Through gowns, glitz, and a growing love of fashion, Barrie’s Jacklynn Bowdery has turned pageantry into a masterclass in confidence, culture, and personal style.
When 21-year-old Jacklynn Bowdery steps onto a pageant stage, she brings more than sequins and sparkle, she brings self-assurance. “Pageantry really gives me courage and the confidence I need to live every day,” she says. “It’s taught me how to show up for myself and not just on stage, but in life.”
From her Filipino roots to the international runway, Bowdery is part of a new wave of titleholders transforming how the world sees beauty. For her, the crown is less about competition and more about connection. As beauty standards continue to evolve, young women like Bowdery are redefining what it means to be a “queen.” Through her titles, she’s turned a childhood dream into a mission: to empower others, celebrate culture, and make pageantry more sustainable. “The essence of pageantry,” she says, “is uplifting other women and girls to strive to be the best you can be.”
From a Family Dream to a Lifelong Passion
Bowdery grew up in a multicultural home where pageantry was woven into her family’s identity. “My mom’s Filipino, and in the Philippines, pageantry is at the heart of the culture,” she explains. “She never got to live that dream herself, so she put me and my sister through pageantry to help empower us and open up opportunities.” She entered her first pageant at 14 and quickly found her place. In Miss Teen Philippines Canada 2018, she placed first runner-up, an early success that reconnected her with her heritage. “That first pageant reconnected me with my roots,” she says. “It really ignited my love for pageantry.”
By 17, she had gone from small-town contestant to Miss Teenage Ontario 2021, a victory she describes as “a pivotal moment.” A few months later, she claimed the national Miss Teenage Canada title. “Meeting girls from all across the country was incredible,” she recalls. “We were all there for different reasons, but we shared one goal, to inspire the next generation.” Her international debut came soon after, when she represented Canada at Miss Teen Mundial 2022 in El Salvador, placing in the top 15 (the first time Canada had ever placed in that pageant).
“It was surreal representing my country and connecting with girls from around the world,” she says. “It reminded me that confidence is universal.” At 19, Bowdery became Miss Asia Canada 2023, the youngest contestant to win the title. Competing against women nearly a decade older was intimidating, she admits, but staying grounded made the difference. “I told myself, whatever happens, happens, I’ll do my best and show why I’m here.”
Finding Confidence in the Competition
While Bowdery is quick to acknowledge the glamour, she insists fashion in pageantry is deeply personal. “Besides the glitz and glam, it’s about individuality,” she says. “It’s about loving yourself because of who you are.” Pageantry, she explains, changed how she views style and self-expression. “I go to fashion and business school now, and it’s influenced how I dress, not in a bad way, but it’s made me more confident in taking risks,” she says. “I wore a suit for an interview once, and I’ve loved suits ever since. They make me feel powerful.”
★ “The empowerment of wearing feminine clothes and being comfortable in my own body really comes from pageantry,” she adds. Her sense of fashion has evolved with her confidence. “Being confident means being happy with who you are,” she says. “It’s about being comfortable enough to express that to the world.”
Sustainability and Style
In recent years, Bowdery has seen sustainability take center stage in the pageant world. “Sustainability has become such a huge topic,” she says. “A lot of girls are spreading awareness about how we can make a greener world for future generations.” For her, it’s more than talk, it’s practice. “I reuse and recycle a lot of my outfits. I donate or pass things down to other pageant girls. It’s about being mindful of what we buy and how we use it.”
Bowdery collaborates with Filipino designers for her competition looks, including Ontario-based label E.Kash, known for its intricate pageant gowns. “I love working with Filipino artists,” she says. “They understand the cultural meaning behind what I wear.” One of her most meaningful looks was a traditional Singkil costume she wore in a Miss Asia Canada photoshoot, a Filipino Muslim dance ensemble symbolizing wealth, prosperity, and good fortune. “It helped me feel grounded in who I am,” she says. “That costume connected me to my heritage in such a powerful way.”
The Next Chapter
Now preparing for Miss Global Canada 2025, Bowdery hopes to take everything she’s learned from confidence to cultural pride, to the next level. “It’s been two years since my last pageant,” she says. “I’m excited to get back on stage, connect with the audience, and show how much I’ve grown.” Through her personal project, I’m Always First, she advocates for youth empowerment and self-love. “Confidence looks different for everyone,” she says. “For me, it started with journaling. Every morning, I write three things I’m grateful for and three things I love about myself. Over time, you start to believe it.”
★ “You don’t need a crown to feel like a queen,” she says. “You just have to wake up every day and love what you see in the mirror.”
Beyond The Crown
For Bowdery, pageantry isn’t just a phase, it’s a foundation. “I might not compete forever, but the lessons, the confidence, and the fashion, that will always stay with me,” she says. “I’m excited to see how my style and my purpose keep evolving, even long after the spotlight fades."
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