Natasha Pavlovich 

Was born to Serbian parents in Popovi, a village nestled where the Drina and Sava Rivers cross in northern Bosnia (former Yugoslavia). She immigrated to Chicago in 1972. This young lady went to accomplish many of her dreams. She always wanted to be an actress and that is what she is now, but before many of her acting jobs she was a beauty pageant contestant. She won Miss Beverly Hills Pageant. That led to the Miss California contest where she finished in the top ten. While visiting family in Yugoslavia in 1991 she was crowned Miss Yugoslavia and went on to the Miss Universe pageant where, amongst 72 world beauties, Natasha placed 5th. Although she enjoyed the pageants, Natasha was set on an acting career and after the Miss Universe pageant returned to her primary goal. Now we at Beauties of Miss Yugoslavia have enormous honor to interview this great lady.

 

MB.- First of all I would like to welcome you as a first Miss Yugoslavia that has been interviewed on my page.  It has been 11 years since your phenomenal placement in Miss Universe pageant, what do you think now when you look back at those days? 

NP.- I think that I have been very blessed to have had the opportunity to represented  my country AND to have been considered among the most beautiful woman of the world.

MB.- As many people know you have competed in Miss California USA.  How did that compare to Miss Yugoslavia Competition?

NP.- California is known for some of the most beautiful blond, blue-eyed, tanned ladies. Yugoslavia, however, has a variety of even more beautiful women. Also, The Californian ladies are much more "trained." Yugoslavian ladies are more relaxed and natural.

 

 

MB.- What do you think are the benefits that a woman can obtain in competing in a beauty pageant?  Are there any negative  aspects?

NP.- I believe that a woman has to USE the pageant to her benefit. A woman can list it on her resume, use it as an "open door," get publicity, help her get an audience and get
heard. The only negative aspects are: there is only one woman crowned and there are politics and injustices involved. For example: I competed first for Miss Beverly Hills. I won over 32 other ladies. Then, when I went to Miss California (representing Beverly Hills), I learned I was competing with about a dozen ladies that I already competed with in Miss Beverly Hills. Apparently the other ladies paid their own entrance fees and "borrowed" or "named themselves" after cities with no pageants....like Santa Monica and Bell Air.
So, I had to compete with them again; I didn't think that was fair.

 

 

MB.- What are your memories from Miss Universe Competition?

NP.-It will always be a wonderful memory. I met many new friends from all over the world. Some of the best memories include when they called out "Miss Yugoslavia" as a semi-finalist. The other great memory I have is this: Miss Mexico won. There are thousands of Mexicans living in Las Vegas. I think they were all in the auditorium cheering for her, waving the Mexican flags. Wherever we went, there were crowds for Miss Mexico. Well, I had some family and friends travel to Vegas to support me. On a daily bases when we took the elevator down to the lobby, my Friends and Family had the accordion going...singing....dancing kolo and cacak (Traditional Serbian dances)....and I thought that they made more noise and had even more enthusiasm than the Mexicans.. so I was very very proud.

 
 

MB.- Many recent Yugoslavian representatives have been saying that pageants are influenced by politics a lot.  What do you think about this issue?

NP.- Unfortunately, I believe that is true. From my own experiences, the pageant is a television PRODUCTION....that makes millions of dollars. It's a business. It's politics.

MB.-I have one more question dealing with pageants before we go onto more recent issues?  What do you think Yugoslav ladies need to do in order to achieve what you did in Miss Universe pageant?

NP.- Be their selves.

Natasa is Third from Right
 

MB.- Now lets move on.  Tell us more what have you been doing since Miss Universe competition?

NP.- I have been working as an actress in many television shows. I have been pursuing an acting career. I have also earned my Private Pilots' License. I am the first female licensed pilot in the republics of Serbia and also "Bosnia and Herzegovina."

 

MB.- You have been appearing in many TV shows and movies?  What is it that keeps you going in such a hard business as acting?

NP.- My faith in God, my passion for acting, and I've been told that I have "slivovitz" (Traditional Serbian Brandy") going through my blood. Ha ha.

Left you can see Natasha during filming of JAG episode

 

 

MB.- Anything else that you would like visitors of Beauties of Miss Yugoslavia page to know about you, about pageants or anything else.

NP.- Yugoslavian woman are some of the most beautiful woman in the world. I encourage all of them to make their mark in the world.

MB.- It was pleasure interviewing you and I hope all your dreams come true, if they didn't already. Thank you again for taking time from your busy schedule to let all the Yugoslav Beauty Pageant fans enjoy this interview

NP.- Thank you!

All pictures are courtesy of Natasha Pavlovich's official web site. If you want to find out more about Natasha visit her official web site at www.natashapavlovich.com