Mom to compete for Miss North Carolina USA as Miss Universe ends age limit

HOLLY SPRINGS, N.C. (WNCN) — When you think of pageants, you might think of the traditional contestants with years of training.

However, this year’s winner of Miss Wake County USA, Erika Rawes, is unlike any of the others that came before her.

“I’m completely new to this, I’m just learning how to walk in heels,” Rawes said.

The 41-year-old mother of two from Holly Springs is breaking barriers, as the Miss Universe organization allows women older than 28 to compete for the first time ever.

“I bring a different type of person,” she explained. “Someone who is a middle-aged woman who has raised a family, someone who, although I have limitations, manages to work around those things.”

Rawes is celebrating a more-than-100-pound weight loss journey with her husband, a Purple Heart army veteran.

“She pushed me to get back into fitness and be healthy again, and it’s just been really awe inspiring to watch,” said Robert Rawes, Erika’s husband. “It’s a validation of all the hard work she’s put in.”

Rawes started sharing her weight loss journey on TikTok in July and has earned more than 22,300 followers.

“I want to show other mothers that even if you had a weight issue or something like that, you can do this,” she said.

Through her platform, Rawes also wants to spread awareness about autism after she was diagnosed.

“People with conditions like this can do more than people think,” she said.

Rawes will go on to compete in the Miss North Carolina USA pageant, which will be held in Charleston June 14 and 15.

She shared an important message as she prepares for the competition.

“I want to get up on that stage and show that no matter what you look like, no matter how much you weigh, whether you have children or not, and no matter how old you are, if you train hard, you can get up on that stage and compete and have a real shot,” she said.

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