Starring: SALLIE TOUSSAINT

With her naturally alluring presence, Caribbean sense of humor, and New England charm, Sallie Toussaint gets the vote on several websites as one of the most exotic divas in the fashion world! Born in the US to Trinidadian parents, Sallie studied Journalism at the University of Connecticut on full scholarship. But, much to the dismay of her father, she was encouraged by some of her college friends to earn some extra cash by modeling.

This ‘hobby’ as it turned out would lead her into US beauty pageant life, winning the Miss Connecticut title, the Miss USA title in 1997, and the Queen of the Americas honor at the Miss World pageant in which she emerged a semifinalist. Since then, Sallie has appeared in high profile ad campaigns and has been the face of Colgate, Reebok, Coogie by Fubu, Verizon, and Bacardi Flavors.

In 2006, after hundreds of different actresses were screened for the film The Departed as one of the girlfriends of mobster Frank Costello, Sallie finally got the call. “I went on three auditions with casting agents,” she said, “and finally got the call in the middle of the night telling me it was between me and another girl.” After meeting with Martin Scorsese and Jack Nicholson themselves, Sallie got the part and a copy of her scenes. Along with The Departed, Sallie has been featured in other small but memorable roles including a part in the HBO TV show The Sopranos, and Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues on Broadway. She has most recently crossed over into the world of music and the video for her first release Uncomplicated is directed by the famous Lamont “Liquid” Burrell and will be released in Europe in early 2008! But, the best of her achievements remains unsaid.

Sallie, together with her father, built Jacob House—an orphanage in Trinidad—funded by her modeling and acting earnings. So fervently does she believe in this cause that she adopted her own child from Jacob House. Sallie is often described as a ‘force of nature’ giving way to the question: “Can a beauty pageant winner become a saint?”

Belle: Sallie, when propelled you to enter the world of pageants, modeling, and acting?

Sallie: The funny thing is that I was never really interested in modeling and acting…it was more interested in me! Several people from different directions persistently pushed me into the entertainment business; sometimes others see something in you that you don’t see in yourself. I wanted to go to university, and did go, and also had a white-collar career.

Belle: People often comment that most delegates in a beauty pageant look similar and say more or less the same thing. Have you ever felt like you had to be reinvented to fit a certain ideal to get ahead in pageants?

Sallie: Thank goodness I had amazing pageant directors! They were a gay male couple and didn’t at all stifle my essence of sass; they encouraged me to be myself and work with what I had. Thy taught me a lot about etiquette and things like that, but never tried to make me change. They encouraged fabulousity in women!

Belle: Was it your success in pageants that launched you into showbiz and high-profile modeling?

Sallie: The truth is that I had a wonderful agent who really believed in me and practically forced me into going for auditions. I had put back on my pre-pageant weight and was athletic again—and she thought that was fabulous. She kept pushing me and pushing me and then I booked The Departed and The Sopranos. I was actually picked by masculine men who appreciate a curvy, strong woman who eats and exercises to keep healthy.

Belle: Nowadays, young girls model themselves after actresses and models—some say that the media projects the stereotype that one needs to be skinny to have a good body and look beautiful. What’s your take?

Sallie: Unfortunately, I too was one of those ‘skinny’ girls. I had an athletic body at the start, but then starved myself to about 30 pounds lighter. I was miserable…but thin, and people responded and rewarded me for it. But my concept of ‘beautiful’ is different. I think that people lie when they say beauty is not physical. It definitely has to be a combination of physical pride, confidence, knowing one’s self-worth, and having outer kindness without being ashamed of it.

Belle: The last beauty pageant delegate we chatted with raved about her love of bread! Unfortunately, she couldn’t have it very often. Do you sometimes cheat and eat ‘bad’ stuff when no one’s watching?

Sallie: When no one’s watching? I don’t care what others think of me! I care what I think of me, and eat the same things in public as I do alone. We need to be more confident about ourselves so that we don’t have to hide what we eat…

Belle: Well said, Sallie! In your life, who or what shaped your values, aspirations, and ambitions?

Sallie: My father is the most amazing man in the world and I look up to him. He didn’t believe in me (as friends and pageant directors did) when I was living the pageant life. He really wanted me to be educated and secure…and I’m all of that now.

Belle: You traveled quite extensively, experiencing many different cultures, and that must have contributed to your unique outlook on things. What was the most important thing you learnt?

Sallie: That the world is made up of leaders and followers. I agree with my Dad when he said that the world will not change until there are more women leaders because women give birth and are typically not so eager to hurt others. Humans are humans, after all, and we have more in common than not. And, for our world to progress, racism must be eradicated.

Belle: Sallie, you and your Dad have done so much for children in Trinidad and Tobago by setting up and running Jacob House. How do you help these kids rebuild their confidence?

Sallie: The Jacob House Foundation is a fun, loving, and religious place where children can feel safe and happy. Rebuilding confidence must be a one-on-one thing because each child is so different—but encouraging a constant, everyday dream of a better life is always the best way to help anyone, child or adult. Everyday, we must wake up and make sure that we have a list of things to do that will keep us on the path of what our goals and dreams are. No matter how impossible it may seem, God has a plan for us all.
I’ve also helped people in the States rebuild themselves after traumatic experiences. It’s an interesting world, and we need to be alert about how we can help even in little ways. You’d be surprised, when you help someone, how very strong and confident you feel about yourself. It’s the best high ever!

Belle: What do you believe is the most important lesson that a child should remember?

Sallie: Be a leader not a follower - even if you have fewer friends. And, watch what you tell yourself. We can say the most horrible things to ourselves that we would never say to another. Practice saying nice things about yourself. Your best ally is your mind.

Belle: Sallie, what about yourself do you want to pass on to future generations?

Sallie: Females are taught differently from males, and sometimes we are taught to lose. That’s why I try to instill strength, independence, and leadership in girls, especially, so that they end up ahead of the game. Beauty fades, but ‘dumb’ is forever. Look in the mirror when you need some help…you’d be surprised how much you solve.

Belle: You do have a lot to offer to people - in so many different ways. What do you think is your true purpose in life?

Sallie: To add light to the world, something everyone should do.