I’ve won Mrs SA even if I never get the crown

Comedian Claudine Herman (formerly Ullman) is a finalist in Mrs South Africa. The SA Jewish Report caught up with her in the run-up to the big night.

What does it mean to be a finalist in Mrs SA?

I’m doing this not only to prove to myself, but to prove to my son and whoever else can be inspired that you can do anything you set your mind to. Little girls like me aren’t supposed to dream of becoming beauty queens. I always say that I’ve walked on hot coals, performed in front of thousands of people, given birth, and now I’ve walked the runway in a tiny winy, itzy, bitzy, yellow polka dot bikini. What can I not do?

What did it take to get this far?

I didn’t realise that this journey was going to be so difficult, in-depth, and taxing, and that I would be pushed out of my comfort zone and have to learn about myself. It’s a hell of a lot of work, but anything that takes this much work, time, and effort, is important. It’s a deep dive into my self-worth, really revealing what I’m capable of.

What do your family think about it?

When I first told my husband I was entering, he thought it was a big practical joke and I kind of thought so too because I didn’t realise what it entailed. When I went to the first workshop, I was like, “This could be the greatest thing I’ve ever done,” because this was really going to be an MBA of life.

I’ve learnt what makes me an incredible, gorgeous, worthy Claudine. A lot of people think that comedians are always happy, but I’ve suffered from depression and anxiety, and this has really solidified for me what makes me unique and special and what I have to offer this world. I have had the privilege of finding my voice in this process.

How do you compare to the other finalists?

When I first started this competition, I was intimidated by the beautiful, inspiring, and unique women who all have these incredible stories. Some of the women are cancer survivors. What they have overcome to be part of this competition is truly remarkable. I’m surrounded by incredible and inspiring women, so instead of seeing them as competition, I look at them and ask myself what I can learn from them.

I understand why it’s called a sisterhood because no one is trying to sabotage anyone else to get the crown. When I entered, I though thought it would be like Miss Congeniality, and there would be women pouring olive oil on the stage or pearls under our heels, but the women in the competition have been supportive, they have had my back when I needed them to. I see the other finalists as powerful women I look up to.

What do you think your chances are?

If you asked me at the beginning of the competition, I would have said I’m not a beauty queen, I’m doing it for fun. But at this stage of the competition, we’re now in the final, down to the top 30, and I think I have what it takes to win. Just saying those words, I’m so proud of myself because I’m a comedian, I’m not supposed to be a beauty queen.

The competition is about finding your authentic inner beauty, and I have reached the point where I see myself as authentically beautiful. So I think I have what it takes to win.

What’s the first thing you would do if you won?

I would call my sisters in London and Australia and jump up and down for joy.

The funny thing is that although I’m just a finalist, I feel like I’ve already won. I entered to get out of my comfort zone and prove anything is possible and I can do whatever I set my mind to. I feel like I’ve done that. It has been so rewarding. The crown would feel like a bonus now.

What did you have to overcome to get this far?

So much, starting with caring about what other people think of me. People initially said I shouldn’t do this because it wasn’t for me, it wasn’t comedy. The biggest thing I needed to do was stop giving a damn what other people thought of me. That has been the most liberating part of my journey. If that isn’t winning, I don’t know what is.

Don’t Jewish girls have too many insecurities to enter such competitions?

I don’t think it’s only Jewish girls – all girls. We all worry about the giggle and the wiggle and what’s rubbing together and stressing over crap like that. I had those insecurities, and I was worried about my thighs and the giggle in my costume and my cottage cheese cellulite thighs. I worried about what people thought of me, and I actually wasn’t living, I wasn’t feeling the ocean water, I wasn’t experiencing life to the fullest because I was so worried about what people would think of me. It’s true that women, Jewish or not, have many physical insecurities that stop them from living their lives. I decided I wasn’t going to do that for one more month, day, or second. I wasn’t going to allow my physical insecurities to hold me back from living my life and my dreams.

Isn’t the age of “beauty pageants” dead and buried?

Hell, no! It’s a huge industry that’s empowering women around the world. If you can get over those complexes and walk out on that runway, saying, “This is me, take it or leave it,” what could be more empowering than that?

What do you plan to do after Mrs SA if you don’t win?

I’m still a comedian, I still create content for brands, I’m still a hilarious human being, so whether I win or don’t win, I have won! I’m already taking so much out of this competition about my self-worth, how I can empower myself as a woman, and how I can empower those around me.

I’ll be proud of all the lessons I’ve learnt. I’ll use this Mrs SA platform to create characters or even a new show around the journey. I might create comedy around being in a beauty pageant. I have loads of material, and I’m going to continue being the hilarious, funny, gorgeous me.

Do you believe the community has a role to play in such competitions?

The Jewish community has supported me through this. It has completely had my back, and followed my journey from the beginning. I’ve had overwhelming feedback from the community on social media – people who don’t know me, saying we’ve got your back, we’re rooting for you, we want you to win. It’s because of them that on days when I feel it’s too much, I know I’ve got to continue. I’m grateful.

When are the finals and what can we expect?

The finals are on 11 November, my number in the competition is 11, and my life path number is 11. So if you’re into numerology, it should mean we can expect an amazing night. I’m just ready to rock that runway. I look forward to a hell of a good time.

• Follow Claudine on @claudinecomedy on Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.