Miss Universe hopefuls come out to play

19th April 2007, 14:15 WST

Fuelled by Red Bull and fine weather, WA's nine Miss Universe Australia finalists joined their interstate counterparts to soak up the sun on the Swan River this afternoon in preparation for tomorrow's national title.

Event coordinator Grant Good said the 28 national finalists vying for the sash and crown have spent a hectic 24 hours in Perth, and most had known for less than a week that they would be competing.

VIDEO: Miss Universe hopefuls come out to play. Click here

PICTURE GALLERY: Miss Universe Australia Finals. Click here

"Usually we have a week of preparation time but it has been much more intense this year."

It showed. During interviews, all nine of the WA contestants expressed their disbelief the end for most of them was so near.

Perth contestant Jilian Hawley, 19, said her entry into the competition had been last minute - and she had just four days to prepare.

"It's been such a whirlwind, trying to think of what they will be asking, and what I'll need to wear," she said.

Many of the nine WA girls will be wearing local designers in the evening gown section, with Ruth Tarvydas, Celestial Tenielle and Pierucci among the names of designers whose clothes will grace the catwalk at tomorrow's showdown at Burswood Entertainment Complex.

Only one of the 28 competitors will be whisked away to Mexico City to vie for the crown that made Jennifer Hawkins a household name.

The Miss Universe competition flailed in the late 90s until Miss Hawkins took the crown and was catapulted into the Australian A-list.

Interior decoration student Tahlia Goodrick, 18, said entering the Miss Universe competition had never been something she considered as a career opportunity until she was nominated.

"It sounded like a good challenge so I thought I'd just give it a shot. It's also been quite nerve-wracking and I've been studying up on current affairs," she said.

The youngest woman in the competition is Georgia Kay, who at just 18 barely qualifies for the 18-27 age limit.

"I just found out I'm also the only one with no modelling experience, but I just keep telling myself it's just about fun," she said.

Miss Kay, who will begin a double degree in visual arts at Monash University in Melbourne, is likely to win fans with a down-to-earth-attitude that could rival the likes of Hawkins herself.

PETA RULE

Source

---

TKPN
PageantCast Home
Frappr Map
Podcast Pickle Page
Our Feed
One Click Subscribe in Juice
One Click Subscribe in iTunes