Miss New York: I’m a former ballerina, Elite model and child sex abuse survivor

nypost.com:

Elite Model Management NYC.However, she soon discovered that her true calling, pageant life, combined all her passions.“Pageantry for me is a mix of everything I love to do – being onstage, dancing, a mix of modeling, photo shoots and speaking with others.

It’s literally all my passions in one,” the Nashville native, who has called NYC home for the past 12 years, told The Post.Perhaps most importantly, the pageant world gave her a platform to share her story of survival.After surviving a sexual assault at age 4, di Stasio — who works with the nonprofit Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, also known as RAINN — is determined to help other victims.“[I’m] ready for my voice to be heard, my story to be shared and be part of something beautiful,” she told The Post ahead of the Miss New York 2021 pageant. “I’ve been able to use my voice and strength to get me where I am today, and want to let other women know that their past doesn’t affect their self-worth or who they are.”Part of her platform is to help other victims, so sharing her own story publicly during her first pageant was “a big part of my healing.”“It was a new level of awakening of my self-worth,” she told The Post after taking home her Miss New York crown.“I love New York more than anything — it’s my home.

Every time I see the skyline after coming back on a flight, I get emotional and I get goosebumps,” the Manhattanite added. “I feel the energy of New York and the love.

New York is my whole heart.”For her third try at the tiara, the competitor honed in on her uniqueness in standing out among the pack.“This year, for me, I truly embraced who I am.”Di Stasio credits her mom, who taught her “perseverance and strength and overcoming challenges,” for giving her an.