Today we’re chatting with Lili Carroll from Victoria, 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 Lili, why don’t you start by telling us a bit about yourself?
I’m 22 and I was born and raised in Melbourne, Victoria. I’m one of six siblings, and I love spending time with my ten nieces and nephews whenever I can. I work in bridal fashion marketing and content, which lets me combine my love for fashion, creativity and storytelling with creating memorable experiences for brides on one of the biggest days of their lives. Outside of work, I’m passionate about travel, health and wellness, and always finding new experiences that challenge me and help me grow. I’m a huge country music girl, and I’m someone who really values family, experiences and staying curious.
What inspired you to take the leap and enter Miss Universe Australia?
For me, entering Miss Universe Australia was really about doing something that pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I’ve always admired women who use their platform to make a difference, and I wanted to challenge myself to grow in that way too. I’ve loved the personal growth, the confidence I’ve gained and the friendships I’ve made along the way, but most importantly, it’s given me the chance to realise how much you can grow when you’re willing to put yourself out there and give something a go.
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?
Travelling to Vietnam was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and undoubtedly one of the highlights of my Miss Universe Australia journey. Staying at the beautiful Mövenpick Resort Cam Ranh was nothing short of incredible. From our walking workshops with Thelma to unforgettable dinners, photoshoots, content days and time spent together, every day brought something special. Sharing the experience with such an inspiring and intelligent group of women made it even more meaningful, and I know the friendships & memories we created will stay with me long after the program.
What’s one moment from the trip you don’t think you’ll ever forget?
One moment from the trip I’ll never forget was our official swim shoot with Unnecessary Swim. I had so much fun shooting with Soph, Jarrad, and the amazing team behind the day. I absolutely loved being able to get creative, especially wearing a pair of jeans and a singlet in the pool! I mean how cool?! It was such a fun and unique experience. I also loved being part of the Waste 2 Art project with the high school students from Cam Ranh. Seeing waste & litter transformed into something so meaningful and creative, while connecting with the students, was such a beautiful reminder of the impact of creativity and community.
As part of the trip, you also took part in your official swimwear shoot with Unnecessary. What was the experience like?
The official swimwear shoot was definitely one of my favourite experiences from the trip. I was part of the black and white concept, and I loved how creative it was. We shot in the villa pool, where I wore a pair of jeans and a white singlet over my Unnecessary the Label swimwear, paired with Unnecessary sunglasses, which made for such a unique editorial look. Working with Sophia and the entire creative team was so much fun; they were incredibly supportive and made me feel confident to simply be myself. I cannot wait to see all of our final swim shots!
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?
I’ve changed my perspective on the idea that you need to have everything figured out before taking a leap. I used to believe confidence came from knowing exactly where you were going, but I’ve realised confidence is built by taking action, learning along the way and trusting yourself through uncertainty. Entering Miss Universe Australia was a perfect example of that—sometimes the biggest growth comes from simply being brave enough to begin.
With everyone bringing their own unique flair to the program, what would you say sets you apart from the other finalists?
I think what sets me apart is that I’m genuinely curious about life. I’m always wanting to learn, experience new things and understand people, and I think that’s shaped a lot of who I am. I’ve always been quite independent and have had a strong sense of wanting to create something of my own. Whether that’s through my work in marketing and bridal, my creative projects or the ideas I have for the future, I’ve always wanted to build a career and an identity that feels really true to me. I know what I value, I know the kind of person I want to be, and I think that gives me a really grounded perspective. I see Miss Universe Australia as something that can add to that journey, rather than define who I am.
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’d love to write down all of my biggest dreams now, including the ones that feel a little unrealistic, and look back at them in ten years. I think we can get so caught up in everyday life that we forget to stop and recognise how far we’ve come. It would be pretty amazing to see which dreams I’ve ticked off, which ones have changed, and what I ended up achieving that I never could have imagined at 22.
If you could work on any dream project, with no limits on time or resources, what would it be?
If I could work on any dream project with no limits on time or resources, I’d probably create my own little island somewhere that’s always warm, not too far from Australia, but feels like you’ve somehow stepped into Europe. I’d have beautiful villas, little restaurants, beach clubs, amazing food and plenty of places to swim. Basically, somewhere you could spend the morning at the beach, have a long lunch that turns into dinner and completely lose track of what day it is. It’s probably a little unrealistic, but that’s the fun of having no limits.
If 2026 had a theme song, what would it be?
If 2026 had a theme song, it would probably be “Man! I Feel Like a Woman!” by Shania Twain. It’s fun, confident and impossible not to sing along to. I think this year has been about embracing being a woman, backing myself and having a bit more fun with life, so it feels pretty fitting.
What’s the most “you” thing currently sitting in your camera roll?
Probably a lot of house and interior inspiration. I’m always saving beautiful kitchens, bathrooms, houses and little details that I love. I think I’ve basically designed my dream house ten times over in my camera roll. Oh, and food! I save almost every recipe I come across.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever ignored?
“Don’t be too ambitious.” I think ambition is something to embrace. Having big dreams can be intimidating, but I’ve learned that growth often comes from being willing to try things before you feel completely ready.
What’s a completely useless or funny talent you have that you’re weirdly proud of?
A completely useless talent I’m weirdly proud of is being able to walk on my hands. I did gymnastics for years growing up, so somehow that’s a skill that stuck with me. It’s not particularly useful, but I still get a weird amount of satisfaction from being able to randomly walk around upside down.
Where to Watch, Lili 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.
