Battle of beauties

Nadia Salemme

30Apr08

FABULOUS DARLING: Southbank's Naomi Foster is vying for the Miss Universe Crown. Picture: TONY GOUGH. N44ME201

HUNDREDS of Jennifer Hawkins wannabes are expected to strut their way to Miss Universe Australia's Melbourne cattle call today (April 30).

The pageant's national director Deborah Miller said auditions held in other states had been inundated with aspiring beauty queens.

"There has been more (interest) than in past years, with the profile of Jennifer Hawkins. More girls have applied wanting to follow in her footsteps," Ms Miller said.

"It's a platform for a career in television or modelling, that's what they want to get out of it."

Hawkins is the face of Myer and Covergirl, while former Miss Universe Australia Erin McNaught has landed a role in Neighbours.

Ms Miller, who has been involved in the Aussie leg of the pageant for a decade but is in her first year as director, said the contest was not just for models.

"We're getting girls who've never done competitions ... girls who work in the corporate world and want to do it for fun," she said.

Personality, not just beauty, is needed to make it in the battle for the Miss Universe Australia title.

"It's a combination of having good looks and a good social IQ," Ms Miller said.

But she said entrants had to cut it in bathers the swimsuit section of the global pageant makes up 30 per cent of their score.

"We ask girls we're interested in to put swimwear on (at the auditions) so we can have a look at them," Ms Miller said.

Southbank executive assistant Naomi Foster, 20, will be among the hopefuls at the try-outs in Toorak.

"I've been preparing for the questions I'll be asked, getting my hair and nails done," Ms Foster said.

She said she wanted to emulate 2004 Miss Universe Jennifer Hawkins.

"I'd like to do what she's doing," Ms Foster said.

The "crowning ceremony" to name Miss Universe Australia will be held in Melbourne on May 14. The winner will go on to compete in the global beauty contest.

http://www.melbourneleader.com.au