Words escape me.  With joy this jaded heart warms again to an in-world performance of original music. Thank you motimotimoti Campese. Today on Up Close and Personal, we meet a finalist who will do something on the blog that has never been done before. Enjoy!

Miss Holland, Melanie Sautereau

Melanie: I’m representing Holland and Holland is the country I was born and raised. I was raised in a loving family, who always was helping others in need and showed me and others the definition of respect. There was a time my mother and me were alone for a few years due several circumstances. I was 8 at that time. I will always remember that time, because we were very poor and sometimes my mother didn’t eat because she had to feed me. She always thought about everyone else, to make them happy. Many things happened in those years and its a detailed story, it makes me stronger and it gave me other and even better standards and values I believe. I really look up to my mother; she’s a very strong, caring and loving woman. She’s a fighter, and so am I. I will never pretend like some one else. What you see is what you get. I’m very reliable and committed with my modeling work and I have an unprecedented perseverance. Every achievement or disappointment makes me even stronger and more energetic. And I always feel it’s like something to learn from. I take my SL very serious and I live this life like it would be my RL. That means that I care about everyone and I have respect for every human being.  I might have a sweet and cute appearance, but I have a strong personality and I know my standards and values. I’m very open minded, always willing to help and my heart is open to everyone…. Many hugs to the fans and thank you! (And I’m kinda nervous about this interview, haha)

Kate: WOW, that’s a first! An RL picture! How do you spend your time on SL? Any hobbies?
Melanie: When I’m on SL I am very busy with modeling most of the time.. Not only walking fashion shows or photo shoots, but I also spend a lot of time with finding the right outfit to show myself off. I lovveee to mix and match different designs and find a perfect combination. I believe that’s one hobby Besides modeling, I also teach. It’s great to learn people everything you know, and when people come to me afterwards and saying “thank you Mel, for your help”. It always gives me a smile, I’m glad to help others. Another hobby is to chat with my friends here. We don’t see each other very often, but I speak with them every day via IM mostly. My friends are very, very important to me.
Kate: Your matching of the copper accessories with the peach gown in the designer challenge II last week was brilliant!
Melanie: Thank you so much Kate! When I saw that outfit, I was like WOW! Dezi Jarvinen did an amazing job with this dress. It has a great texture and it’s very well detailed. I wanted to create a natural look. Normally I go for unusual like big hair or big attachments. But this time I felt the need to keep it simple. And again, it took me a few hours to find this combination. I’m such a perfectionist and it drives me crazy sometimes, lol. But, I enjoy it so much
Kate: Yes, I think that is what impressed me so much, the simplicity, the shoe color and texture matched the jewelry. And I love understated hair. I went out and bought that style right after the show!
Melanie: I heard many people did. Well, W&Y has really great hair for every occasion. You really should check them all!

Kate: Is your teaching informal or are you part of an academy?
Melanie: Both, sometimes people are coming to me and ask me for advice, tips, etc about modeling.. I really like that. At the EIMA agency, I teach other models about modeling and the runway routine EIMA has. The models there are already well trained, but It’s good to keep on practicing, improving your skills and watching others modeling. Opium recently opened their Fashion Academy, which is very advanced. You can learn about modeling, fashion design, show script writing, styling, etc… I’m going to be Opium’s stylist and I can’t wait to get started.
Kate: I just ran into Mallory the other day. I love her so much. It was so nice to see her again. Maybe it’s selfish of me, but Opium is her vision, I’m hoping she gets re-involved.
Melanie: I got hired at Opium the day Mallory left. So I didn’t get the chance to really get to know her. But you know Mallory is working with Opium again? She’s back, and we’re so glad to have her with us again.
Kate: That’s great! Great news!
Melanie: Yes, it certainly is
Kate: I love it when good things happen in SL.
Melanie: Yes, I agree It always makes me smile
Kate: Melanie, congratulations on being a finalist!
Melanie: Entering the MVW pageant was the best thing I could do in my SL life. MVW gives me the opportunity to be creative. The positive attention is great, and I thank every person who believes in me. I met really friendly girls and made new friends.
Kate: Melanie, your impressive series of challenge stylings for the Miss Virtual World contest have brought you a great deal of attention. One might even say you are among the front-runners. What are your feelings about this? Has the attention made your SL easier or harder?
Melanie: When I decided to enter the MVW I know it would be a tough contest and would be very demanding sometimes. It takes a lot from you as a person. You have to concentrate for 100% and keep your eyes and ears open. When it comes to a challenge, I always pick my outfits very carefully. Of course, I want to win a challenge, but more importantly is to feel comfortable with the outfit. I want to show my own style in every outfit. That’s why I often wear hats for example. I’m a hat-addict. LOL. It’s always hard to know what the judges are looking for. For example, last challenge theme was 1920’s. You can create many outfits matching that theme. So you never know I did my best again, but I didn’t make it. The judges must have had their reasons for not choosing me. I felt disappointed in myself, because I really spend much time on this outfit, finding the right combination again. I thought it would be good enough to make the top 5. But its OK, I’m really happy for the other girls. They really deserved it and their pictures were absolutely fantastic. Really awesome.

Kate: The grand finale is right around the corner… do you feel ready?
Melanie: Ohh Kate… the grand finale. I feel that I’m ready. I have my outfits, I only need to style them. I won’t tell much about it, Its all a secret, haha, but lets say that my evening gown will be a creation of a few designers. I want to show an outfit during the finale that everyone can buy in the shops of SL. And again, I can be creative! YAY! ) I feel very nervous, I don’t know what to expect. On the other side, I feel very excited and I can’t wait to the “big” day and to see all those lovely creations everyone made… And to find out who will be the next MVW. I understand it’s a tough job for the judges to decide who the next Miss Virtual World will be. Let me say that Mimmi Boa isn’t replacable in any way!!! What Mimmi did and who she is, is really a one of a kind. I hope the next Miss Virtual World will follow her steps, on a way how she thinks it’s the best. I want to thank the MVW organization for this beautiful chance they gave to me, to participate in the MVW pageant. Whether I will win or not, it certainly has been a great experience and I will never forget the great time I have so far and what I’ve learned. Also I would like to thank the people who are supporting and believing me. It’s really touching me and I wish I could do something in return. I also would like to thank the ladies, you all are truly wonderful and you all deserve to win. My heart is yours!
Kate: What advice would you have for an applicant next year?
Melanie: For anyone who would like to apply next year this is my advice.. Never change yourself as a person, make sure you stand out and be confident. Show yourself to the world but never become arrogant or disrespectful to others. Make sure you have your very own style… I’m sure everything will be all right then

The Grand Finals for the Miss Virtual World will be held at the Patch Thibaud Auditorium on December 19, Saturday. See you there!

Kate Stockholm is a senior staff writer for Best of Second Life Magazine, a retired SL Mentor and a Miss Virtual World Organization executive. She was last year’s Miss Sweden and winner of Miss Congeniality.