Zoe Creed is a woman on a mission. Crowned Miss Universe Australia 2024, Zoe’s journey over the past twelve months has been nothing short of remarkable.
Whether she’s advocating passionately for women’s health, inspiring audiences from the stage, launching multiple new businesses or mentoring the next wave of hopeful contestants, Zoe continues to make her mark.
We recently caught up with Zoe to chat about her year, the incredible experiences that came with the crown, and what exciting adventures lie just around the corner.
I remember standing there with my feet numb and my heart racing. Honestly, I already felt so content. Making it to the top two was such a huge achievement, and in that moment, I was genuinely at peace with whatever the outcome would be.
But when I heard my name announced, I felt this overwhelming surge of joy. I knew there was a chance I could win, but having that hope turn into reality, seeing all my hard work pay off, was more emotional than I ever expected.
I didn’t think I’d cry, but as soon as I saw my dad in tears, I just couldn’t hold it in. That moment will forever be one of the greatest of my life. It still plays over and over in my head, and I know it always will.
I had a pretty good sense of who I was when I entered the Miss Universe Australia program. I was confident in my values, my abilities, my passions, and the career path I was pursuing. But the woman who will be handing over the crown in a few days’ time is someone I never fully knew existed.
This experience didn’t just enhance who I was at the beginning, it opened doors to parts of myself I hadn’t yet explored. I discovered a love for the creative world behind the camera. Presenting and public speaking have become a huge part of how I express myself and share my passions.
My dedication to women’s health deepened, and I was able to advocate not just nationally, but globally. And above all, the confidence I have now is on a completely different level. I’ve always been a capable, self-assured woman, but this journey taught me there’s truly no reason to doubt yourself. The mind is such a powerful tool, and when you commit to something with everything you’ve got, absolutely anything is possible.
What surprised me most was just how many opportunities came my way, opportunities I likely never would’ve had if I hadn’t taken the leap into this program.
As I mentioned earlier, presenting and public speaking have become a huge part of my life. I’ve been fortunate enough to speak on important women’s health issues, host events, and work alongside some truly incredible people. That world might never have opened up to me without Miss Universe Australia.
This program has a beautiful way of surprising you in the best possible way. It challenges you, it pushes you, but it also excites you. And that combination is exactly what helps shape you into the woman you’re meant to become.
The biggest misconception about the Miss Universe Australia program is that it’s just a traditional pageant. It’s so much more than that.
Yes, it brings together beautiful women, but it also brings together women with drive, purpose, business acumen, and a deep desire to grow. The program gives you the chance to present yourself in a whole new light. You can’t rely on beauty alone, you have to lead with substance, passion, and authenticity.
I’ve always believed that beauty goes far beyond what you see on the outside. It lives in a woman’s heart, in her drive to become the best version of herself. Miss Universe Australia gives women the space to do exactly that, to be unapologetically beautiful, intelligent, and full of purpose.
Absolutely. This platform has been a powerful opportunity to open up, share my journey, and spark real, impactful conversations around women’s health.
In 2022, I launched Born Creed, an online women’s health platform that embodies everything I wish I’d had access to during my own struggle. It simplifies wellness with inspiring, accessible workouts and nutrition support, because I believe women’s health should be straightforward and sustainable, not overwhelming or unaffordable.
As my passion grew, I transitioned from studying Nutrition to a Bachelor of Health, with the aim of potentially studying Science in Nutrition and Dietetic Medicine. That shift allows me to support women with both medical and holistic solutions, meeting them wherever they are on their journey.
More recently, I faced my own health challenge: endometriosis surgery and a new diagnosis of interstitial cystitis. Knowing that 190 million women globally live with this condition, I’ve felt even more compelled to speak up. This platform gave me the space and the voice to do just that.
Aligned with my personal and professional path, I created Women’s Pain, Greater Purpose (WPGP), a social initiative tackling the dismissal and silence women often face in healthcare. Through our “She’ll Be Right” campaign, I am encouraging women to share their stories, challenge stigma, and demand that their pain be taken seriously.
Miss Universe Australia gave me a national and now global platform to say: women’s health matters. We deserve to be heard, supported, and empowered. And I won’t stop advocating until “she’ll be right” becomes “she is right.”
Absolutely. So many women have come forward sharing how deeply they relate to my story and how it’s inspired them to prioritise their own health and wellbeing.
It wasn’t until I launched Women’s Pain, Greater Purpose that I truly began to see the impact one voice can have, even within a small community. What started as me opening up about my own journey became a space for other women to feel seen, supported, and encouraged to take charge of their own health.
That connection, the shared stories, the mutual support has been incredibly powerful. It’s shown me that vulnerability truly can be a catalyst for change.
Mexico, hands down, was the biggest highlight of my entire reign. It’s not every day you get to say you spent a month in another country, alongside 135 incredible women from all around the world, each proudly representing their nation, all coming together to compete on one of the biggest stages in the world.
What made it so special wasn’t just the competition, it was the deep friendships I formed, the cultural connections, and the unforgettable memories that can only come from such a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I now have lifelong friends across the globe, and we share something so unique no one else will ever live that exact same journey again.
One of the most emotional and powerful moments for me was getting to compete in front of my entire family. They flew across the world to support me, and knowing they were in the audience, watching me walk the international Miss Universe stage alongside millions of people tuning in globally was a surreal, full-circle moment I’ll never forget. It was everything I had dreamed of and more.
It was such a surreal and hilarious way to step into my new role! I’d just been crowned Miss Universe Australia, and within hours I was being hosted by the one and only Grant Denyer on national television. I was still trying to take it all in, but walking onto that set and being surrounded by so much energy and humour instantly made me feel at ease.
Grant was an absolute blast to work with so warm and quick-witted. I didn’t really get a chance to overthink anything because the whole experience was so fast-paced and fun. I even got to “crown” a few of the panellists like Sam Pang, which was such a laugh. I think that moment was the perfect icebreaker for the year ahead. It reminded me to enjoy the chaos, not take myself too seriously, and just roll with it.
That night really set the tone for everything that followed saying yes to the moment, being present, and remembering that confidence often comes from letting go and just having fun.
My journey has been about evolving purposefully. From modelling at 15 and facing challenges like anorexia and endometriosis, to launching Born Creed and creating WPGP, every step has taught me resilience. Facing pain, stigma, and silence has shown me that confidence is built from persistence and self-belief, not just what you look like. Now, I know there’s truly no reason to doubt myself.
Firstly, embrace who you are on the inside and out. Stay curious, stay genuine. Use the role to make noise about something you care about whether it’s health, education, art, or sustainability. Build real connections, learn constantly, and lead with purpose. And remember, the crown doesn’t define you, you define how you wear it.
Absolutely! This next chapter is all about building and scaling the vision I’ve been crafting both in the wellness space and now, excitingly, in the creative industry too.
I’m continuing to grow Born Creed, my women’s health platform, which has been such a big part of my journey. It’s rooted in my own experiences and the gap I felt existed in truly accessible, straightforward wellness. Through fitness, nutrition, and education, we’re creating a space where women can reclaim their health with confidence and clarity.
On top of that, I’ve recently launched a new business with my best friend Lauren, called Something Interesting Creative & Co a marketing agency that embodies all things creative. Our focus is built around the three Cs: Conversation, Curation, and Creation. We’re passionate about working with brands to bring meaningful, visually impactful ideas to life, whether it’s through content strategy, storytelling, or full campaign development. It’s a space where creativity meets purpose, and we’re just getting started.
So yes this season is definitely all about business, but more than that, it’s about using my platforms to empower, inspire, and create things that actually matter.
That vulnerability is a powerful asset. Sharing my own health journey opened doors to authentic connection, community building, and real impact. It taught me that business built on purpose not just product wins trust, momentum, and longevity. Turning pain into purpose has been the most meaningful business decision I’ve made.
I honestly don’t think I could ever put into words just how grateful I am for the unwavering support I’ve received not just throughout the competition, but every single day since being crowned. This journey has been wild, emotional, empowering and incredibly humbling, and I’ve never once felt alone in it.
To my beautiful family and friends — thank you for being my constant rock and my safe space. Your encouragement and love has been the anchor through every experience.
To Soph and Troy thank you for not only guiding me through this journey but for welcoming me into the Miss Universe Australia and your own family with open arms. Your belief in me has meant the world.
And to every sponsor who’s supported me along the way thank you for investing in my vision and helping bring it to life. Without your support, none of this would’ve been possible.
The message I want to leave with everyone is simple: I am forever thankful. This chapter has changed my life in ways I never could’ve imagined, and I’ll carry this experience — and all of you — with me, always.
A special thank you to Zoe, the Miss Universe Australia team, Eleanor Baillieu, and Hoiana Resort & Golf for their incredible work and support on this shoot.
