RACHEL PIZZOLATO (MISS CHAARMZ): A WORLD-CLASS VICTORY AT THE SWIMSUIT USA INTL. WORLD FINALS.
- Chaarmz Magazine
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
A Live-from-the-event memoir
by Kal Ata Khan; Cancun, Mexico
There are moments in life when everything slows down — not because time becomes generous, but because meaning forces you to pay attention. My moment came in the warm glow of a Cancun morning, standing on a balcony with the ocean humming below, replaying the whirlwind that had brought us there.
But this journey didn’t begin in Mexico.
It started months earlier — back in Toronto, Canada.
We, at Chaarmz Magazine, started exploring the possibility of sending a representative to the Swimsuit USA International World Finals. And immediately, instinctively, a name surfaced — someone I already knew, someone whose presence I had not forgotten since the day we did a photoshoot together in Malibu.
Rachel Pizzolatto.
THE INCEPTION OF AN IDEA:
I always say Chaarmz is more than a magazine — it’s instinct, intuition, and timing. My team and I sat around a table, determined, flipping through a list of ten potential models. Ten became five, five became three, and then all roads pointed back to Rachel. Not because of the numbers — though 2.5 million followers can brighten any boardroom — but because she was the one whose energy aligned with our vision.
She was the one person I could picture stepping onto a world stage carrying not just beauty, but presence.
Our decision was unanimous.
And that’s when the next chapter waited for us — all the way in Cancun, Mexico.
THE SELECTION PROCESS:
Selecting Rachel wasn’t a formality. It was a process of understanding her communication, her consistency, her worldview. I went through her content again — not as a magazine publisher, but as someone looking for authenticity. And she delivered. Every time.
The final selection meeting was oddly calm. Maybe because deep down, we already knew. We wanted someone who reflected Chaarmz — elegance, ambition, positivity that doesn’t need a microphone, and most importantly, someone who can listen and follow our lead for collaborative brand promotion. Rachel was all that.
When we informed her, she didn’t scream, she didn’t perform, she didn’t dramatize.
She simply said, “Let’s do this.”
And that told me everything.
THE MIAMI PHOTOSHOOT:
Before we set our sights on Mexico, there was a pivotal moment in Miami. I called Rachel to ask if she’d be attending Miami Swim Week in July. When she said yes, I rearranged my travel schedule immediately. We had already chosen her as Miss Chaarmz International, and I knew we needed a cover photoshoot with her.
Miami Swim Week was a whirlwind. Rachel was one of the most in-demand models there, walking in 35 of the 60 shows. Finding time for a photoshoot was a challenge, but Rachel’s professionalism shone through. We managed to squeeze it into a 20-25 minute window, and she was absolutely accommodating.
A quirky twist: Swimsuit USA had sent us their sash, but we didn’t have the Miss Chaarmz International sash. At a Miami event, I ran into a designer friend who helped us out. With a bit of last-minute creativity, an artist painted “Miss Chaarmz International” on the back of the Swimsuit USA sash. It was a unique moment that showed Rachel’s adaptability and her commitment to the Chaarmz initiative. Even in the midst of her busy schedule, she made it happen with grace.
THE JOURNEY TO MEXICO:
By the time Mexico rolled around—months after our cover photoshoot for Miss Chaarmz in Miami—everything felt aligned in a way I couldn’t have predicted back then.
Our attention, energy, and momentum were now focused entirely on preparing Rachel for the world finals. And that shift… that unexpected redirection… was exactly what led us to one of the most meaningful victories in the history of Chaarmz.
If life has taught me anything, it’s that the biggest victories never happen alone. And in this case, the universe sent us a quiet hero: my cousin, Pervez.
While we were scrambling to confirm Rachel’s boarding and lodging, working through Swimsuit USA’s arrangements and tight timelines, Pervez called me out of the blue. One minute I was discussing check-in details, the next I was hearing: “Let me help.”
And he did—fully, generously, without a hint of wanting recognition. To this day, Rachel doesn’t know he co-sponsored her stay. No one knew. He kept it private, humble, and silent. In a world obsessed with credit, he wanted none. But without him, this win might not have happened.
When Rachel arrived in Mexico, she stepped into the resort—a whirlwind of models, photographers, spray tans, and last-minute adjustments—with her usual calm confidence. She stayed in close contact with me, never once showing stress, always ready to adapt.
We had planned content to shoot in Mexico, but Rachel was suddenly in demand—photographers everywhere wanted her. That’s when I told her, “You don’t need to worry about creating our content. Let them shoot. We’ll share.” She agreed immediately. No ego. No resistance. That’s Rachel.
THE COMPETITION:
Sixty-six girls from all over the world. A sea of sequins, confidence, nerves, and ambition. Europe. North America. South America. Islands. Cities. Cultures. Swimsuit models, all stylish, stunning and winners from their respective countries, cities and brands. Evening gowns that sparkled under tropical lights.
And then there was Rachel—six feet tall, athletic from years on the trampoline (yes, she’s a trampolina), built like she was sculpted for the runway, and bursting with quiet magnetism.
There were swimsuit rounds—several. There was an evening gown round—breathtaking. There was a group dance—energetic and electric. There were interviews—precise, thoughtful, impactful. Rachel didn’t just perform—she elevated the room.
And yet, with every rise comes shadows. There were whispers, insecurities, competitive energy. A little negativity floating around—not about her, but around her. The usual politics. The usual murmurs.
I made a conscious choice: I did not hover. I did not push. I did not pile pressure on her shoulders. Instead, every time she checked in, I said, “Enjoy the process. The rest will follow.”
Her roommate, Sheree Hartt, was an angel in human form—supportive, uplifting, calm. Sherie was one of our Chaarmz talents from previous years, selected for the calendar, and she brought a positivity that wrapped around Rachel like armor. We also met Anastasiya—Miss Swimsuit USA from New York—poised, gracious, elegant. Their trio created a buffer against the intensity around them.
VICTORY & REFLECTION:
When the Top 5 were announced, I was holding my breath. When they began calling out the 5th, 4th, 3rd, and 2nd places—and Rachel wasn’t named—my heart started racing.
Then the moment. The host, Michael Sartain, scanned the crowd. “Who do you think is the winner of Swimsuit USA International?” People started pointing—at her. At Rachel. The same audience that wasn’t “hers”—most were cheering for friends, daughters, cousins—was now calling her name. I was stunned.
And then—“Representing Chaarmz Magazine… Rachel Pizzolatto!” I screamed. She pointed at me from the stage. The world went technicolor.
Later that night, between the cocktails, the hugs, the photos with the crown, I was still in awe. And at 5 a.m. the next morning—while most winners would be asleep—she met me for our Chaarmz cover shoot. In the dark. Barely any sleep. Already booked for another official shoot. She still showed up. Smiling. Ready. Professional. And the photos? Stunning.
Those qualities—humility, presence, adaptability, and grace—are rare. You don’t teach that. You just witness it.
This victory wasn’t hers alone. It wasn’t mine alone. It wasn’t even Chaarmz alone. It was a team victory: Rachel, Sherie, Anastasia, the photographers, Swimsuit USA, my team—and yes, my cousin Pervez.
In the end, this wasn’t just about winning a title or gracing a stage. It was about seeing a dream come to life in the most unexpected way. It was about watching Rachel stand under those bright lights, not just as a representative of Chaarmz, but as a symbol of resilience, of grace, of the belief that sometimes the best journeys are the ones we never planned. And as I stood there in Cancun, watching her hold that crown, I knew that this victory was more than just a moment. It was a testament to the power of trust, teamwork, and the beauty of believing in the magic of the right people coming together. In that moment, it was impossible not to feel a swell of gratitude, a tear of pride, and a heart full of the kind of joy that only comes when you know you’ve witnessed something truly special.
Thank you,
Kal Ata khan
Chaarmz Magazine
Contact the Publisher @chaarmzmagazine:
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