Well, it’s that time of year when the search to find Miss Universe Australia is well underway with State finals kicking off across the country.
Later this month at the Hotel Grand Chancellor , Surfers Paradise the judging panel will select the Queensland representatives in the 2015 Pageant.
Starting off our state finalist interviews we chat with La’Ace de Vries one of the contestants who will be competing for a place in the national final held on June 5 at the Sofitel Melbourne on Collins where the countries finalists will be competing for the 2015 title.
Congratulations on Making it so far in the coveted miss universe Australia competition tell us a little about yourself …?
Thank you, it has been a wonderful journey. I’m 22 years old and I am an international model. I love to be outdoors, especially with my horses. I’m a big animal lover so you can often find me in nature. If I’m not there, I’m spending time with family or friends.
Who or what inspired you to get involved in the Miss Universe Australia Pageant …? What drew you to such a competition ….The Miss Universe Australia Pageant has always appealed to me. I think that it’s a great platform to build confidence in many young women. The experience alone is enough to motivate young women to believe in themselves and aspire to achieve the best that’s within them. It’s also a lot of fun and a great way to meet like-minded people.
Speaking of inspiration who inspires you most …?
If you are successful in the pageant you will become a possible inspiration or role model to many young girls how does this sit with you …? And what do you consider are the attributes of a good role model …?
The person that inspires me most would have to be Miranda Kerr. Ever since I started modeling, I found her values, her kindness and her determination a real inspiration to be the best I could be. I have also had the pleasure to meet her and her family and they are every bit as genuine as I hoped.
I think to be a role model is a real privilege and an honour. It is an opportunity to show and inspire young women to believe that they have what it takes inside themselves. As a teenager, you are often conflicted with scenarios in which you consider changing who you are to fit in, only to find that you isolate yourself from the person you want to be. If I became Miss Universe Australia, I would be so humbled to know that I could help young women stick up for themselves and who they want to be.
For me, good attributes of a role model include always being positive, being considerate, kind, down to earth and supporting of others. Each day I wake up and ask myself, “Am I better than the person I was yesterday?” We are all unique and the only person we should be competing against is ourselves. When it comes to others, sometimes it’s the little acts of random kindness, such as a smile, that can brighten someone’s day and make them believe in themselves.
The Miss Universe Pageant has a long history of associating with charity are their any social causes that are particularly close to your heart that you would like to use the platform of miss universe to advance …?
Since I was a young girl, animals have been such a big part of my life. They have kept me grounded, empathetic and even uplifted my spirit when I felt down. Mahatma Gandhi said ‘the greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.’ For this reason, I would like to support charities that deal with the conservation of animals, such as Wildlife Warriors. Most of Australia’s wildlife is found nowhere else in the world, making its conservation even more important. 87% of our mammal species, 93% of reptiles, 94% of frogs and 45% of our bird species are found only in Australia. Not to mention that our animal ambassadors, the Koala, the Platypus, the Kangaroo and the Emu are completely unique to Australia. Also dealing with horses on a personal basis, I have realized how much the therapy of being with animals can help people on a spiritual level. Spending time with animals gives you so much love and helps lift your mood.
What do you think will set you out from the rest of the entrants competing in the 2015 competition …?We are all set apart in different ways as we all have different strengths. But, I believe it comes to being confident, positive and down to earth. It’s about finding your own strengths and concentrating on them, not worrying about the strengths of others
What would you say is your best style or beauty secret …?Having my hair pulled and teased as a Model, it’s always getting damaged. I massage castor oil onto my scalp to help promote hair growth. I also believe good health starts with what you consume and one of the best ways I like to nourish myself is by taking superfoods. My favourite is organic brown algae from Divinita. It is great for a detox and gives me lots of energy
And speaking of personal style fitness is fast becoming more and more a part of the person’s personal style … how would you describe your fitness regime …?Throughout my life, my regime has been keeping active, mostly outdoors horse riding. When I was younger, I did harness racing, but I also loved to horse ride in the hinterlands. Recently, I have taken up going to the gym. I enjoy it more than what I expected but it’s a different sort of fitness
We all have a personal saying or particular mantra what would you say yours is ..?My parents like to collect antiques and one of the antiques they had was an old army water canteen. It has an inscription on it that my Dad always told me to read.
“Good better best, better than the best. When you’re good gets better, you’re better is best.” It reminds me to always try be the best that I can be.
Now the Quick 5
1. What is something people might find interesting about yourself …? I was an actor in the children’s show Mortified.
2. Your favourite place in the world to wind down and relax ..? There is nothing better than saddling up my horse Effie and going for a ride. It reconnects me with nature and makes me calm.
What song would you say is your personal anthem or theme song …?
Anything by Gwen Stefani
If you could give yourself one piece of advice 5 years ago what would it be …? Always stay positive. Carpe Diem, seize the day and never give up
and What are five things in your life you just can’t live without …?
Friends
Family
Animals
Fashion
Healthy Food
