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!
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
