How did you become interested in pageants?
I was looking for a way to push through my insecurities and challenge myself to truly believe that I like who I am, and decided that pageants would be a good way to start. Little did I know that they would teach me more about myself than I ever thought possible and made me realise it isn’t about liking every single thing about yourself, it is about being completely self-aware and accepting the good with the bad and to never stop striving to improve on who you are physically, mentally and emotionally.
How does it feel to represent Australia in Miss World 2014?
Unbelievable! It is a feeling I don’t even know how to explain. It is a mix of excitement, pride, nerves and gratitude with a little bit of pressure all mixed into one strange but amazing feeling! More than anything I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to represent my country in something I have worked so hard for.
Tell me about your country and why we should visit it?
I think it is quite common knowledge around the world that Australia is blessed with some of the most beautiful landscapes imaginable. From our beaches and tropical weather, to buzzing city centres, our iconic outback bushland to colourful desserts, Australia has so much to show. I truly think it is the Australian people that make it the country I love! Australian’s are always up for some fun, a bit of a laugh and embrace everyone like a friend.
When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
As strange as it is for an eight year old to aspire to, I always wanted to be a judge. As I grew up that then changed and I instead decided to study Primary Education followed by Journalism and PR, but I have every intention of studying law in the future, not to become a judge, but because I truly enjoy learning and developing myself, and it is an area that I have always been interested in.
What are your strengths and weaknesses?
One of my strengths would be my ability to relate to people from all different walks of life. I genuinely enjoy connecting with people from different backgrounds and getting to know more about them and theirstory. Whilst I also consider it one of my strengths, at times my sense of loyalty can also be one of my weaknesses.
Give three adjectives that your friends would describe you.
I decided to go to the straight to the source to answer this one to provide an accurate answer which sparked quite an amusing conversation that went a little something like this:
“Dedicated”
“Dedicated and ambitious”
“Sparkly and stylish”
“Defs sparkly!”
“Poised and passionate”
“Sparkly I like!!!”
“Poised is great too”
“Love poised”
So from what I can gather, sparkly, poised and dedicated are the three most common.
What do you see when you look in the mirror?
I see someone that has worked hard, doesn’t give up, has a good heart and at the moment a great tan!
How do you measure success?
To me success is similar to the concept of “tomorrow never comes”. I think everyone, me included, is so focused on this idea of being successful that we never stop to look at what we have accomplished, learnt and experienced along the way, and often times it is those elements that define us and make us who we are. So to me, progress is success. It is focusing on growing, developing, learning and improving every day.
How do you handle criticism?
I welcome constructive criticism. I am only human and while I don’t know if anyone actually enjoys being criticised, I think it’s important to take it on board to help me grow.
If you were to come back as an animal in the next life, what would you be and why?
Like the saying goes, it’s a dog’s life! I have two dogs and when they aren’t spending the day being pampered by me, they are always there by my side and have traits that I wish more humans had.
Name three pet peeves.
People chewing ice cubes
Sand in my bed
Arrogance
What will you never do?
I will never let anyone tell me that my dreams are too big.
Got any favourite reality shows?
Most people tell me I shouldn’t admit this, but I am a proud Real Housewives of Beverly Hills fan!
True or False: People who are attractive tend to be more successful.
I think people who have the confidence to believe they are attractive are definitely more successful. I think there is a sparkle about people who truly accept and like themselves for who they are, they are optimistic, confident and assured. I believe it is those traits that make people successful.
Do you have a problem saying "no"?
No- case and point! I have to admit I do sometimes struggle to say no if someone asks me for a favour or for help, but I am trying to learn to only offer as much as I am able to give and not over commit myself.
Describe a romantic date.
I can’t help but think of Miss Congeniality when reading this one! I think the perfect romantic date would be a little sentimental. Little special details mean so much more to me than big over the top gestures that anyone could do.
Your craziest or funniest tweet so far.
I recently received a marriage proposal over twitter! That would definitely take the cake as the both the craziest and the funniest. I can only hope that when my future husband proposes to me that he is able to top the ‘romanticness’ that is a twitter proposal!
You are going to compete at Miss World this year. Aside from winning the pageant, what do you wish to accomplish in the said competition?
I want to make myself proud. I am often very focused on making sure I make everyone else proud, so for me I will feel like I accomplished a lot if I am able to look back on the experience and know that I did everything to the very best of my ability, right through from my preparations to all the events that will take place in London, and genuinely feel proud of myself.
Why do you want to be the next Miss World?
As a Primary Educator, working with children has been a big part of my life. It would be an incredible opportunity for me to be able to work with such a strong international fundraising organisation such as Miss World, who are so focused on the work they do with children, and would enable me to continue to make a difference on a larger scale. It would also be a great way for me to pursue my acting and presenting interests.
Courtney's Favorites
Favorite Music: I like anything I know the words to!
Favorite Musical Artist/Entertainer: Michael Buble
Favorite Movies: "My Best Friend’s Wedding" I think I have probably set a world record after how many times I have watched this movie!
Favorite Actor: Steve Carrell
Favorite Actress: Jennifer Aniston
Favorite Author: Some of my favourite childhood memories were spent being taken away to the magical land of Hogwarts and spending hours upon hours with Harry, Ron and Hermione and over ten years later J.K Rowling still allows me to escape into my imagination.
Favorite Book: The Diary of Anne Frank
Favorite Flower: Gardenias, because when they blossom in Australia it always means that Christmas is close!
Favorite Perfume: Roberto Cavalli
Favorite Fashion Designer:This one is always tough for me! I worked as a stylist for a number of years so picking just one is tricky. I love our Australian designers and I think Lisa Brown never fails to produce pieces that I am desperate to have in my wardrobe and being a pageant girl I can never go past a Belluccio gown!
Favorite Vegetable: My Nana used to grow snow peas when I was little and they have been my favourite ever since
Favorite Proverb:You can’t be responsible for someone else’s actions, but you are responsible for your reactions.
What is your message to all your Critical Beauty fans who are supporting you?
I am so humbled and overwhelmed by all of the support I have already received. I can’t express how much it means to me to have you all behind me and believing that I can do this! I can promise you all that when I am up on stage at Miss World 2014, it will be all of you that I am smiling at.
Photography by Elizabeth GrinterInterview conducted by David Natanawan
