The countdown continues! 7 days until the MISS VIRTUAL WORLD 2010 pageant Grand Finale and the next, deserving lady is recognized. I just attended the second rehearsal. Everyone is working around the clock to make things “just so”. The mood is tired, but upbeat. The sets are beautiful. The ladies are beautiful. The Grand Finale for MISS VIRTUAL WORLD 2010 will be held at the Patch Thibaud Auditorium on December 19, Saturday 11AM SLT. There is nothing else like this in Second Life. See you there!

Miss Sweden, Butterfli Sorbet

Butterfli: I have worked very hard to where I got. You have to work from the ground up. Sometimes it is who you know so it is always good to network. I started hosting at SL Illustrated, then Frank’s and while at Frank’s I really started to get into modeling. JCNY is a great way to start and entering as many competitions as you can. Going to school for modeling is a plus. I had the wonderful teacher in Tula Howlett, she was the greatest mentor anyone could have.

Kate: Hej! Hur mår du?
Butterfli: Jag mår bra, tack! Hur mår du?
Kate: Jag mår också bra, tack! So nice to talk to the next generation Miss Sweden! When you are not modeling… do you still host? Any other hobbies or businesses in SL?

Butterfli: Well, I have an agency for new models as well as Top Models…it is called The “Element” Agency. I started it to work with friends and new models. I also co-own Whispering Ruins Nightclub with my RL husband of 24 years CapUSA Skytower. Both have been a great success. My first show with the agency was with my very good friend Elisea Carter of Gold in the Night. She is one of the best Italian Designers on SL.
Kate: I noticed an “RIP” next to your profile pick for Cindi Messmer… she seemed like a very close friend… can you talk about that?
Butterfli: Oh I do not mind at all. Cindi was my very first SL Best Friend… we both worked together at Frank’s. She was the sweetest, most endearing, loveable person you could ever meet. She was a DJ. I was her Maid of Honor at her wedding. She passed away in August of an inoperable brain tumor. We always thought there would be time to meet, but we never had the chance. It came on sudden and took her. Her mother in real life Jazzie Rossini…is also another treasured soul. I miss Cindi so much. We had the best times…
Kate: This tumor took her relatively young?
Butterfli: she was young in RL, a few years younger than me lol but we won’t say.
Kate: Nonsense, many women marry at 9 or 10, I am sure…
Butterfli: She is laughing at me right now I’m sure. She really was a great soul. She really supported me. She was at my graduation at LeBelle Facon. She would have been at the MVW to cheer me on but
Kate: I am so sorry for your loss. You are very brave to continue on like you are…
Butterfli:
Kate: So, I heard there was a clarification on the rules about skins at the MVW finale rehearsal… are you out shopping?
Butterfli: No. I feel they picked me for me. Why change?
Kate: Changing as a reaction rather than a plan does sound like maybe a bad idea.
Butterfli: Well, we were told in the beginning not to change. Now we can…  I don’t want to.  I am Fli. It’s different when it comes to fashion shows…but this competition is for who we are as a MODEL.
Kate: You are saying MVW is more about you being you and bringing a unique viewpoint on fashion and beauty and style to the pageant?
Butterfli: I agree. Sure we can change skins…but was that you coming into this competition? I am fine with me
Kate: I suppose when you feel that way,  it doesn’t matter what the rules say or don’t say. Being authentically you is what’s important… even in this interview… finalists who get frightened or nervous and try to blend disappear… They do themselves an enormous disservice.
Butterfli: I totally agree…being chosen with the look you had and have is the biggest flattery!
Kate: Well, I think they look at someone else, another finalist, and say… yikes, she is really beautiful!
Butterfli: yes
Kate: Imagine looking around and saying that to yourself 22 times! Being a finalist is very unsettling.
Butterfli: but like in RL…it is still the person from within
Kate: Things are coming down to the line with the pageant… are you ready for the finale? How are you feeling?
Butterfli: I am great…I know there are better models than me…but I am very confident with who I am…I am Fli…a model who gives 200%, helps with those who need it…and have friends in the pageant who I hope win! lol
Kate: I caught a bit of the rehearsal today… how is the choreography? Does it look like it will be doable in lag?
Butterfli: Actually yes it is a pretty doable lag…it is an OUTSTANDING set WOW! There really is hardly any walking which is always good. I think Frolic took lag into great consideration!
Kate: Is there anything that we didn’t cover in the interview that you would like to add?
Butterfli: I would just like to add… that the models in this competition are the most wonderful models, kind and endearing as you can get. As I said there are friends of mine who I would love to see win…there are some I have just met I never knew before and think to myself…wow she is amazing. This competition is more than just winning. It is about learning, making friends, helping those who need it and the exposure you get…it really has been a wonderful experience wow!
Kate: What advice would you give to someone who is considering applying to the pageant next year?
Butterfli: Well honest truth now… be prepared… even if you think you have done it all…you have not once you get here. You learn new things constantly that not even an Academy can teach you. Be prepared to make sacrifices…in both SL and RL. Always be available! Yes you will need extra lindens. You will need to network with designers and creators. But please, please remember to prepare yourself!

Kate Stockholm is a featured columnist 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.