By: Jenny Castro
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 2/4/25
Photos: Willem Botha
Former Miss Universe Margaret Gardiner Talks New Book “Damaged Beauty: Joey Superstar” Releasing February 10th
Margaret Gardiner will soon release her novel “Damaged Beauty: Joey Superstar” on February 10th. Gardiner, a celebrity journalist and former fashion editor for the Golden Globes made history by becoming the first South African to win Miss Universe in 1978 at just 18 years old. The beauty queen also started modeling internationally as a teenager and was discovered by John Casablancas, founder of Elite Model Management. An accomplished writer and author of two health and beauty books, Gardiner takes a different tune with her debut novel. Readers will enjoy this thrilling story of an unlikely protagonist centered around Joey Brinkley. A struggling former top model who engages in questionable behavior as she navigates through crisis and challenges pertaining to her love life, mental health, modeling career, and friendships. Gardiner’s captivating storytelling will take readers to a place of glamour, scandal, and unexpected and shocking moments set in the 1980’s.
Giving us more insight, Gardiner explains some inspiration behind the novel, “I put it all together during Covid,” Gardiner said. Adding, “A friend of mine, a young woman was struggling with mental health issues, and because of my psych background I suggested that she reach out to a psychologist or speak to someone. And she was encouraged by her parents not to, and it just made me realize that there is still a stigma associated with mental health issues. Then several other people started talking to me and it all just came together, and there’s the surface story but underneath it there are really important issues especially for women. And having lived through the “Me Too” movement, I thought it was important to bring home some points for women and that it’s okay to say no and raise your voice, and that it’s important to create barriers. These are all things that nice girls aren’t encouraged to do so I planted the seeds throughout the book.”
Throughout the novel, Gardiner touches on a variety of relatable subjects such as infidelity, self-esteem, depression, aging, instability, competitiveness, and more. The flaws depicted in Joey make the storyline all the more authentic and identifiable leading to a sort of empathetic outlook for the reader despite the character’s misgivings. Adding to the depth of the novel’s authenticity is Gardiner’s background as she has a degree in psychology and spent a considerable amount of time working in the fashion industry as a model, pageant queen, and fashion editor.
Overall, Gardiner is looking forward to the reaction to her new book and hopes it will inspire others, “I think that readers are going to be challenged by the lead character,” she said. Adding, “She’s not your typical heroine. She may look good on the outside, but she does unexpected things. She is not your good girl and lives life in bright colors, and does exactly what she wants and lives life a little bit like a guy. When she sees something that she wants she takes it, and these are not the things that we are usually taught in society for women to do or how a woman should behave, but I don’t want you to be turned off by that. As you read, you discover what shaped her and what her motivations are, and you fall in love with her and begin to understand and root for her, and I’m hoping it will start conversations.”
For Gardiner herself, she has experienced the world through an international lens and left South Africa at 16 for Paris where she became a cover girl. Reflecting back on her beginnings, she credits her parents with instilling her with a strong work ethic as she explains further, “I grew up the youngest of three girls and my dad determined that we would know how to handle ourselves in the world, and I had a very strong mother,” Gardiner explains. Adding, “She was very tiny but she was powerful. So yes, she was very fierce and taught me that I didn’t have to succeed. So I never had to compromise myself for success. If I went out there and did my best and didn’t succeed, my home would still be there waiting for me. For me, it also gave me permission at a very young age to go into international modeling.” Recently, Gardiner was a judge at the Miss Universe pageant in Mexico, the country where she herself won the title in 1978.
Pertaining to her Miss Universe experience, Gardiner has nothing but lovely memories, “When you are Miss Universe, you are so protected. Everybody treats you with great respect. You have a chaperone, and everything’s organized for you. So nothing in this book has any of my Miss Universe experiences in it because that was pure, beautiful, and lovely, but I’ve worked as a model and journalist and I’ve seen all sides of fame and people think that if you are famous it protects you and it doesn’t. And I think that sometimes people want fame so badly they’ll do anything for it and get hurt in the process,” Gardiner explains. Although the novel is not based on Gardiner’s life story, it’s inspired by some experiences she witnessed throughout her life and career.
Her advice to other women out there? “Love yourself for who you are, and be happy with who you are. So, I think that at the end of the day, if you love yourself and you just go out there and be you, other people will love you too.”
“Damaged Beauty: Joey Superstar” will surely resonate with readers as the story speaks of persistence in the face of adversity while finding redemption through life’s struggles and uncertainties. The first of a book series, Gardiner plans on releasing other “Damaged Beauty” features in the future. Keep a look out for those in time.
Pre-order now on Amazon.com here.
Follow Margaret on Instagram here.
