A young Māori woman is making her fairy-tale dream come true. Candace Wilson will take on girls from around the world at this year's Face of the Globe international beauty pageant held at Disneyland in Paris and London.
Some people call it the happiest place on earth. Disneyland will be the backdrop for the beauty pageant and for the first time ever a Māori will be representing New Zealand.
Wilson (Te Arawa, Ngāti Porou) says, "It just feels like a lot of pressure is on you almost, because you are representing your country and I'm the first Māori, so I'm really excited to go. There has been plenty of New Zealand reps in the past and I just hope I do it justice, really."
Wilson was brought up in Auckland but lives in Brisbane. She admits she has always dreamt of being a princess.
"It's the one day that I get to be a princess. I've never pictured myself in pageants and stuff. I'm just really surprised that I actually got chosen," Wilson says.
She's also an accomplished break-dancer and choreographer, which she hopes will give her the advantage over the rest.
"I'm definitely going to be utilising that skill and hopefully I get to perform at Disneyland in Paris at the grand final and we are going to be doing fitness we are going to be doing a masquerade ball," Wilson adds.
In three months time, we will see if Candace gets her happily ever after.