My name is Monique Mijnals  I was born in South America but grew up in the Netherlands, I am a singer songwriter who writes her own songs,  I play the guitar, and I also paint. Besides that I work parttime at a gym and I have a wonderful son Julius.

Can you please introduce yourself? Where did you grow up and what do you do for a living?
My name is Monique Mijnals  I was born in South America but grew up in the Netherlands, I am a singer songwriter who writes her own songs,  I play the guitar, and I also paint. Besides that I work parttime at a gym and I have a wonderful son Julius.
 
Where people perceiving African hair as bad hair where you grew up and did you ever encounter negativities against nappy hair (kroeshaar) in your work environment?
I had negativities! people always think my hair is not real, because they asume that black ladys cant have, long and big hair but am the living proof. I have always been secure about my hair and always new my hair is special.
 
How long were you natural before you relaxed your hair? Was it your first time? If not, did you experience hair breakage when you had your hair straightened?
This is after years again I wanted to do something different with my hair, because of a fotoshoot for my own promotion as an artist you need different styles. Years ago I had a bad experience with a relaxer, my hair broke a little bit but I am furtuned that my hair grows real quick.
 
What made you enter the Miss NP competition?
Because I have beautiful hair.
 
Then comes this photo shoot. What was it for and what was the reason you needed to relax your hair for this shoot?
It was for my own promotion, I didnt had to, I wanted to do it myself. What I have said before I am furtuned with the
beautiful hair that I have, I realy take good care of it.
 
 
Do you think there is a stigma attached to nappy hair? Can you please elaborate?
Yes I do think there is a stigma, people asume that with black hair you cant do alot, but it is the opposite, that’s why I like
to change it. Sometimes people dont untherstand the way I wair my hair, that is because of the change I can do with it.
 
What do you think about the candidates you have seen in the video online and what would you like to say to them?
The candidades look wonderful with their beautiful black hair, what I like to say to hem!! keep the natural hair alive and take good care of it.