It’s that exciting time of year again! We’re chatting with Tess Homann of New South Wales, one of the 28 remarkable and accomplished women from diverse backgrounds vying for the title of Miss Universe Australia 2024. The winner is set to be crowned in the Grand Ballroom at Crown Perth on the 5th of September.

So, Tess, why don’t you start by telling us a bit about yourself?

Hi! I’m Tess, I’m originally from Melbourne and now living by the beach in Sydney.

I grew up as a bit of a tomboy on a little farm with lots of animals and motorbikes. I now have a little toy cavoodle named Winnie who is just the most beautiful little thing!

I studied Business and Public Relations at RMIT after high school and then fell into modelling. Modelling has been such an amazing experience as it’s allowed me to meet so many incredibly different people and see more of the world.

I would describe myself as light-hearted, down-to-earth, compassionate, and passionate. I always strive to make the most of the small things in life and do what I can to enjoy every day, as every day is a blessing!

What inspired you to take the leap and enter Miss Universe Australia?

I really wanted to try something out of my comfort zone and do something new. I knew the program would be an amazing opportunity to meet driven women, get creative, and leave the year feeling a better version of myself, which really excited me!

As part of the program, you had the amazing opportunity to travel to Vietnam, courtesy of Vietjet, and stay at the beautiful Hoiana Resort. How was that experience for you?

Hoiana Resort & Golf is one of the most beautiful and extravagant places I’ve stayed. The welcoming staff, amenities like the pool and spa, restaurants and food, and the hotel rooms were absolutely above and beyond.

It was first and foremost an amazing opportunity to get to know all the girls and the MUA team. We also got involved in some fantastic activities and workshops, like Vietnamese cooking classes, which were super fun.

What would you say was the highlight of the trip?

I absolutely loved working with the performing arts school NIDA; that would have to be my highlight. We did some public speaking exercises which can be quite nerve-racking, but I think we all really surprised ourselves and grew a little from the sessions, which was really cool. The beachside buffet lunches were also pretty great, haha.

Can you describe an experience in Vietnam that pushed you out of your comfort zone?

The NIDA and walking classes were definitely out of my comfort zone. I can be a little shy with those things; however, it was such a confidence-building experience and we all improved so much.

Your next question comes from our current Miss Universe Australia, Moraya Wilson. Imagine you’re standing on stage with the title of Miss Universe Australia 2024. What advice would you give to your younger self?

To take chances and not worry about what anyone else is going to think. We are never going to regret the chances we take, just the ones we don’t.

With everyone bringing their own unique flair to the program, what would you say sets you apart from the other contestants?

This is a challenging question 🙂 Everyone is extremely unique, which is the best part about it. I wouldn’t say this sets me apart from the other finalists as everyone is amazing. However, I feel I’ve experienced a fair bit of life at this point and I don’t think I was ready for this a few years ago. Having ups and downs is part of self-growth, and I’m now really sure of who I am and am ready to continue improving every day to be the best person I can be to myself and others around me.

What’s something about you that people might find surprising?

I find people get a little surprised when they know I grew up as a farm girl and my laid-back nature. I can be depicted as a bit of a city slicker!

If you could work on any dream project, with no limits on time or resources, what would it be?

I have a few really big passions. I would love to build filtered water resources in third-world countries and help combat homelessness among families and children. I really believe everyone should have access to clean water and a roof over their head. It’s very upsetting that some people can have so much while others have so little.

We have a few quick questions to wrap up the interview:

If you could instantly master any skill, what would it be and why?
Public speaking; communication is arguably the most powerful thing we can do to share information, help others, and create change.

What’s the most adventurous thing you’ve ever done?
I’m honestly such a big homebody, so I’d have to say the most adventurous thing I’ve done is travel by myself for work. Biting the bullet and flying to countries like America and Indonesia for modelling was a pretty scary, yet rewarding experience.

Do you have a guilty pleasure that you enjoy?
Not really! We don’t need to feel guilty about chocolate and a bit of R&R, haha. I am a big lover of bread and butter, though—that’s my weakness!

If you could have any superpower for a day, what would it be and how would you use it?
Teleport! I’d love to be able to see more of the world and have my own strong understanding of the world and what’s happening in it. I would use this to speak up based on my own facts and try to make a positive impact where I can.

Help Tess and the Miss Universe Australia Finalists Make a Difference

Tess, along with the other Miss Universe Australia Finalists, have collectively raised over $500,000 to support ToyBox and its official 2024 charities: Camp Quality and Ronald McDonald House. You can donate now using the link below.

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