Well it is that time of year when the search to find the new Miss Universe Australia begins and this Sunday at the Grand Chancellor Surfers Paradise the judging panel will select the Queensland entrants in the Miss Universe Australia pageant
Starting off our weekend of coverage we have a chat with Jaydan Thompson one of the contestants who will be competing for a place in the State Final held in April.
Thanks for taking the time to chat with us Jaydan first up can you tell us a bit about yourself …?
I have just turned 18 and completed year 12 at Emmanuel College. I have been successful in securing a basketball scholarship in the USA which I have differed till next year to allow me some time to gain more experience in modelling, basketball and overall life skills. I work casually at Bendon Lingerie outlet and do some waitressing with a Catering company.
I am fun, outgoing, confident, love my sport and occasionally a bit of a gumby. However, I haven’t always been like this. I have had to endure struggles throughout my life such as bullying and losing someone close to me. Being bullied had ruined my self-esteem for a long time. I wasn’t always the glam pam that I am today, I was overweight for many years and had a lot of problems accepting myself. However, I preserved and decided that I wanted to get into shape not just for the bullies but for myself. I ended up losing 10kg, I had a massive growth spurt and I started to eat well. Since I’ve done this I’ve grown to love who I am and has given me so many opportunities. I’ve realised that no matter what you do or what shape you are or what you look like you will always be judged, and it’s up to you whether you listen or not.
Why did you get involved in Miss Universe? What drew you to such a competition?
The reason I wanted to get involved in Miss universe is because I want to prove to myself that all my hard work has paid off and to make myself proud. Even if I don’t win I still had a go and did something that I love doing and would have benefited from the experience. I also want to show people that if you put your mind to it, you can do it, even if you don’t succeed at least you’ve given everything and have not given up.
If you are successful in the Miss Universe Pageant you will become a role model too many young girls. What do you think are the attributes of a good role model …?
I think in order to be a great role model you need to demonstrate your confidence, show that you aren’t afraid to be unique or stand out, be able to connect with all different people, acknowledge your mistakes and learn from them, never give up, always committed in everything you do and prepared to stand up for your own beliefs, and most importantly always show kindness.
Who is your role model…?
My role model is my mum (I know it’s a little corny) because she is the person that has pushed to become the person I am today, she is the person that has always been there for me through my worst and through my best and she is the person that has encouraged and supported me in everything i do. I look up to her because she is so kind-hearted, successful, she always gives her full potential and she’s always encouraging and she always does her best to be the perfect mother.
Other than winning the Miss Universe Pageant, What would you say are your biggest aspirations…?
Besides winning Miss Universe (which would be a dream come true) I aspire to become a model not just because of the fame but because I want to empower people all over the world to stand up and be noticed, I don’t want to be one of those skinny models that blend into the background, I want to be the model that encourages women all over the world to love them self no matter what shape or size. I want to be able to inspire people, especially young women to be themselves and not allow other people to put them down. If we can get enough young people to be confident and believe in themselves the bullies will have one to bully, that is my goal in life.
What do you think will set you out from the rest of the contestants competing on the weekend …?
I think I will stand out because Im not the thinnest girl there, and I never will be, but I love being fit and healthy and I work hard each day to better myself. Size shouldn’t define how you feel about yourself, and knowing I stand out makes me more confident. Plus I’m also quirky and love to make people laugh, I’m quite the Aussie bogan and I love to impersonate Kath and Kim and Julia Gillard.
and What would you say is your best style or beauty secret …?My best style is definitely my gym wear, I practically live in it anyway. My beauty secret is that I clean my face morning and night no matter how late or tired and have done so since I was young, something my mum and nana have taught me.
The Miss Universe Pageant has a long history of association with Charity. Are there any social causes that are particularly close to your heart that you would like to use the platform of Miss Universe advance?
I am currently a GVN Youth Ambassador (Global Volunteer Network), this charity focuses around connecting people to help communities in need, especially vulnerable women and children. This year is all about leadership and equipping me to better help the community, next year I will travel overseas to a community in need to help in any way required. I will also use what I have learned through this program to support disadvantaged people in my local community. I also currently volunteer at local Basketball and Netball clubs to help young people learn to play sports so they build confidence and learn how to interact in a team.
If you could give yourself one piece of advice 5 years ago what would it be?
No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, show up and never give up.
The Miss Universe pageant is about empowering women. What do you this is the most important when it comes to empowering women?
To show them that being a certain size shouldn’t differentiate them from anyone else in this world. That we should be loving ourselves instead of hating ourselves. I think letting them know that they are perfect in every way possible and know one should tell them differently
