to learn?

Jennifer:
“I served as an elected official serving thousands of children as a School Board Director. As a politician, I understood first hand how education opens the doors for opportunities, especially for immigrants. Five of my children have all graduated from University and the youngest one is attending a Christian private school. I believe you get one chance in your child’s life between the ages of 0-5 to set the right example. Children will learn first from their parents.”

- How do you fight discrimination and stereotypes in society?

Jennifer:
“The discrimination I face today as a woman is the bias towards being a wife and mother. I am more than just a title, I am a woman with hopes and dreams. Society is learning that women can achieve success at any stage in life. I have experienced many transitions in my life and I believe it’s never too late to start something new. No one can limit you, or tell you that you have too much. I decide the level of success I want.”

How do you assess your role in the family and society?

Jennifer:
“I am redefining what motherhood looks like and teaching women about financial independence and economic sustainability. Empowerment means we all have the right to choose; a woman can be a stay at home mother or a working mother, both are equally right for her. As a business owner, I found freedom in how I choose to use my time and resources. Today, I am empowering women to take a step towards business ownership and believing in the possibility to use their talents and gifts to become financially independent.”

- What does it mean to you to be a successful woman in the modern world?

Jennifer:
“My humble beginnings has taught me more about life than any achievements. I have the power to influence and inspire women and children through acts of service and leadership. As an advisory board member for the Global Beauty Awards, I am changing lives by sponsoring events for orphaned and abandoned children in Quintana Roo, Mexico and providing opportunities for young adults to learn about production and help them develop skills.”

- What lessons did you learn from your experience participating in the beauty pageant (Mrs. World)? (As we know, you took part in this competition 2 times).

Jennifer:
“A significance of any experience is really up to you. I gained access to business partnerships with the only 2 sponsors they had and volunteered behind the scenes for the organization. I gave my time, provided photography, created media for the organization and sponsors because as a leader, I recognized areas of improvement, gaps in leadership and opportunities for my talents to be recognized. I learned that my value would bring more success to the organization and that it didn’t necessarily depend on whether I won because I earned the respect through my merit and hard work. To this day, my relationships with all my partnerships have benefited greatly and I’m thankful for it.
I can also attest that the production quality was low and equivalent to a high school talent show, there was no prize package listed, and the winner lacked proper support after being crowned. I learned that that a queens success is clearly up to the titleholder, her determination, and nothing to do with the affiliation.”

-After participating in the prestigious competition (Mrs. World) you took part in (Mrs. Queen of the World 2024), don’t you think that new competitions are not so successful and are recognized in the list of Top 3 major beauty pageants in the world?
(For example, in Korea there are 3 very famous competitions: Mrs. World, Mrs. Universe, Mrs. Globe).

Jemmifer:
“A modern pageant is one that is inclusive and innovative. Queen of the World is a prestigious International Pageant that is modern and although it’s in its 5th season, the pageant is globally recognized. Everyone thought Apple technology was the world’s best until Samsung emerged, and in the fashion industry, Gentle Monster is taking over eye wear around the world. Korean brands were once unknown and now trending. This goes for pageant businesses as well. If a business doesn’t innovate, you lose position. I base the health of an organization by its ability to stay competitive and maintain healthy relationships with stakeholders. My decision to compete in an International competition (QOTW) representing Korea was a strategic decision and an entrepreneurial investment to compete with an innovative modern pageant that will lead the industry. I recognized from a business perspective, I needed to align my vision with an organization that is focused on providing contestants with a world class production, transparency in prize packages, mutual benefiting contracts and healthy partnerships with sponsors. It has been under 3 months since my crowning and I have been featured consistently in TV and print media around the world, now featured by Sure Magazine and given generous prizes such as a diamond necklace, wardrobe, products and services as well as international travel opportunities. My name is known in the pageant industry because of my merit, discipline and partnerships. The title is ultimately a personal responsibility and a choice to make an impact. There are pageants with contestants representing Korea, but none like me. I am pioneering the way for organizations and title holders to follow.”

- What does the title “Mrs Queen of the World 2024” mean to you?

Jennifer:
“I am truly humbled by Gods grace in my life and thankful that I survived through extraordinary circumstances. It is a privilege to be of purpose to make a contribution to the overall betterment of our world and build a strong foundation for the next generation of women leaders.”

- What goals and dreams would you like to achieve in the future?

Jennifer:
“ I am currently expanding commercial development projects in several cities and continuing to invest in leadership development and personal growth with my advocacy. I plan on working more in global humanitarian aid  and speaking to women in countries around the world.”

- What principles and values are the basis of your success?

Jennifer:
“Leading with integrity and consistency is the key to building a strong foundation in relationships, business and in life. The discipline I have is learned. It’s a choice I make daily to be the best version of me.”

- What role does your past play in shaping your personality and career?

Jennifer:
“My experiences taught me the importance of being authentic. I can’t make someone like me or accept me, even pick me to win a pageant.  I learned that if I work in excellence in everything I do, people will always remember that.”

- What advice would you give to women who dream of success in business?

Jennifer:
“It is never too late to start something new. You just need to start and keep building off of your experiences. Being new to an industry doesn’t mean that you are not good enough, or unworthy of success. Putting yourself out there is an actionable risk which will give you an advantage because your confidence will grow and you will become stronger. What is meant for you can not be taken away therefore, dream bigger and live life unapologetically with no limits.”

Cover heroine: Jennifer Lloyd.
Instagram: @jenniferelloyd

Photographer: Fadill Berisha Photography.
Instagram: @fadilberishaphotography

Stylist: Blair Berisha and Peter Phillips.
Instagram: @blair.berisha @bbcouturenyc

Hair and Makeup: Cara Lovello.
Instagram: @makeup_cara

Production Assistant: Milana Kovalevich.
Instagram: @officialmilanakova