On June 20th, the 2nd Annual Ms. National & Independent Gospel Music Association (N.I.G.M.A.) Christian Pageant took place in Greenville, South Carolina, USA.
It was a big day for Cindel Hollancid. Back in March, The Weight She Carries had the privilege of interviewing Hollancid, who candidly shared her journey to self-acceptance by choosing to see herself the way God does.
Back in January, Hollancid responded to an advertisement for the pageant and was thrilled to be chosen to represent the state of Michigan.
Today, she is delighted to be the 1st Runner-Up!
The Weight She Carries recently caught up with Hollancid to find out how the competition went!
On getting cold feet in the weeks leading up to the pageant:
I knew God was taking me there, but along the way I got very close to giving up. I was getting nervous and apprehensive about it all. But every time I decided I wasn’t going to do the pageant, someone would come along and ask me about it.
Initially, many family members and friends said they would come to support me, but as the date drew nearer, for one reason or another, no one was able to come. I began to worry that I would be the only contestant there without anyone there to support me.
But I realize now that God intended for me to go alone. I needed that one-on-one time with Him.
I didn’t have anyone come with me, but there was a certain section in the room that would stand up and cheer wildly for me whenever I walked on stage. I didn’t know them, but they felt impressed to be in my corner and show me so much love. I know this was God’s doing. And He used that to show me that He had ordained strangers to support me.
On the competition:
I got a chance to mingle with the other ladies and find out what they were all about. Just in speaking with them, I realized that they were all women of God and they had been exposed to the gospel music industry – some with multiple nominations for their work. So, I felt intimidated and began thinking, ‘Here I am, little me, with all these accomplished women.’
I went to my room and told God I was not ready for this crown and the responsibility that comes with it. How would I be able to lead these women and minister to them if I won? All I’m coming here with is Bible texts! I felt like I had nothing to offer.
On her talent:
My thought process was to recite Bible texts and affirmations that I have incorporated in my Christian journey. Powerful phrases like, “Now I know who I am in Christ; I am a child of God; I am totally and completely forgiven; I am a whole new creature, I am the salt of the earth…”
These affirmations each had Bible texts that coincide with them. So I put that all together and asked a friend to arrange some background music to go with it. We made it very creative.
I practiced for about a month and it was not easy remembering all those texts verbatim. I had to spend a lot of prayerful time alone with God.
On the day of the pageant, I was intimidated at first because the other women had such mind-blowing voices, and all I had were my texts. But I kept reminding myself that I was being authentic to myself, and that was OK.
I performed my talent and at the end of the pageant, I won Best Overall Talent!
On the crowning moment:
When it came down to just me and the other contestant, I couldn’t believe it. We were both standing there and I was in shock. I literally started crying because I’m holding this other contestant’s hand, we are the last two standing and I’m thinking, “God, am I really here?”
All these past moments of rejection flashed through my mind:
“Cindel, you’re not good enough.”
“Cindel, you’re not pretty enough,” – people calling me all these names and telling me I won’t succeed…
As I stood there I said to myself, “Wow, look at where God has brought me.”
When they announced the winner, I was genuinely, genuinely happy for the other contestant. I’m honoured that God saw it fit to give me the title of 1st runner up for such a pageant.
Take Away:
The experience confirmed that God loved me and that He chose me even before I was in my mother’s womb. And because of that, I will no longer be oppressed by negative connotations. I no longer have to believe all of that negativity that was embedded in my system since my early teenage years. I can now walk with my head held high because I know who I am in Christ.
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The pageant was a dream come true for Hollancid, who had long given up on that dream. Another dream she had since her early teenage years was to be a model, but doors were always slammed in her face. That dream has also come true. This fall, she will be featured in The Wedding Mag, Kalamazoo Bride, and Wedding Day.
Source: Facebook
Photographer: Kitty Lee Photography
Flowers: Crystal Springs Florist
Makeup: Isabel Marie Sanchez
Jewelry: M’s Jemz
Model: Cindel Holl
