Today we’re chatting with Kristabella Leembruggen from New South Wales, one of 28 remarkable women vying for the Miss Universe Australia 2026 crown, to be decided on August 26 at Palladium, Crown Melbourne. In a first for the pageant, this year’s national final will be broadcast live nationally on the Seven Network.
So Kristabella, why don’t you start by telling us a bit about yourself?
I go by Bella or KB. I am 22 years old, have been a dancer and performer my whole life, and am a Business Marketing graduate from the University of Technology Sydney. I have also been a children’s dance teacher for the past 5 years, as well as working as both a medical receptionist and a retail sales assistant.
What inspired you to take the leap and enter Miss Universe Australia?
Honestly, a few different reasons.
Last year, I almost lost my dad in a near-fatal car accident. In the months following, I watched him go through major spinal surgeries, multiple ICU stays, prostate cancer, and the sudden passing of his mother (my Grandma), all with a smile on his face and an incredibly positive attitude. He never stopped supporting and believing in me, and would always encourage me to attend my university classes and dance competitions, rather than visiting him.
Whilst this was probably the hardest thing I’ve ever had to endure, it truly showed me that tomorrow is never promised. This motivated me to seize every opportunity I can, to try to make a difference in society through being the best person I can be, and to make my family members—both the ones I have lost and the ones I am lucky to still have with me—proud.
I had previously heard of the Miss Universe Australia program through social media and decided to do some research into it. This is when I discovered that a big part of MUA is raising funds for ToyBox Australia, an organisation that inspires me through its mission to bring happiness to children in their hardest moments. This, combined with being on the stage, which has always been my first love, showed me that the MUA program was absolutely the right thing for me to do as my next step in life.
I also am extremely proud to be Australian, and the thought of representing my country at a national or international level is something I’ve always wanted to do.
As part of the program, you had the amazing opportunity to travel to Vietnam and stay at the beautiful Mövenpick Resort Cam Ranh. How was that experience for you?
I loved Vietnam and the beautiful Mövenpick Resort. Before submitting my application to MUA at the start of this year, I saw many photos from the 2025 Vietnam trip, and just thought to myself how amazing that would be if I got to do that. To actually be in Vietnam living my dream was surreal, and every single day there was a “pinch me” moment.
Many people might expect that putting 28 girls who barely know each other in a hotel could sound like a recipe for disaster. However, I couldn’t have been more wrong. I’ve genuinely never met a group of girls as supportive and loving as I did on that trip. And we get to do it all again in Melbourne, come August!
What’s one moment from the trip you don’t think you’ll ever forget?
I will never forget the last walking workshop we had with all of the girls, Thelma (our walking coach), the MUA team, and Lexie. The atmosphere created by everyone there was nothing short of magical. Everyone was so supportive and cheering for one another, and in that moment I thought to myself, “Wow, this really is a once-in-a-lifetime experience we are all sharing right now.”
As part of the trip, you also took part in your official swimwear shoot with Unnecessary. What was the experience like?
I absolutely LOVED the swim shoot. From waking up early to go into hair and makeup, to seeing the bikini I was going to wear and the vision boards that the team had meticulously tailored to every single girl, was just a dream.
It was genuinely such a fun experience, and I only wish we could do it again!
Your next question comes from our current Miss Universe Australia, Lexie Brant. What is one belief or perspective that you’ve changed your mind about recently, and what caused that change?
Something I’ve changed my mind about recently is protecting your own peace. Even at the beginning of this year, I often found myself saying yes to things that I didn’t actually feel aligned to, because I thought this was the ‘right’ thing to do. Now, I’ve realised that by showing up for what you are truly passionate about, you are much more present, and bring so much more to the moment than what you could’ve otherwise.
With everyone bringing their own unique flair to the program, what would you say sets you apart from the other finalists?
I would say that my unique flair is that I’ve grown up on the stage and feel so at home on it. As I said before, performing really is my first love. From my first days performing in preschool concerts, I’ve chased the feeling of connecting with an audience ever since.
I also believe I have a unique standpoint on how I would like to use my platform. I want to show everyone that you can chase your dreams while still taking care of your mental health. I feel very passionate about advocating for mental wellbeing awareness, not just in the performing arts, but in all aspects of life.
What’s one skill, trip, or activity, not Miss Universe related, that you want to tick off your list before the end of 2026?
I would love to start an MBA in marketing so that I can one day achieve my dream of becoming the Head of Marketing for a global brand!
If you could work on any dream project, with no limits on time or resources, what would it be?
My dream project is to one day be able to spoil my parents as much as they do for me now. With no limits on time or resources, I would honestly dedicate it to giving them as many bucket-list experiences as possible. They truly deserve it.
If 2026 had a theme song, what would it be?
For me, it would be “Loving Life Again” by Ella Langley. It truly sums up my year so far.
What’s the most “you” thing currently sitting in your camera roll?
Thousands of pictures of my puppy, Daisy.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever ignored?
“You can do it”, because for a while, I really didn’t believe in myself and think I could achieve my goals. It may sound clichéd, but once you believe in yourself, your life really does change.
What’s a completely useless or funny talent you have that you’re weirdly proud of?
I learnt how to do the worm in high school, and ever since then I love to bring it out whenever the moment is calling for a laugh or two.
Where to Watch Kristabella on the Miss Universe Australia National Final
The Miss Universe Australia National Final is being broadcast live on Seven Network on August 26, 2026. The live red-carpet coverage will begin at 7:00pm AEST, followed by the National Final at 7:30pm AEST on 7plus. The program then airs on Channel Seven following The Front Bar.
