Rachel Kim may look like just another college student with big dreams, but her dreams involve winning the next Miss California USA Pageant. Free-spirited and open-minded, Rachel shares with us how she’s breaking down beauty conventions and why we need a Korean to become the next Miss California USA.

What motivated you to apply for the Miss California USA Pageant?

I actually applied to be a contestant for Miss California spontaneously. My friend was a contestant before I was, and it peaked my interest. So I did a little research to see how to become a contestant. I found out all I had to do was apply online, and I just went for it. I told myself if I didn’t get a reply back then it wasn’t meant to be. I’m not serious about the pageant business, but all I knew was that if given the opportunity, I would take it. I’m glad I took it because I wanted to do something different, get out of my comfort zone, and experience something new.

For those of us who are unfamiliar with the pageant scene, explain your experiences so far as a contestant, and what are the next steps on your journey to becoming Miss California USA?

I’m actually new to the pageant scene as well. I went into this knowing absolutely nothing! But so far, I’ve been working out, finding sponsors, and raising funds for my pageant and a charity of my choice. I’m still trying to find sponsors to promote me or to donate to my funds and my cause. It’s just an overall crazy and expensive experience! I still need to find a dress and all the outfits for the pageant!

Given the common perception of California as the homebase of blonde hair and blue eyes, how are you challenging these beauty ideals?

I’m challenging these common ideals by representing the Asian community and showing California that an Asian woman can be just as powerful as any other woman who wins the Miss California title. I’ve seen many of these contestants at a media day training and it feels great seeing many more Asians competing. It shows that California is very diverse. Hopefully this year I will be the Asian woman representing Miss California!

Why should the next Miss California USA be a woman of Korean descent?

The next Miss California should be of Korean descent because it will give our culture a reason to feel like we finally belong. We came to America with little to no money, and we spent everything trying to raise our children based on the dreams we had of this country. We’ve climbed the social ladder through hard work, and it would only be fitting if Miss California was Korean!

What do you hope to achieve as Miss California USA?

As Miss California, I want to reach out to the Asian community and give them confidence to achieve their dreams. But of course, I won’t forget about the rest of the state! I want to give to an anti-bullying charity, and I aim to be a spokesperson against it! I want to be a role model and show that California is an exquisite state with many different cultures.

What can readers do to support you?

The readers can support me by “like”-ing my Facebook page (rk4misscausa) and by following up on all the fundraisers that I do. If there is anyone who wants to sponsor me, that would be great, too!

[Photos: Courtesy of Rachel Kim]