Australia Wins Miss Universe

People Forum

Aussie wins Miss Universe
June 2, 2004

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Picture: Reuters

Miss Australia Jennifer Hawkins has been crowned Miss Universe in front of a crowd of 7500 in Ecuador.

Hawkins, 20, a Bondi-based model and former Newcastle Knights NRL team cheerleader, is Australia's first winner in the competition since 1972.

Hawkins received the crown from outgoing Miss Universe 2003, Amelia Vega, from the Dominican Republic, and then walked down the runway, smiling and waving to the cheering crowd.

The finalists were announced after 10 semifinalists paraded in swimsuits before the crowd.

First runner-up was Miss USA Shandi Finnessey. Hawkins and Finnessey hugged before the winner was announced.

The three other finalists were Miss Puerto Rico Alba Reyes, Miss Paraguay Yanina Gonzalez, and Miss Trinidad & Tobago Danielle Jones.

Hawkins' interests were listed as surfing, wakeboarding, camping with family, watching football with her father, reading, watching movies and going to the ballet.

Hawkins' family said today they could not believe her success and were excited for her.

Her mother Gail was waiting at the family's Newcastle home for news of the results today, and said she was excited for her daughter.

"I can't believe it, I just cannot believe it," she told AAP.

"I just wish I was there to give her a big cuddle. I don't know how I feel.

"It's really hard to believe. I wonder if it's sunk in with her yet. I don't think she realises the attention she has gotten here.

"Our contact has been limited I have a little list of things I want to ask her. I can't wait to see her and talk about it.

"We're all so proud and so excited for her."

- Agencies

Does... does this mean I'm beautiful?


I really don't think she looks wonderful... I mean, isn't Miss Universe supposed to be the most perfect girl in the world or something?

Come on Gaboman. You know that Beauty Pagents aren't about only looks. It's about other things, like ... umm, well you see, .... they umm, ...................

I saw Miss Congeniality, I know what it's all about. Can't fool me.

Miss Congenialty I love that movie!!!

This year's Ms Universe competition was a little fixed. I mean, where was Ms. Mars, Ms. Venus, Ms. Vulcan, and Ms. Alpha Centari 5? Rigged!

-HECK!

Miss Uni's skirt falls off

JENNIFER Hawkins, Australia's own down-to-earth beauty queen, handled one of the worst "wardrobe malfunctions" ever seen with great poise last night.

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Brief moment ... Jennifer Hawkins reveals more than she bargined for.

In a shocking scene, the bottom section of a stunning blue-and-gold gown Hawkins was modelling for a packed crowd fell down around her ankles.

Despite having been on the Miss Universe world circuit for just two months, Hawkins handled the disastrous moment perfectly.

When she realised she was exposed from the waist down, she didn't panic or try to fix it, she simply turned on her stilettos and cruised off stage.

Hawkins scored a 10 out of 10 for courage under fire, with those in the crowd saying she simply laughed the incident off and just 15 minutes later she was still smiling as she exited.

The bottom section of her stunning dress, which was split at the waist, caught on her stiletto while Hawkins was on stage for a promotional event at Westfield Miranda as part of her whirlwind Australian tour.

A man in the crowd said she appeared to trip as she turned away from the crowd.

"She came and said a few words and she went to walk off and seemed to trip on her dress," the man said last night.

"The dress fell about her knees, she giggled and then rushed off."

Another witness in the crowd said Hawkins was still smiling as she left the centre, just before 8pm.

"She looked happy, she was still smiling and waving as she left with her minders," he said.

Hawkins returns to Newcastle today for a civic reception.

It is the first time the beauty queen has been to her hometown since she was crowned on June 1.

The busy timetable has left little time for the former Newcastle Knights cheergirl to see her boyfriend Jake Wall.

Hawko and Wall, a builder-turned-model, were photographed together for the first time since her return to Australia at a welcome home party on Wednesday night.

"She has to do a lot of official stuff," Wall told Confidential at the party.

"There's a lot of media attention, but we do get to spend a bit of time together.

The Daily Telegraph

Poor thing, you could see she was embarrassed, but she handled it really well. 10 points for that!

Yea you really have to give it to her for that. I would have been beyond embaressment