Spotlight: Emily Kenniston, Pageant Queen
Emily Kenniston is a versatile professional whose career spans modeling, acting, writing, and community service. A proud Penn State alumna, Emily embarked on her modeling journey during her college years, laying the foundation for a successful career in the fashion industry. Specializing in bridal modeling, Emily has collaborated with some of the most esteemed professionals in the field. Her expertise in this niche has even led to occasional joint modeling projects with her husband, adding a unique dimension to her portfolio. Beyond the runway, Emily's talents extend to the world of literature as a professional author. Her writing complements her visual artistry, showcasing her creative versatility. As Mrs. Ireland Continental Worldwide (formerly Mrs. Pennsylvania Continental Worldwide), Emily is deeply committed to community service. This prestigious title has amplified her platform for volunteerism, allowing her to make a significant impact in various charitable initiatives. Emily Kenniston embodies the perfect blend of glamour, intellect, and compassion, making her a true Renaissance woman in today's dynamic world. Below you will find my interview with Emily.
Tell us about your early life. Where did you grow up and what were your dreams? What did you go to college for and why? Did you ever do anything with your degree?
I was lucky enough to grow up with the two most amazing parents in the world (I may be biased :) and an awesome little sister, Anna, who I’m proud to say is now my best friend. As a kid, I always dreamed of becoming an award-winning, A-list Hollywood actress–though, now that I know more about Hollywood as an adult, I’m so grateful God saved me from that dream to be honest. I went to college at Penn State Berks for Elementary Education, and was honored to use my degree to teach everything from Preschool to 5th grade over the course of many years. I am currently putting my degree to good use by working as a part-time school librarian at Sacred Heart School in West Reading, PA.
You have many talents and accolades. It seems that your life took a dramatic turn in the last couple of years. Can you talk about the change and what you have been involved in?
I discovered modeling almost by accident in college, though I’d always longed to try modeling and pageantry as a teen. One evening during my sophomore year, I was wandering around campus all dressed up waiting for my then-boyfriend to pick me up for a date. A man walking by asked if I was the model a certain exhibition was waiting on, and it sparked something in me–I really, really wanted to try. Not long after, I found out about a fashion show that Penn State (the Main Campus) was putting on, and submitted my photos, thinking nothing would come of it…to my delight and surprise, they cast me in my first runway show, and the rest is history! I primarily focus on bridal modeling, but lately I’ve been doing more spokesmodel work and modeling jewelry.
I would say the greatest dramatic turn that my life took, however, was motherhood. I gave birth to my daughter in 2018, and–after surviving a traumatic birthing experience–I found myself suffering from awful Postpartum Depression and Anxiety. That was what gave me the courage I needed to sign up for my first pageant–I want to help as many people as I can with the time I’m given on this earth, and I felt that if other women who were struggling like I was could see a woman fighting through it and getting up on a stage and speaking honestly about her struggles, it could be life-changing. I also wanted my young daughter to see that I could and would be strong, and that she was being raised by a woman who fought for her own dreams, even as a mom–because that is what I want for her. I want her to believe she can do and be anything she wants to be, and I hope to lead by example. I currently an honored to hold the title of Mrs. East Coast, and my platform is ‘Let’s Talk about Tokophobia’. Tokophobia, which I suffer from, is a form of extreme fear of pregnancy and childbirth, and it is my life’s mission to help women who suffer from it to feel less alone, to educate the public about this little-known and often misunderstood phobia, and to end the stigma surrounding this issue.
Can you talk about the Pennsylvania Princess Project? What is it and how did it get started?
When Frozen first came out in 2013, a parent at the school I was working at mentioned how much her family thought I looked like Elsa. That led to me posing as the Ice Queen for a kid’s photoshoot the next year, and when I saw how much joy that brought to the kiddos…wow. It was just amazing and inspired me to do even more. In 2015, a group of friends and I started dressing up in character and visiting hospitals, parties, and other events as a ministry (we never charged a certain fee; often we did appearances for free and if we did accept money, we let people set their own prices). It was such an incredible experience, and as the years went by it became a way that I was able to bless small businesses through appearances.
Tell us about the short stories you have written. I understand you had a self-published historical fiction novel come out in 2015. You were also working on a psychological thriller, Fear of Man. Can you tell us about these writing projects and give us any updates?
“I LOVE writing and always have! Over the last ten years, I’ve written everything from novels to magazine articles to local news as a freelance journalist, and it has been an amazing journey. I am hoping to have my debut psychological thriller, Fear of Man, published by the summer so it can (hopefully) be the next great beach read of 2025.
How has your journey developed your self-confidence and self-esteem? What keeps you motivated and focused?
I think what keeps me most motivated and focused is my daughter–I want her to see me reaching for the stars as a mom, so she knows she can do the same, and that motherhood isn’t the end of ‘self’, as it were. It’s been so special to share all of my experiences with her. I’d say that confidence and self-esteem grows in many ways as you get older, and as you surround yourself with those who are your biggest cheerleaders no matter what you are going through–for me, this is my husband and partner of 17 years. I couldn’t do any of the amazing things I’ve been able to do in my career without his steadfast support and encouragement.
Do you have anything extra to add? Any advice to give?
I’d say my biggest advice is this–don’t ever think it’s ‘too late’ to follow a dream; there’s no expiration date on a dream. I’ve reinvented myself more in this decade than I ever did in a previous one, and some of the most successful people in this world never even started their journeys until later in life. Also, don’t compare yourself or your life to others, which is absolutely easier said than done. I always like to say “don’t compare your behind-the-scenes footage to everyone else’s highlight reels” because, honestly, that’s what we do. It’s so easy to look around and think everyone is just crushing it while we are failing miserably, but we have to remember that we only see what people want us to see; the image that they project to the world. My biggest advice is this, though–we are only given a short amount of time here on earth. Let’s try to use it to help and bless as many people as we can, with all the gifts God has given us. When we die, our entire life story is reduced to a little dash that connects two dates. Let’s use every minute; every breath, to make that dash count into eternity.