It’s that exciting time of year again! We’re chatting with Emily Kaufman of New South Wales, one of the 28 remarkable and accomplished women from diverse backgrounds vying for the title of Miss Universe Australia 2024. The winner is set to be crowned in the Grand Ballroom at Crown Perth on the 5th of September.

So, Emily, why don’t you start by telling us a bit about yourself?

My name is Emily Kaufman, but everyone calls me Em. I was born in Taiwan but have lived in Sydney since I was 2 years old. I am studying a Bachelor of Arts at Macquarie University and work in retail and childcare, as well as in the modelling industry.

I would describe myself as bubbly, genuine, and warm. I have a huge passion for everything creative and love to learn about different cultures. Most weekends, you’ll find me going to see the latest musical or show, or visiting art exhibits, or trying new cafes and restaurants with my nearest and dearest.

What inspired you to take the leap and enter Miss Universe Australia?

Honestly, Miss Universe Australia was never on my radar. However, after reading about the program and all there is to gain from it, I thought, why not give it a go? I saw it as an opportunity not only to gain and develop new skills and friendships but also to represent those of mixed race and Asian descent, as well as the LGBTQIA+ community.

As part of the program, you had the amazing opportunity to travel to Vietnam, courtesy of Vietjet, and stay at the beautiful Hoiana Resort. How was that experience for you?

The Vietnam trip was truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was jam-packed with so many incredible moments, and I got to meet the other National Finalists who have become such good friends. From the stunning Hoiana Resort to the creative team around us, it felt surreal to be surrounded by so much culture, passion, and support.

What would you say was the highlight of the trip?

My personal highlight of the trip was being able to visit Hoi An city and Hearing and Beyond, a school for deaf and hearing-impaired children. Interacting with the students and seeing the invaluable work Hearing and Beyond provides was incredibly touching, especially as someone who loves working with children. Additionally, immersing ourselves in local culture, history, and art was so much fun.

Can you describe an experience in Vietnam that pushed you out of your comfort zone?

It’s definitely hard to pick just one, as the trip truly pushed me out of my comfort zone in so many ways, but I believe the day we had the NIDA workshop was particularly significant. As someone who is quite introverted, public speaking and presenting can be very confronting for me. Natasha and Jo, who had so much expertise in their respective fields of presenting, vocal, and breath work, created such a safe space for us to develop our skills. While it was challenging at times, I learned so much and had a lot of fun.

Your next question comes from our current Miss Universe Australia, Moraya Wilson. Imagine you’re standing on stage with the title of Miss Universe Australia 2024. What advice would you give to your younger self?

This is such a wonderful question. A younger me could never have imagined where I am now. So, I think my biggest piece of advice to her would be, ‘Don’t underestimate what you’re capable of’. There have been many instances where I believed I couldn’t achieve something for whatever reason, but when I worked up the courage to give it a go, I found that I could achieve so much.

With everyone bringing their own unique flair to the program, what would you say sets you apart from the other contestants?

I believe what sets me apart from the other wonderful finalists is my bubbly and genuine nature. While the Miss Universe Australia program is, of course, a very prestigious competition, I try to have as much fun as possible and bring as much energy to every experience we’ve had so far. My priority is staying authentic to myself and building up those around me throughout this program, rather than just focusing on the prize at the end.

What’s something about you that people might find surprising?

Probably the fact that I’m incredibly introverted. I think in certain settings and through social media, I might come across as confident and extroverted, and while that is true at times and when I’m with my nearest and dearest, I can also be quite shy, reserved, and prefer to observe rather than be the centre of attention.

If you could work on any dream project, with no limits on time or resources, what would it be?

A dream project for me would be to work with feminine hygiene brands to provide women in disadvantaged countries and circumstances with access to appropriate feminine hygiene products, education, and healthcare. Most of us in Australia are privileged enough to have access to these products and be well educated about reproductive and body health, and I would love to make that a reality for all women.

We have a few quick questions to wrap up the interview:

If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be and why?

Hmm, this is such a good question. I think it would be languages. I love learning new languages but am definitely not great at it.

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?

The most adventurous thing I’ve ever done would have to be interacting with and bathing elephants in Thailand when I was 15. It was such a wonderful and unforgettable experience being able to connect with such beautiful animals.

Do you have a guilty pleasure that you enjoy?

My guilty pleasure will always be my yearly Harry Potter marathon. I am very much a Harry Potter nerd, so the annual movie marathon is a must.

If you could have any superpower for a day, what would it be and how would you use it?

I have thought about this on many occasions, but I think teleportation would have to be my chosen superpower. Being able to be anywhere in the world instantly would be absolute magic to me. While I’d love to use it to travel and immerse myself in different cultures, I’d also use it to connect with people all around the world and make my dream project a reality.

Help Emily and the Miss Universe Australia Finalists Make a Difference

Emily, along with the other Miss Universe Australia Finalists, have collectively raised over $500,000 to support ToyBox and its official 2024 charities: Camp Quality and Ronald McDonald House. You can donate now using the link below.

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