Miss New York: I’m a former ballerina, Elite model and child sex abuse survivor
This former ballerina traded tutus for tiaras — but first she had to overcome a brutal childhood trauma.
Rachelle di Stasio — the newly crowned Miss New York USA — is heading to Reno, Nevada, next month to compete for the Miss USA 2023 title after defeating 184 contestants Sunday at her state pageant.
Draped in a custom gold Jovani couture gown that took nearly four months to complete, the former bunhead won over the judges at the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College by being her “authentic self.”
The 26-year-old, who was accepted into the prestigious American Ballet Theatre School as a teen, transitioned to modeling after a first-degree sprain on her right foot. It was a difficult decision, but saying bye-bye to ballet catapulted her catwalk career, leading to being repped by Wilhelmina and now 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 edge over the competition.
“It’s not letting past challenges that define you,” said di Stasio. “I believe that my story brings hope for other people — it’s not just about me anymore. It’s about sharing and being vulnerable, so people don’t feel alone.”
She believes her “authenticity” has helped her shine in a very crowded field. “That’s what makes me stand out as a competitor. I have such a passion for helping other people.”
“Everyone who’s competing wants the crown — everyone wants the gold medal,” she said, noting, “I believed I had the potential to win,” with a combination of her “confidence and self-assurance.”
Even though New York-based beauty queen wannabes are known to carpetbag in other states, because of the stiff competition within the Empire State, di Stasio would never dream about abandoning her adopted home.
“New York is considered the toughest state to win — the hardest and biggest. People have gone and tried to win in less-competitive states,” said the beauty queen, defiantly adding, “I wasn’t backing down. New York is my home, and I want to be the one to represent this state. New York is me and who I am.”
With only seven weeks until the Miss USA pageant, di Stasio isn’t letting the grass grow under her feet.
With only four hours of sleep after her triumphant win, she woke up Monday morning ready to start a three-day boot camp, which covers, among other things, “walking techniques.”
“I’m still in the pageant mindset — it gives me an edge,” she said. “I’m in the zone. I like that I don’t have a break. I thrive under pressure. I like being busy, hustling and being proactive. My motto is, ‘Stay ready so you never have to get ready.’ ”
The newly crowned Miss New York, draped in her sash and clutching a bouquet of bursting red roses, was awash in love among her 109,000 Instagram followers: “I knew… that she was destined for the crown,” gushed one.
For now, the single, “natural-born competitor” is going for gold — or at least a rhinestone crown — come September.
”I’m going all in. All or nothing,” she said. “I’m going to let my fire and light shine.”
