Today we’re chatting with Paraman Tot from Victoria, one of 30 remarkable women vying for the Miss Universe Australia 2025 crown, to be decided on August 15 at Crown Perth’s Grand Ballroom.
So, why don’t you start by telling us a bit about yourself?
I feel like I wear so many hats in my day-to-day life, but I guess in summary my name is Paraman, I am 28 years old and was born in South Sudan. I am the unpaid executive director of my home to my beautiful family, a host of my own show, while also filming my renovations journey of my dream house, a model, an ambassador and a total go-getter. I come from a very large tight-knit family full of different characters and in my downtime, which feels almost non-existent these days, I love to host friends over and watch cooking shows. I am a bit of a foodie and living in Melbourne is a joy because we have such a diverse selection of restaurants, I am always spoiled for choice.
I have always been the kind of person that does not like to be boxed in, and I feel like society is constantly trying to box women to one title, one job, one image. I believe, as a woman, we can achieve so much when given the opportunities. That’s why now I work in multiple avenues because I know my purpose is not just one thing, instead it’s many pursuits.
What inspired you to take the leap and enter Miss Universe Australia?
To be completely honest with you, I initially joined the program because I was in the worst place of my life, and I just wanted to make new friends and get myself out there again. I had just become a new mum and was dealing with severe post-partum depression. But after being selected and working through the program, as the months progressed, I started realising how this opportunity was giving me what I had hoped to find — reminding me again about the kind of woman I used to be.
Then it hit me, it was more than just rediscovering myself, I was growing and becoming the woman I always knew I could be and the woman my community needed to see and hear from. This journey of self-discovery and empowerment has made me realise that it didn’t matter what I looked like but how I authentically and unapologetically showed up as myself, it gave me the tools and the confidence to tell my story with pride and to go out into the community and use my voice to advocate for my beliefs and ambitions for women.
As part of the program, you had the amazing opportunity to travel to Vietnam, and stay at the beautiful Hoiana Resort. How was that experience for you?
Oh my gosh, what an amazing opportunity it was. I had been to Vietnam before on our first international family trip when my son was 9 months old so it was such a special pinch-me moment to be back again in Vietnam, this time for myself with the Miss Universe Australia team. Every corner of Hoiana Resort was breathtaking, I literally felt like a celebrity from the moment I left my room. From the warm greetings from all the staff to the delicious endless buffet service, I had such a great time. There is no other program in the country that allows you to travel with other incredible young women and go on a journey of self-discovery. I can say with confidence that I am not the same woman I was after I got back from that trip.
What would you say was the highlight of the trip?
There are so many to choose from, I would say going out to see the children at Hearing and Beyond. Witnessing firsthand the incredible work ToyBox does and our contribution through our fundraising efforts was truly touching. In that moment it reminded me about what was important. It wasn’t about who had the best walk, or the best body but it was about connecting with each other and the Vietnamese community and being able to make a meaningful impact. It reminded me that at the end of the day we all want and deserve the same things — shelter, food security and the opportunity to have access to education to better our lives. From my own experience, I saw parts of myself in those children. It made me thankful for the course my life has taken, and I recognised I wouldn’t be here today without the generosity of the Australian community.
As part of the trip, you also took part in your official swimwear shoot with Unnecessary the Label. How was that experience for you?
It was honestly one of the most empowering and emotional experiences I have had in a long time. Prior to the shoot I was constantly putting a lot of pressure on myself to be “in the best shape of my life”. I thought I had to show up in the perfect body, but I want to ask, what is the definition of a perfect body? To think I was worried about standing in front of the camera in a bikini for the first time since having my son. My body has changed. But that morning I made a promise to myself: I wasn’t going to hide or shrink the parts of me that society often tells women to be ashamed of. I was going to show up unapologetically and authentically as myself, not just for me but for every woman who has ever felt like she was not enough because of her body.
Your next question comes from our current Miss Universe Australia, Zoe Creed. If your younger self could see you today, not just on this stage but as a person, what do you think she’d be most proud of, and why?
Oh my goodness, just the thought of my younger self meeting the kind of woman I have become now makes me emotional.
This journey, especially with Miss Universe Australia, has been so much more than just a competition for me. It has healed so many parts of my inner child. Growing up I didn’t have someone who looked like me achieving the things I would dream about becoming, so I had to learn to look within myself and be my own source of inspiration. That was not always easy to do and there were many times where I thought I couldn’t do it. I am so fortunate to grow up in a country such as Australia that gave me the tools to live the kind of life I wanted. I never take any of it for granted and I want young girls to know that they absolutely can have it all, no one is their competition, and the sky is the limit.
My younger self would be so proud of who I have become, not just of all the incredible achievements but for becoming so comfortable in my skin and learning to embrace myself.
With everyone bringing their own unique flair to the program, what would you say sets you apart from the other contestants?
I should preface by saying that I have had the absolute privilege of getting to know 29 incredible young women from all over the country that have inspired me in a lot of ways and any one of them would be deserving of the crown.
I came to Australia with nothing to my name and I have created a life that I am proud of. So for me the quality that I bring into the program is my ability to never take no for an answer, I am extremely resilient and I think this makes for a great Miss Universe Australia because life is very unpredictable and no one hands you opportunities, you have to believe that you deserve more in life and go out there and fight for it. Despite what I have experienced and been through, despite all the times I heard “no”, I have survived and never given up. Instead, I have continued on my journey, focused on my purpose with a vision to inspire other people, especially women to take control of their lives and to truly fight for the kind of life they are proud of.
To me, Miss Universe Australia is a woman who never gives up, uses her voice to share her experiences, both good and bad, to amplify the voices of many other women and I believe I embody those characteristics. I hope by me sharing my story and creating my own platform I will inspire and create opportunities for women to rise to their fullest potential. My goal for wanting to be Miss Universe Australia is to share my story and hopefully inspire hundreds, thousands and hopefully millions of girls and women to share their stories too. I hope to ignite a fire in all women to know that they can have it all, despite what society says women can and can’t do.
What’s something about you that people might find surprising or interesting?
That I have failed more times than I can count, but despite all of those failures I have never let a “no” stop me from continuing to push forward, especially maintaining confidence that there will be something bigger and better ahead. Having this resilience mindset has allowed me to move through life with perspective, not fearing rejection but embracing all the bumps, lows and highs as learning tools to break through barriers. Especially now when all that people seem to see is this young, accomplished woman, a lot of these achievements happened because of my relentless efforts to never accept no as the final answer. As women, society often tells us that we must accept our place and stay on one path but if I am being honest with you, I have never been good at staying in one lane. I believe as women we really can do it all.
If you could work on any dream project, with no limits on time or resources, what would it be?
So I am currently working on my dream project, I am shooting the pilot to my own cooking show which I also host, called ‘A Seat At The Table’ where I invite different women from very different backgrounds and walks of life to come on and share their stories over a meal. Each episode features a different guest, where we discuss an array of topics from relationships, finances, sexuality, and the everyday challenges that women in our society face. Being a woman is very challenging, often facing pressures from the universe to look and be a certain way, or being restricted from achieving our potential. I created this platform to give women a safe space to be able to share their stories without any shame or prejudice.
For me it is incredibly important to highlight and showcase the strength of women through visibility and honest conversations. I want to truly inspire a generation of women that are not afraid to share their stories or life experiences but instead use it to empower each other and bring a strong sense of identity and belonging.
We have a few quick questions to wrap up the interview:
What’s a song that never fails to lift your mood?
So Mi So by Wande Coal. My playlist is literally so random and so me. It goes from Cardi B to rain sounds (only thing that will put my son to sleep) and then to House/Techno, but I can always rely on any Afrobeat song to boost my mood, it’s the African roots in me haha.
What does confidence mean to you?
When I was a teenager I used to think that confidence meant the way that I looked, so I obsessively spent hours working out, bleaching my skin and picking myself apart trying to “fit in” but as I’ve gotten older I’ve realised confidence is so much more than what is on the outside and more about what’s on the inside. I know now that it’s more about how I feel and the way that I carry myself when I walk into every room knowing that I belong and it doesn’t matter if it’s a room full of billionaires or cleaners, I still carry myself the same way. I shake everyone’s hand confidently and introduce myself.
If you had to swap lives with someone for a day, who would it be and why?
My son Forrest. Have you seen how cute and joyous he is? He radiates so much warmth and attention everywhere he goes; he is just the sweetest, most beautiful soul. His father and I can’t get enough of him.
What’s one thing you always have in your handbag (besides your phone)?
Snacks, and lots of them haha. Some for Forrest but mostly for me if I am being honest.
Window or aisle seat on a flight?
Have you met me? Haha I am 6’1 and need to be stretching my legs every second, it also doesn’t help that I have the world’s weakest bladder so definitely aisle seat for everyone’s sake haha.
Help Paraman and the Miss Universe Australia Finalists Make a Difference.
Paraman, along with the other Miss Universe Australia Finalists, have collectively raised over $500,000 to support ToyBox and its official 2025 charities Camp Quality, Ocean Heroes and Ronald McDonald House. You can donate now using the link below.
