The search to find the next Miss Universe Australia is underway, with National finalists preparing to touch down in Melbourne later this month ahead of the national finals held at the Sofitel on Collins June 28.
We are chatting with Jacqueline Scheiwe, from QLD who will be competing for the 2018 title of Miss Universe Australia.
So why don’t you tell our readers a little about yourself?
I’m a journalist working behind the scenes as an assistant producer at 7 News in Brisbane. It means I write the news updates that pop up during your daytime TV viewing, script a few stories here and there, and am another set of eyes to make sure everything is perfect before the bulletin goes to air. I never wanted to be a journalist when I left school because I thought I wasn’t smart enough. My teachers were sceptical too! But I thought it would be an interesting job, so I gave it a go at university. And I’m happy to say I made it through my degree and have fallen in love with my career! I also stalk a lot of dogs on Instagram in my downtime. So please DM me your favourite dogs on Instagram!
So you’ve just returned from the Miss Universe Finalists trip to the Amazing Allia Hotels in Bali… How was the experience?
It was stupendous! We were blown away by Bali’s stunning scenery and the way our hotels captured that beauty. I loved the moments when I opened the door to each of my hotel rooms and felt my jaw drop at how beautiful each room was! And not to mention the deliciously fresh food!
We know there was an amazing program of things for you all, what was your highlight?
As much as it hurt at the time, I thoroughly enjoyed our Bootcamp session at Alila Seminyak overlooking the beach. The salty fresh air and morning sunshine was the perfect refreshment I needed to clear my mind and stretch out my body after many nights of dancing with the girls! I love how a good workout leaves you feeling positive for the rest of the day!
So now you’re home and having undergone the best prep we can think of you know the sun, surf and Bali …. it’s not long till the national finals in Melb… how are you feeling in the lead-up and what sort of preparation are you doing, before finals week commences?
Surprisingly I’ve felt positive instead of nervous leading up to Nationals! Many friends and colleagues have come forward with their excitement for my journey and to wish me their encouragement. I’ve been blown away by everyone’s support! I’ve also been focusing on getting my health into tip-top shape. My diet has changed to mainly whole foods, I’ve committed to getting a proper night’s sleep each night, and I try to push my body during each workout. I’ve even quit alcohol and Kit Kats for the month until Melbourne! But it’s all helped me feel incredible from the inside out! I feel ready – Bring on the final!
With so many of you all bringing an individual flair to the competition, what do you think will set you apart from the other contestants?
While my lack of modelling experience sets me apart from the others, I think it will only help me enjoy the competition more! After working in a newsroom for over a year, I bring a little bit of knowledge and life experience with me. But I think my most significant difference will be up on stage. After growing up competing in Irish Dancing championships across Australia and overseas, I’m far more excited than nervous to get back up on stage and to crack a few smiles with the judges!
Speaking of being unique we all have different motivations, what is something that motivates you daily or you would say is your passion?
We don’t often like to think about our time on earth being finite. Working in the news, I’m confronted with the reality that you never know which day might be your last. This is what motivates me to be thankful for each day and to take every opportunity that comes my way to improve the life of someone else or to push myself with a new challenge. It motivates me to speak encouraging words to others because you never know what they’re battling in life. Make your days count instead of counting your days!
What is something people might find interesting about yourself?
It’s not so much of a secret now with the other contestants, but I grew up learning Irish Dancing, quitting only a few years ago. It’s become a little bit of a party trick of mine to indulge in a few dance steps at a get-together! The music gets going; toes are tapping, everyone’s clapping and smiling; It puts a big smile on my face!
Where is your favourite place in the world to wind down and relax?
Noosa in Queensland’s Sunshine Coast is magical all the year round! I love running the National Park trail with stunning views of the coastline and then cooling off with a dip at the pristine Little Cove Beach. Followed by some locally-grown Buderim ginger gelato overlooking the water and watching the sunset over the mountains. And I always manage to spot a shooting star at night!
The Miss Universe program has a long and proud history and focuses on helping women become the best versions of themselves, how do you think your experience so far will help move you forward in life?
I have noticed my confidence improve dramatically in life and at work thanks to the supportive community of Miss Universe Australia! As an introvert at heart, I’d rather let my hard work do the talking. But the Powerful Impressions workshop has helped me understand my personality and how I can harness my strengths to communicate with other personality types that see the world differently. It’s helped me to back myself and not to feel embarrassed but to put myself forward or to give new opportunities a go.
What is the funniest thing that has happened to you recently?
Everyone except me has laughed at this story! When I was out on a run to prepare for nationals, a dog chased me and ran into my feet, tripping me over. I fell onto a rough gravel path and cut open my whole knee. I spent half an hour with a nurse scrubbing out all the dirt in my wound! I had to get a tetanus needle too, so I couldn’t even reach my arm high enough to get a parking ticket to go shopping! Like I said, everyone but me has laughed at that story!
Name five things you can’t live without?
iPhone. I just have to keep up with the news/royals! My beautiful mum. Gorgeous friends. Car. Sunshine.
How would your closest friend describe you?
They tell me I don’t take compliments well. But they still persist regardless of how well I do or don’t take them!
It’s 2018. Aren’t beauty pageants like Miss Universe Australia outdated? Are they even relevant anymore?
In a world crowded with Instagram models and controversy over bikini shows, I’ve found Miss Universe Australia to be a refreshingly different experience to the stereotypes I thought it would embody. In meeting the other Miss Universe contestants in Bali, I was delighted to talk to nurses, PhD students, teachers, small business owners, future lawyers and contestants producing their own dance productions! As a reminder of how much we need to celebrate and encourage Australia’s young women, it was only eight years ago Australia elected its first female Prime Minister. This competition celebrates and encourages the talents and achievements of Australia’s smart, switched-on women. MUA has taught us that “hashtag activism” and perfectly photoshopped Instagram photos aren’t what the world needs. Instead, we’ve been equipped and encouraged to make a real difference in the lives of others through fundraising for charities and partnering with our local Ronald McDonald houses to help brighten the lives of our local communities. Miss Universe Australia has really fostered our relationships with the contestants to become a network of women encouraging and mentoring each other towards our personal goals. In a media landscape filled with conflicting and negative voices, I think Miss Universe Australia is more relevant than ever!
Jacqui is also helping raise money for Toybox International as part of her Miss Universe Journey, Please consider donating by clicking here
The Above Tittle Image is Provided by Perrywinkle Photography
