Rachael Finch - Global darling and Australia's pride

“I don’t know why we’re even here, that Rachael girl is going to win”.

Famous last words from an obviously intimidated competitor at the Miss Universe Australia 2009 Finals. This was a popular sentiment among the girls that year. As the competition heated up, Rachael’s name was being mentioned in nervous whispers amongst the girls. The real competition was for the position of first runner up.

When Rachael Finch decided to come back a second time for the title, she came back a force to be reckoned with.

She was a hot favourite to win the crown in the Miss Universe 2009 pageant and for the first time in six years, the nation believed that the crown will once again be on the head of an Australian.

While it was not meant to be, Rachael made her mark regardless and is now considered one of the all time favourite Miss Universe Australias of all time.

Rachael Finch is not your typical pageant girl. While she speaks with confidence and with authority and the media exposure has given her that air of celebrity which could reduce a fan to tears, she has not lost that down to earth charm which helped her clinch the title.

Rachael is the kind of girl who makes you feel like a star. By that, I mean that when she talks to you, she talks to YOU – as if you and her are the only two people in the room and no one else is around. Yes, she is very polished but unlike many pageant girls who are groomed to the hilt and come across as mechanic, Rachael comes across as genuine and sincere. When I told her I would be writing about her for Critical Beauty her eyes lit up and said “my MOTHER LOVES YOU GUYS!!!”

More often than not she is the first to say hello to you and is incredibly accommodating. Running into her after the Kooey fashion show at Rosemount Australian Fashion Week, I reminded her about the interview questions I sent her a week before and that I was on deadline. She promised me that she would have it over to me in 36 hours.

She kept her promise.

What a class act.

As the count down begins to her finals days as Miss Universe Australia 2009, I wanted to give you a small insight into the person who is Rachael Finch.

Below is a transcript of my interview with her.

1) Rachael, you were considered to be one of the girls to watch out for in 2009. What kind of preparation did you have to go through to prepare you for the competition?
To prepare for the competition I tried to do as much as I could to get me feeling at my best. That means creating a healthy balance of nutritious food, exercise, relaxation, family time and study of current affairs. These are important aspects to my everyday life that I enjoy!

2) You competed in Miss Australia Universe twice. You must have really wanted to win the title! Congratulations and thank you for persevering. What motivated you to compete the second time?
I really wanted the chance to represent my country on the international stage and become a voice in Australia to make a positive impact. I believe the Miss Universe pageant is much more than a competition for beautiful women – it’s a platform for growth on physical, intellectual and spiritual levels.

3) Why do you think it worked out for you the second time around? What did you do differently?
I went away from the competition in 2008 and focused on the areas that I could have improved on. I asked myself a set of questions. What did I want from life? What did being Miss Universe Australia mean? I believe adapting the right mindset is important as a contestant in Miss Universe – or any competition for that matter. Once you truly believe you can, anything is possible.

4) How has competing for Miss Universe changed things for you?
I have been fortunate in being presented with opportunities on personal and professional levels. I have traveled the world and met people with incredible stories and had the chance to work with young Australians and share my experiences. I have also been able to explore work in the television industry.

5) What was the most rewarding thing when you competed internationally? What was your biggest challenge?
The most rewarding feeling was seeing my family wave the Australian flag in the crowd as I stood in the Top 5 line-up. I will never forget that. My greatest challenge was trying to be everywhere at once in the Bahamas so I didn’t miss out on any of the experiences!


6) What are your thoughts on Stefania Fernandes? To be honest, none of us expected a back to back win.
Stephania is a beautiful woman and although I didn’t get the chance to know her that well I believe she deserved the title and I’m sure she has done a wonderful job in the role.

7) What will Rachael Finch be doing when you relinquish your crown in June? Who is Rachael Finch when she hands over the Miss Australia Universe title?
I’ll be spending time with my family and taking the time to celebrate a great year. I would love to work closely with the new Miss Universe Australia and prepare her for the experience she is about to have. Rachael Finch wants to wake up each day enjoying what she does for work. I believe that is the key to success. My passions are food, travel, health & nutrition, sport and fashion. Working in any of these areas would be ideal!

Note: As I write this article Rachael is busy rehearsing for the 2010 season of Dancing With The Stars set to air in the next two weeks.

8) Any advise for the lucky girl? What does she need to do to do well?
Be yourself and smile! A person’s eyes tell the honest story – when you’re happy on the inside it will certainly show on the outer.

9) Do you keep in touch with any of the girls you competed with?
Sure do! Miss USA – we roomed together while in the Bahamas and never stopped laughing.

10) Do you have any idea of the impact you have made in the pageant community?
It’s overwhelming to think about the impact I have had in the pageant community. I loved every second of my experience at the Miss Universe competition and would go back in a heartbeat.

11) Any messages you want to pass on to our readers? What shall we watch out for?
To believe in your own dreams and do what makes you happy. If you have the confidence within yourself you can accomplish anything. Don’t let go of hope – it gives you the strength to keep going when you feel like giving up. Remember we only get one shot at life, just do it!

Good luck Rachael!

All photos courtesy of Kevin Lue Photography and Miss Universe Australia

Deborah Miller - leading the world's newest beauty powerhouse!

As Australia bulldozes its way up the hallowed ladder of beauty powerhouses the world is starting to take notice.

Australians are making their mark in the beauty field, dominating Victoria’s Secret Parades (of late Miranda Kerr, Abbey Lee Kershaw, Sarah Stephens, Jessica Hart and Elyse Taylor) and taking on the challenge on runways all over the world. New looks and beauties are being discovered and celebrated, boundaries are broken and for the first time ever, we may have possibly found Australia’s first ever Indigenous supermodel, Samantha Harris.

It’s a great time to be an Australian.

While Australia has been heavily involved in the Miss Universe pageant scene for decades, compared to its contemporaries the scene here is quite young thanks to the laid back attitude that we are famous for.

Thanks to Jennifer Hawkins who single handedly reignited the flame of interest for pageants in Australia commercially, there has been a surge of interest among young women wanting to be the “next-cheer-leader-who- did-good”.

For the first time in decades, the Miss Universe Australia (MUA) pageant is experiencing a revival, and it is at this transitional time that the organization is in need of a good captain to steer the ship through waters of rediscovery.

I recently caught up with Deborah Miller, National Director for the Miss Universe Australia (MUA) organization at the NSW finals. Looking very pretty in pink with a playful air she cheekily tells our photographer “Can you tell I’m channeling Ivana!”

Warm, with a touch of childish enthusiasm Deborah has been key in shaping the new face of MUA and since taking on the difficult job of National Director, has achieved an impressive portfolio of achievements with top placements in the Miss Universe competition in the last two years.

Below is a transcript of our interview.

1) Tell me about your background - Who is Deborah Miller?
I am originally from the UK and my background is in drama, music, and marketing. I started my own model agency, Cosmpolitan Model Management when I was 22, and became a progressive talent scout. My agency is based in Melbourne Australia.


2) How did the role of director find its way to you?
I assisted the previous National Director with the Miss Universe Australia for ten years. I asked him if I could stage the first state preliminary events for Australia and I successfully coordinated these events for several years. When Jim Davie the previous National Director retired, it was a natural progression for me to apply for the position.

3) What challenges did you face in the beginning and what have you learned from these?
I basically had to build the pageant in Australia very quickly and that was very challenging! I was lucky to have support from the Australian media as well as our sponsors. The Miss Universe Organization especially Annette Cammer, the director of International licensing, has been so kind and supportive, and very encouraging.

4) Tell me about the 2010 girls. How do they rate compared to Rachael's batch?
This is an interesting question! I would say a little bit more polished with out losing that Aussie relaxed unique way.

5) What do you look for in a Miss Australia Universe contestant?
Firstly it’s imperative that she has the capacity, drive, and qualities to compete at the international pageant. She also has to have potential to be a great Australian ambassador, and role model. She is a representative of Australian young women, and needs to be aware that this comes with a level of responsibility. The delegate has the opportunity to promote Australia positively to the international world and needs to be able leverage the opportunity. Mostly she also needs to have the energy, grace, and humanitarian qualities that the Miss Universe role demands.

6) The Miss Australia Universe foundation was at its strongest before 1993. It seems to have lost its way until you came along. Can you comment on this?
I believe that the pageant has grown quickly over the last two years, because of the vast media coverage achieved by staging numerous preliminary events, and registration days/ casting call days. The more events, the more contestants, the higher chance of finding a great candidate. In the two years, in this role, I have had a top ten and top 5 contestants. I think it’s also important to have passion drive and vision, and develop a work culture that reflects this.

7) What kind of training do you implement for the winner to compete internationally? What is your support network and who does what?
I think what makes the Australia girls stand out is that they are not overly trained, which is quite refreshing. There is support from, media, sport, and fashion advisors. I think they should firstly be true themselves and not be something that they are not as it will come across as insincere, and false.

8) In what direction do you think the Miss Australia Universe will be heading? What should we be watching out for?
Prelimary pageants growing bigger through regional Australia, which will give all young women opportunity to be part of the pageant. More events and fundraising opportunities for the charities that Miss Universe Australia supports and increase in the non for profit organizations we will work with as well. An increase in great career success for all the Australian delegates is also something we are strive for.

9) Of all the girls who have won under your leadership who stands out the most?
They are all special in their own way and inspirational young women.

10) What do you want to say to any aspiring candidates thinking of joining the pageant next year?
You really must be focused, and want this 100%. It’s an amazing journey and so rewarding.

The Miss Universe Australia Final will be held at The Sofitel Wentworth, Sydney on June 17. For more information, please go to http://www.missuniverseaustralia.com.au/

Best of luck and to Deborah Miller and Paris Ogden for their openness and generosity!

All images courtesy of Kevin Lue Photography.