Miss Universe Australia National Finals 2011

My Miss Universe Australia journey still feels in motion as I am still involved with several sponsors of the MUA pageant.  The competition was a once in a life time opportunity and one I will never forget. 

The people I met along the way were amazing and a lot of the girls work so incredibly hard towards this competition. In the end, the winner of MUA 2011 was Perth girl, Scherri-Lee Biggs.  Scherri dids us proud in the MU event in Brazil in September.  She came within the Top 10 of the Miss Universe competition.

I started writing a blog just after the event but I forgot to make it live, so here it is...

A diary entry from Monday 15th July 2011:

 

It has been 11 nights (tuesday) since I carried and dragged my five bags of luggage out of the Sydney airport on that dark winters Friday evening.  I had returned home from a week in Melbourne (Mon 4th - 7th july) competing for the diamond and pearl crown of the Miss Universe Australia contest.  It was here that truly determined the person I am and gave me the knowledge of the type of person I do and dont want to be.  It was a great self-journey.

The lead up to the National Finals was oh so stressful with working fulltime at Network Ten as an Online Producer for ONE HD whilst also studying fulltime as a Communications university student majoring in Journalism. Oh and don't forget to throw a few medical appointments in to the mix as well. 

I also gained a housemate, which meant my spare room which acted as a large walk-in wardrobe became crammed into my bedroom.  This was the moment I realised I either had a girls dream wardrobe or I was just an excellent horder.

Two diaries became permanent accessories that lived in my handbag.  Inside both was a long list of things to buy and do: Buy evening gown, back-up gown, red cocktail dress, black cocktail dress, jewellery, accessories, shoes, high heels, flats, dark jeans, denim shorts, white shirt, stockings, hair curlers, hair extensions, eyelash extensions, spray tans, manicure, pedicure, swimwear, special shoes for each clothing item, gym sessions... and the list goes on.  What girls go through to become beauty queens is tough!  My hat goes off to those pageant-goers!  It really is hard work.

The weekend before take-off was testing.  The description of my runway walk was labelled "walking like a horse" which I found quite funny, actually ended in four hours of non-stop continuous catwalk coaching.  My coach was amazing and should have rocked the catwalk himself!  AMAZING coach!  The hard work could not only be seen in my onstage presence/performance but also on my feet.  Blisters cut down through two layers of skin, weeping... two on the right foot, three on the left.  Who said walking was easy?!

Our flights that had been booked for us were no longer flying, due to saftey, or lack of, resulting in Tiger airways cancellation of flights.

The night before take-off, my lifesaver of a mother came to the rescue with a needle and thread.  My evening gown which cost just as much to buy as it was to hem, (due to the hand beading and large amounts of it -expensive!) was in need of altering one last time.  A last mini dress rehearsal catwalk for family and friends had me excited to storm the catwalk!

5:45am... Monday morning 4th of June I awake before my alarm sounds.  Dark outside, I excitedly get up, throw my hoody and trackies on for the last time for the rest of the week.  I check the surf conditions on my phone and it seems I won't be missing anything exciting...

The morning is spent running through a check list and literally sitting on my suitcase to somehow push down the 9 pairs of shoes I have packed for the four days.

I spent the following four days bonding with beauites from all over Australia.  Everyday was an early rise and shine, followed by a healthy and incredibly delicious breakfast over looking Melbourne and the ocean.  Next up was several hours of intense catwalk rehearsals, costume fittings, dress rehearsals etc.  A swimwear show was conducted throughout the week and was soooo much fun!  We had 3 outfits to model for the evening and the swimwear was spectacular!  Designed by Kooey Swimwear.

Five pairs of new shoes become additions to my already overweight luggage.  NOVO were the major sponsor.  We even had flashing red shoes for the final performance!  Yes flashing! The shoes had lights in them, all over the front of them flashed in sync.  What a show stopper.

The Grand final night was such a big day.  Little sleep, little time to eat... yet it went so fast.  Judges lined the end of the runway including Naomi Robson, Vince Colosimo and Marie Clare editor Jackie Frank. Red rose petals covered the tables and lined the runway.

Dress rehearsals took place and cameras were flashing. It was an intense day for my cheeks, from smiling so much!  The gorgeous Scherri-Lee Biggs from Perth took out the crown. 

Once the show was over and we all got to see our families, a bunch of us packed into two cabs and off we went on a venture to find the only food store that is open at midnight - MacDonalds!

                                                                MODELS DO EAT

Back to reality, 1st December 2011.  I sit at my computer and remonise on what a fantastic journey to have been given the opportunity to experience.  Looking back it was a fantastic week in Melbourne at Nationals.  I have made some truly genuine friends, great contacts and have a memory which will stay with me for my lifetime.

 Miss Universe Australia National Finalists 2011

Since the Miss Universe pageant, I can now be seen on Nude by Nature advertisements, Uggs Australia advertisemenst in the city of Sydney.  I was given the opportunity to co-host the Australian event of Miss Universe.  I have recently presented several of Nude by Nature's newest TV commercial's for a new product they are releasing called Luminail - Look out for this gorgeous product!  I have done several photoshoots and have become the face of Sydney FC TV.  I have judged a cover girl modelling competition, and modeled designer Mauricio Alpizar's beautiful dresses for a chairty Ladies Luncheon raising funds for the Sydney Children's Hospital.

                                                                      

                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Nude by Nature                                      A bit of fun on set!                               Nude By Nature TVC

look book shoot              

I have successfully completed my University degree in Communications, majoring in Journalism, and have been asked to present a documentary in January.  I'll keep you updated on that one!  I also have a few other things in the pipeline - so stay posted!!

Follow me on twitter or facebook under: MissAlissaSmith


Until next time,

Alissa
xx

May... Wow what a month!

If there's one thing this year has taught me, it's how to possess fantastic time management skills. From working full-time as an Online Producer for Network Ten's sports channel One HD to studying a Bachelor of Communications majoring in Journalism, time management has had to be quickly learnt.

Most recently I have thrown a competition in to the mix, Miss Universe Australia 2011. Often asked what made me enter this competition, I answer with "it was a personal choice." I'm not in it to compete with the other girls, I'm in it to achieve my goals, to have something to look forward to and mostly to have the opportunity to give inspiration and help to those less fortunate by fundraising.

My entry into this competition was a personal one. I had a severe car accident only two years ago and since then I have had to change my life dramatically. I was forced to change career paths and saw my fitness come to a halt when I was told I was no longer able to run or dance anymore. I was a Personal Trainer and a professional dancer in a crew performing around Sydney. With my two loves of my life suddenly crushed in front of me, I decided to go down the media path.

Struggling with memory loss, I found it hard to remember everyday activities but had a fantastic script memory. So I found myself returning to the Australian snow fields to work as the Snow Reporter for Channel Ten reporting live to the Early and Morning News. I was also reporting for Sports Tonight, SKY News, Prime, WIN and thredbo.com.au. This was where I realised I suddenly became one of the youngest females to ever report for live television.

With Miss Universe Australia Promoting positive body image and supporting several charities, I thought this would be the perfect opportunity to make a difference not only to my life but also to others. I was cleared to run and dance again, however it would take years to get back to level of athleticism I was once at. So with this competition having set deadlines it was the perfect reason to push myself back into the gym and back in the dance studio.

After applying for the pageant I soon found myself helping out at a fundraising event for the PCYC raising money for more equipment to help keep kids off the streets of Sydney. Dressed in convict black and white striped outfits, we all took turns locked in a cell set up in the middle of the city. In total, a fantastic $15k was raised in just a few hours! A great outcome.

Time flew by and I found myself standing in amongst 59 other beautiful girls at Sir Stamford hotel in Sydney at the Registration Day. After a quick interview with two lovely Judges and a quick walk across the room, I found myself in the top 25 Sydney girls.

The Sydney Preliminary Heat was only one week away. After organising my evening gown (which I had in closet for quite a long time after buying it from wardrobe on the Channel Seven All Saints set), swimwear and cocktail dress at the very last minute, I was selected into the Top 10 Sydney girls.

Sydney's Top Ten MUA Contenders 2011

The next round was the New South Wales State Finals. With the Wagga Wagga, Coffs Harbour and Sydney girls all coming together, it was time for some fun! Starting at 7:30 in the morning all of the girls took turns at making themselves beautified with hair, make-up and fittings. After rehearsals which were an absolute ball of fun, it was showtime! One by one we worked the floor, running in high heels to the top of a stair case, tearing off our high heels and racing down the stairs changing into the next outfit. Then it was back up the stairs, high heels back on, and scrambling to the event in a ladylike manner. Lining up in rows of two, the seven girls representing New South Wales were announced.

To my excitement my name was fifth to be called! Five other girls I had become close with throughout the competition had gotten through too. It was such a fantastic experience to share with some extraordinary girls. I now have to gather four new dresses, purchase new shoes and keep hitting the gym.

NSW State Finalists 2011

A special shout out to Sweaty Betty PR who organised a couple of amazingly stunning Rachel Gilbert gowns for me. Also to Network Ten's Stylist Melissa for organising a Designer Ruth Tarvydas gown for the evening section. I fell in love with all of these gowns.

In the first week of July, 30 girls from around Australia will head to Melbourne to compete for the MUA crown. What ever the result, great friends have been made, fun and exciting times have been had and an overall fantastic experience has been gained.

Until next time,

Alissa x