

Jessamy Amy Rommelse @j.amy_29

Miss Culture Netherlands @missculturenetherlands

Jessamy Amy Rommelse is much more than a beauty queen — she is the reflection of resilience, cultural awareness, elegance, and authenticity. Crowned Miss Culture Netherlands 2026, Jessamy proudly prepares to represent her country at Miss Culture International 2026 in Indonesia, carrying a powerful message of unity through diversity.
Growing up in the multicultural Netherlands shaped her open-minded perspective and deep respect for traditions, identities, and human connection. For Jessamy, culture is not only about where we come from, but also about understanding others, embracing differences, and building bridges between people around the world.
Her pageant journey also became a personal transformation. After overcoming struggles with self-confidence and mental health during her teenage years, she learned to embrace her individuality and turn insecurities into strength. Today, she stands confidently as a woman determined to inspire others through honesty, authenticity, and self-love.
Passionate about fashion, cultural exchange, and meaningful connections, Jessamy represents a modern generation of beauty queens who lead with empathy, confidence, and purpose while proudly sharing the beauty of Dutch culture with the world.

1.- Jessamy, congratulations on your new title—what does becoming Miss Culture Netherlands 2026 mean to you at this moment in your life?
Becoming Miss Culture Netherlands 2026 means strength, perseverance, and personal growth to me. It represents a moment in my life where I can be proud of how far I have come.
2025 was a difficult year for me because of personal challenges, including my father’s illness and changing careers. In the past, I struggled a lot with my self-image and mental health, especially during my teenage years.
This title feels like a personal victory. It reminds me that I overcame those struggles and learned to embrace myself for who I am. Today, I stand here with confidence and pride, and that means everything to me.
2.- This crown celebrates culture and identity—how do you personally define “culture” in today’s global world?
For me, culture is something that defines both who you are and where you come from. It includes the traditions you continue, the values you grew up with, and the things that connect generations together.
At the same time, we live in a world filled with many different cultures, and every culture has something unique and beautiful to offer. This is something we should share with each other and embrace, learn from one another, and respect different beliefs and traditions.

3.- Representing the Netherlands on an international stage like Miss Culture International is powerful—what part of your country’s culture are you most excited to share?
When people think about the Netherlands, they often think about bicycles, windmills, stroopwafels, and herring. But Dutch culture is so much more than that.
One thing that really defines us is our directness and honesty. While it may sometimes surprise people from other cultures, it comes from openness and authenticity. I hope to share that down-to-earth mentality with others, together with the small traditions that make Dutch culture unique, like birthday circles, gezelligheid, and even something simple like hagelslag on bread.
4.- How do you plan to connect with people from different backgrounds during your journey to Indonesia?
Over the past few months, I have immersed myself in different cultures by speaking with people about their traditions and experiences, visiting museums, and attending cultural events like a pasar malam.
I have also started learning a little Indonesian, which I hope to use during my time in Indonesia. Most of all, I am genuinely curious about all the other contestants and I would love to get to know them better. Of course, I am also very interested in their cultures, traditions, and the stories they will bring with them.

5.- Every international pageant has its own essence—what do you believe will make you stand out in Miss Culture International 2026?
I believe my strength lies in growing up in a multicultural country like the Netherlands, where I have always been surrounded by many different cultures, traditions, and perspectives. Because of that, I learned from a young age how important it is to stay open-minded, respectful, and curious about others.
Over the past months, I have explored different cultures even more deeply by speaking with people, visiting cultural events, and learning about traditions and values outside of my own background. This made me realize how much connection and understanding can grow when people are willing to learn from one another.
I also believe my authenticity and personal journey will make me stand out. I entered pageantry without a large team behind me and achieved everything through my own determination and hard work. Through this journey, I have grown tremendously in confidence, self-acceptance, and strength, and I hope people will see the reel me on the podium.
6.- Cultural exchange is at the heart of this experience—what are you most curious or excited to learn from other countries?
I am most excited to learn how different cultures preserve their traditions and pass them on to future generations. Every country has its own values, customs, and way of life, and I think that is incredibly beautiful.
I especially love hearing personal stories behind traditions, because they often reveal what truly connects people within a culture. I believe cultural exchange is one of the most valuable experiences a person can have.

7.- How has your perspective on identity evolved since your previous experience in pageantry?
Since I started pageantry, my perspective on identity has changed a lot. In the past, I struggled with my self-image and confidence, especially during my teenage years. I also feel like I lost touch with my feminine side during that period, and pageantry has helped me reconnect with it in a beautiful and empowering way.
Pageantry helped me realize that your identity is not something you should hide, but something you should embrace. I learned that the qualities I once saw as weaknesses, like my height, strong personality, or being different from others, are actually part of what makes me unique.
Through this journey, I became more confident, more open, and more accepting of myself. Of course, there will always be that little voice of doubt, but I believe it is important to stay positive and turn your insecurities into strength. True beauty comes from within, from being yourself, accepting who you are, and recognizing how far you have come.
8.- In a world that is constantly changing, how do you stay connected to your roots while embracing new influences?
I stay connected to my roots by continuing the traditions I grew up with and by appreciating the small things that are part of Dutch culture and family life.
For example, every Friday my family eats nasi, a tradition my grandfather brought with him from Indonesia. We have been doing this for more than 20 years, and it has become such a normal and meaningful part of our family life.
We also continue to celebrate Dutch holidays, especially King’s Day, which is something I truly enjoy and would love to share with others.
At the same time, I believe you can stay true to yourself while still being open to learning from other cultures and embracing new influences. Food is a beautiful example of that. Besides traditional Dutch meals like stamppot or what we call AVG (potatoes, vegetables, and meat) we often enjoy different cuisines, such as pasta, noodles, and of course nasi.
For me, culture is not something fixed. It grows with us, through family, traditions, and the influences we welcome into our lives.

9.- What role does fashion play in expressing your cultural identity on stage?
Fashion is a very important form of self-expression for me. I have never really been the “typical girly girl,” and I like to express myself through bold fashion choices, whether that is leather, faux fur, glitter, or bright colors.
For this competition, I carefully selected outfits that reflect both my personality and elegance as a titleholder. I also subtly incorporated colors and inspirations connected to Dutch culture into my wardrobe. But exactly how I did that… I will keep as a surprise for the finale.
10.- How do you prepare mentally and emotionally for a competition that brings together so many unique stories from around the world?
Over the past few months, I have prepared myself in many different ways. Physically, I have been training a lot, both in the gym with strength training and cardio to get in shape, and through catwalk and speech training to give the best performance I can.
Mentally, I prepared by creating a clear plan of action. I included my goals, trainings, advocacy, outfit planning, and everything else I needed to arrange, so I could stay organized and not forget anything important.
My mental health has also been a big focus for me. Because I have struggled with this in the past, I know how important it is to take care of myself and create moments to recharge.
I also try to see this journey with gratitude. Going to Indonesia and representing the Netherlands is already a victory for me. If I were to win a title, that would be an even greater blessing.

11.- What message about unity and diversity would you love to share with a global audience?
It is important to stay proud of your own beliefs, traditions, and roots. They shape who you are and should never be forgotten.
At the same time, I believe cultural awareness starts with curiosity. By exploring and embracing different cultures, we can better understand each other and create more respect in an increasingly diverse world.
You do not have to live the same way as someone else to respect their culture. Understanding each other is already a powerful step toward unity.
12.- Looking ahead to Indonesia, what would it mean to you to bring home the Miss Culture International crown?
Winning the title of Miss Culture International would be an incredible honor. It would also feel like a beautiful validation of the hard work, dedication, and growth I have put into this journey.
I entered this competition without a full team or national director behind me. Everything I have done has come from my own initiative, willpower, and determination. That makes this journey even more meaningful to me.
In the Netherlands alone, more than 23% of the population has a migration background. Unfortunately, this sometimes creates misunderstanding and tension between different cultures.
If I were to win the title of Miss Culture International, I would use my platform to encourage more understanding, respect, and connection between different communities. I want to show people that cultural differences should not divide us, but instead bring us closer together.
For me, winning would not only be a personal achievement, but also an opportunity to make a positive impact on a larger scale.

Interview conducted by Jaime Mybs with Jessamy Amy Rommelse – Netherlands
English language
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