Women prepare for Miss Universe Aust final
There are no Miss Congeniality antics to see here.
It's been a decade since Jennifer Hawkins went from Aussie cheerleader to Miss Universe and on Friday a group of young women hoping to follow in her footsteps will strut their stuff in Melbourne.
Around 30 competitors will be put through their paces in the swimwear, evening dress and question and answer rounds at the Miss Universe Australia national final.
One of the seven finalists from Victoria, Alex Hecker of Geelong, says images of backstage bitchy mayhem are way off the mark.
"I haven't seen any (bitchiness) so far - no gown ripping, or cutting of shoes or pulling of hair," she smiles over her hot chocolate before the big event.
"Everyone means well and we are all in the same position."
Hecker is an ambassador for Country Racing Victoria and works at her local supermarket to help pay the bills for to keep her beloved horses.
Studying a Masters of Cultural Heritage, Hecker has a particular interest in indigenous culture and hopes to visit the village of Manya in Uganda soon.
Hecker is used to being in the public eye through involvement in various Fashions on the Field racing events and charity work.
But the 23-year-old says entering Miss Universe Australia has further boosted her confidence.
"You have got to be confident," she says.
"It has definitely made me a lot more confident just in every day life."
But despite her confidence, Hecker says expects to be nervous when it's her time to shine on stage.
"When you are being judged it's nerve-racking," she says.
"People would be lying if they said they weren't nervous.
"It's nerve-racking getting up there and having hundreds of eyes staring at you, especially when you are standing there in a bikini or trying to answer a question ... and everyone is trying to answer it better in their heads."
Hecker hopes to break into television presenting or acting and notes Miss Universe Australia has launched the careers of Hawkins, Rachael Finch and Jesinta Campbell.
"It's an excellent competition for young women and their image because they don't promote skinny, they judge more on healthy bodies and fit bodies rather than the skinny, bony runway models that we see."
The young woman who is crowed Miss Universe Australia will represent the nation at the international final later this year at a venue yet to be confirmed.
She will also win an $8000 wardrobe, $2000 portfolio photoshoot and professional representation for her 12-month reign.
"There is not one girl who has gotten through so far who is not intelligent and strong and beautiful," Hecker says.
"(But) you can't go into a competition like this thinking you are going to win because, chances are, you probably won't, so you have just got to ride the journey."
Miss Universe began as a local swim suit contest in Long Beach, California in 1952.
The Miss Universe Organisation, a partnership between NBC and business magnate Donald Trump, has run the contest since 2002.
