When I sat down with she was still coming down off the high from having won the title. On July 27, the 34-year-old model, actress and activist became the first Indigenous woman to take home the crown. “It’s still so surreal,” she says, shaking her head in amazement.
“I’m still soaking it all in.” Callingbull is a vision before me: not only is she a physically striking woman but she’s sporting the Miss Universe Canada crown and wearing a beautiful geometric-patterned and multicoloured traditional Indigenous dress by designer The look was a gift and aptly named "the Ashley Dress." I comment on how dazzling she looks.
“Oh you know, I was just doing the dishes,” she quips and bursts out laughing. Jokes aside, she can wear the crown whenever she wants. She's earned it — and then some.
“It took so long just to have an Indigenous representative from Canada represent Canada. The First Peoples of this country have represented Canada at a Miss Universe pageant before,” she says. “I know there’s a lot of pressure and responsibility that comes with that but I’m so honoured and so proud.
” Aside from becoming the first Indigenous woman to win the title, Callingbull is the first woman above the age of 28 to take home the crown. In 2023, the Miss Universe organization for contestants to apply; the year prior, it altered its rules to to compete. “I’m glad the rules are finally changing because there shouldn’t be an age limit on when we should be able to a.