The point when Francesca Hung ventures up to the platform at Miss Universe global rivalry not long from now speaking to Australia, she will think outside the box in some ways.
The little girl of a Chinese dad and Irish-Australian mother, Ms Hung concedes she doesn’t look like Australian champs.
“I think internationally everybody has an idea of what Miss Australia should look like,” the 24-year-old told SBS News.
“And I think it will be a little bit of a shock to everyone when a blonde hair, blue-eyed girl doesn’t walk out.
“I guess looking at your past winners – Jesinta Franklin, Rachael Finch and Jennifer Hawkins - I used to think that was the typical Australian girl that everyone wanted to be and look”
Miss Hung beat 31 ladies at the event in Melbourne on Thursday to take Miss Universe Australia crown.
The win shocked Sydney-raised model. She says she didn’t hope to endure state adjusts not to mention best spot.
Experiencing childhood in Sydney’s northern shorelines, Ms Hung says she battled with her personality in a generally “white” suburb.
“I felt like, sort of different, a little bit embarrassed by my cultural heritage growing up,” she says.
“And now it’s something that I embrace and I’m so happy to be different. I want to really inspire and be a role model for any multicultural kid growing up.”
“Once she became the face of David Jones that definitely changed things for models with a multicultural background.”
She trusts that the world pays heed to the ‘genuine’ multicultural Australia when she speaks to her nation at the Miss Universe exhibition this year.
“I think it will be really good for other counties to see that we are such a diverse country and forward thinking.”
Diane Robinson is the lead editor for News Australia Today. Diane has been working as a freelance journalist for nearly a decade having published stories in many print and digital publications including, Sydney Morning Herald, NPR and The Daily Mail. Diane is based in Sidney and covers issues affecting her city and New South Wales. When she’s not busy writing, Diane enjoys surfing..