Big plans and the start of an entertainment career surfaced after one Mississippi State student’s trip to Hawaii.
Kim Solomon, winner of Mississippi’s Miss Hawaiian Tropic’s most photogenic award, gained success with her trip to the international Miss Hawaiian Tropic contest in early October. She said she not only made plenty of connections in the entertainment industry but also made a lot of friends.
After spending a week on Hawaiian island Oahu, Solomon won the Miss Congeniality award. She was chosen among 95 contestants as the most spirited and friendly competitor. This entitled her to an $11,000 topaz necklace and a 14-karat gold trophy to remember her experience by.
“There was so much competition that I really didn’t expect to win anything. I just went to have a good time,” Solomon said. “But instead-in my opinion-I won the best prize.”
The MSU student and Miss Hawaiian Tropic model enjoyed a life of luxury while in Hawaii. Treated like a celebrity, she was constantly shuffled around in convertibles and limos.
“I felt so pampered. It was like being a star,” she said.
The experience has become the start of Solomon’s plans for stardom. Through the pageant, the hopeful Mississippi native had the opportunity to meet celebrities like Nick Carter of the Backstreet Boys, MTV’s VJ “Boogie,” and Lorenzo Lamas from “Are You Hot?”
Solomon said that upon meeting Carter, his mother Jane Carter took an interest in her talent. Solomon gave Carter’s mother and manager an impromptu singing performance. This led to an invitation for Solomon to work with Carter’s mother and vocal coach in L.A.
“I’d really love to move to L.A. and start my own singing career,” Solomon said. “And now that I have some leads I know it’s possible.”
To those who know Solomon on an everyday basis, this recent series of events comes as no surprise. Her personality and ambition seem to go hand in hand with what she has already accomplished.
Those who know Solomon say they’re proud of her Hawaii win, but not surprised.
“When Kim is at work, work is always better. She’s a great employee who keeps things fun and is always willing to help out,” co-worker Samantha Willcutt said. “I’m not surprised at all that this is happening for her.”
“To me Kim is just such a caring person. She goes out of her way to make sure everyone around her is OK,” co-worker Brian Heath said. “I feel like she’s really a team player with a good spirit and an energetic personality. I wish her all the luck in the world.”
Solomon has an optimistic view of the future. She plans to work closely with the Hawaiian Tropic organization wherever there is publicity work to be done. Photo shoots and appointments for modeling opportunities have already surfaced in the short time since her first Miss Hawaiian Tropic competition at Rick’s Caf Amricain.
“Some people might have thought that the bikini contests at Rick’s were small time, but you gotta start somewhere. I know now that I won’t ever let an opportunity pass me by, no matter how small it may seem at the time,” Solomon said.