Today we’re chatting with Sophie Trayner 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 Sophie, why don’t you start by telling us a bit about yourself?
Hi, I’m Sophie. I’m a 22-year-old Diagnostic Radiographer working full-time in a private hospital in Newcastle, and I’m originally from a small regional town in North Queensland.
Growing up on a sugarcane property shaped so much of who I am. It gave me a love for the outdoors, adventure, resilience, and an appreciation for community. I’ve always been someone who loves trying new things and challenging myself, whether that’s through my career, travelling, or stepping onto a stage.
The performing arts have been a huge part of my life since I was young. I started musical theatre when I was five years old, and I’ve always loved singing, dancing, acting, and connecting with an audience.
My career in healthcare has also given me a strong sense of purpose. Through working with patients, as well as my own experience with endometriosis, I’ve developed a passion for women’s health and ensuring women feel listened to, supported, and empowered to maintain autonomy over their own bodies.
Outside of work, I’m happiest near the ocean — surfing, exploring new places, and enjoying everything the outdoors has to offer.
What inspired you to take the leap and enter Miss Universe Australia?
I think it was a combination of wanting to challenge myself and wanting to create a platform for things that genuinely matter to me.
I’ve always loved performing and being on stage, but Miss Universe Australia felt like an opportunity to combine that passion with my values and experiences.
Working in healthcare has shown me how important compassion, communication, and advocacy are, and my own experience with endometriosis has made women’s health a cause I feel deeply connected to. I wanted to be part of something where I could inspire others, share my story, and encourage women to feel confident chasing opportunities they, like I once did, may not have thought were possible.
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?
It was honestly such a surreal experience. Vietnam is a place I’ve always loved visiting, but being able to experience it through the Miss Universe Australia program was something completely new and incredibly exciting.
Being surrounded by such inspiring women, staying somewhere as beautiful as Mövenpick Resort Cam Ranh, and having the opportunity to create those memories together made it really special. It was a chance to step away from everyday life, embrace the experience, and appreciate how far this journey can take you.
What made it even more meaningful was sharing the experience with the other girls. I often travel and backpack through Asia solo, which I absolutely love, but there was something really refreshing about experiencing a new place alongside other women who were on the same journey.
Getting to know women from different backgrounds, hearing their stories, and creating friendships throughout the trip made the experience even more special. It reminded me that while travelling alone teaches you independence, shared experiences create some of the most memorable moments.
What’s one moment from the trip you don’t think you’ll ever forget?
One moment that stands out was going for a sunrise swim in the ocean. It was such a simple moment, but being in the water, watching the sun come up, and taking a moment to appreciate where I was felt really special. It reminded me to slow down and enjoy the experience rather than just focus on what was next.
I do also have to mention the breakfast buffet — I don’t think I’ve ever been so full! It became one of those little memories we all laughed about and looked forward to each morning.
I’ve always dreamed of combining my love for travel with my passions — connecting with people, learning from different cultures, challenging myself, and creating experiences that allow me to grow. Being able to do that through the Miss Universe Australia program was incredibly special, especially alongside such inspiring women.
Honestly, it was those simple moments with the girls that made the trip something I’ll never forget.
As part of the trip, you also took part in your official swimwear shoot with Unnecessary. What was the experience like?
It was such a fun and empowering experience. I’ve always loved being creative and performing, so being in front of the camera has always been something I really enjoy. I love being able to express different sides of my personality through modelling and storytelling.
My theme for the shoot was “Splash,” which felt really fitting because it brought together so many things I love — the ocean, movement, and a sense of adventure. I can’t reveal too much yet, but the shoreline location was incredible and honestly felt like the perfect setting for the concept.
I felt really comfortable shooting in Unnecessary swimwear, and the whole team made it such an enjoyable experience. They created a relaxed environment where I could have fun, be myself, and really let my personality come through.
I loved that the shoot wasn’t just about the final images — it was about self-expression and bringing your own energy and individuality to the moment.
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?
A belief I’ve changed my perspective on recently is that you have to feel completely ready before taking on a new opportunity.
For a long time, I thought I needed to reach a certain point, have everything figured out, or become a more polished version of myself before stepping into something like Miss Universe Australia. I actually waited until I graduated before applying because I felt like I needed more time to grow and change.
I actually started to shift this perspective after seeing Lexie Brant’s journey with Miss Universe Australia. Knowing she was also pursuing a career in allied health showed me that you don’t have to choose between having a meaningful career and chasing creative opportunities — you can bring different parts of yourself together.
What I’ve now realised is that growth is something that never really stops. We’re constantly learning, evolving, and becoming better versions of ourselves, and sometimes you have to take the opportunity first and allow yourself to grow through the experience.
Entering Miss Universe Australia has reminded me that confidence often comes after you take the leap, not before.
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’ve never felt like I needed to fit into one box — I’ve always wanted/needed to create my own path, and I think that’s something Miss Universe Australia really celebrates.
I’m a Medical Radiation Scientist, but I’ve also always had a creative side through musical theatre, modelling, and performing. I love travelling, meeting people from different backgrounds, and throwing myself into experiences that push me outside my comfort zone. Those experiences have taught me how to communicate, empathise, and adapt to different environments.
I’m also naturally very extroverted. I love making people laugh, and I think I bring a lot of positive energy wherever I go. In Vietnam, I had the girls laughing so hard in the immigration queue that they literally told me to stop talking because we were convinced the immigration officers would think we were being suspicious!
At the end of the day, I think what really sets me apart is that I genuinely love connecting with people. Whether I’m caring for a patient, performing on stage, travelling somewhere new, or meeting someone for the first time, I want people to feel comfortable, included, and leave with a smile.
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 complete the Annapurna Base Camp Trek in Nepal.
My dad actually completed the trek when he was also 22, and he still talks about it as one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of his life. Hearing him talk about trekking through the Himalayas, meeting people along the way, and how much the experience changed his perspective has always stayed with me.
I’ve always been drawn to experiences that challenge me physically and mentally, and the idea of pushing myself through a trek like this really excites me. I think completing it at the same age my dad did would be a really special way to create my own memories while also sharing a connection with his experience.
For me, travelling has never just been about seeing new places — it’s about learning from different cultures, stepping outside my comfort zone, and coming home with a new perspective.
If you could work on any dream project, with no limits on time or resources, what would it be?
My dream project would be creating an allied health clinic in a rural, underserved coastal community, combining my passion for women’s health with my love for the ocean and the outdoors.
Growing up in rural North Queensland, I was lucky to be raised in a family that always valued giving back. My parents have always been heavily involved in the community, particularly through Rotary, and I grew up volunteering alongside them. Those experiences shaped the way I see the world and taught me the importance of inclusion, compassion, and ensuring everyone feels valued and supported.
I’ve always dreamed of doing aid work overseas and using my skills to make a meaningful difference. Through my career in healthcare, as well as my own experience with endometriosis, I’ve developed a strong passion for women’s health and improving access to equitable healthcare.
I’m drawn to places like the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Indonesia because of their incredible communities, connection to nature, food, and the ocean. Being able to combine my ever-growing knowledge in healthcare, my passion for helping others, and my love of the outdoors would truly be a dream.
If 2026 had a theme song, what would it be?
Probably “Baby Steps” by Olivia Dean. It was a song that stayed with me (as it was stuck in my head, thanks TikTok) during the Vietnam trip, especially in those little moments getting ready with the girls. I think it represents where I am in life right now — learning to trust the journey, celebrate my own growth, and love myself for who I am while continuing to become the best version of myself.
What’s the most “you” thing currently sitting in your camera roll?
Honestly, my camera roll is a little chaotic. It’s a mix of everything I love — random things I’ve tried while travelling, like eating chargrilled grubs in Cambodia, surfing in Sri Lanka, adrenaline junkie adventures I’ve done to scare my mum, like paragliding in Laos, hiking adventures like Mount Doom in New Zealand, glamorous modelling shots, and interesting pathology cases I’ve seen through my work in radiography.
I think my camera roll is probably the best reflection of me — I’m curious, I love exploring new places, I enjoy pushing myself outside my comfort zone, and I’m always finding something new to learn or experience.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever ignored?
“If you get tired, learn to rest, not to quit” – BANKSY
This is advice I’ve probably ignored more times than I should have. I’ve always been someone who wants to give my best, take on new opportunities, and keep pushing myself, so my natural instinct has always been to keep going.
Especially over the past year, balancing working full-time, travelling, modelling, and now being part of Miss Universe Australia, I’ve had to learn the hard way that slowing down doesn’t mean giving up.
I’ve realised that rest isn’t a sign of weakness — it’s what allows you to keep showing up as your best self. Taking time to recharge has helped me come back stronger, stay present, and continue pursuing the things I’m passionate about.
I’m naturally quite an extroverted person, so I’ve also learnt the importance of making time for the people who support me. My friends and family have been such a huge part of this journey, and I’ll never take for granted how much they encourage and celebrate me.
What’s a completely useless or funny talent you have that you’re weirdly proud of?
Growing up on a property, I learnt how to water divine to find underground water sources with old fencing wire. It’s probably not the first thing people would guess about me, and it’s definitely not something that comes up in everyday conversation, but it’s a unique little skill I’m strangely proud of!
