NRL cheerleader, lawyer, top models: The Miss World Australia frontrunners revealed

After a two-year pause the Miss World Australia crowning ceremony will be held at Palazzo Versace on Friday after a week of challenges. Meet the contenders vying for the crown.

The next Miss World Australia is set to be named in a crowning ceremony two years in the making.

After the 2020 and 2021 events were put on hold due to the global pandemic, a group of national finalists have finally gathered on the Gold Coast this week to compete for the title, with the winner to be named during a glitzy gala event at Palazzo Versace on Friday night.

It comes following a week of challenges to secure a coveted spot in the top 10.

SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE FINALISTS FROM YOUR STATE

Winner of talent and top model is Lily Rose Munivrana from Victoria ahead of the Miss World Australia national final, being held at Palazzo Versace on Friday. Photo: Adam Head

Lily Rose Munivrana, of Victoria, was an early frontrunner, winning both the top model and talent challenges at Palazzo Versace on Tuesday.

She has been dancing since she was 13 when she was offered a dance scholarship to Joffrey Ballet in San Francisco and has since worked as model on runways at Los Angeles Fashion Week and Nevada Valley of Fire.

Selina McCloskey, a model and student from Newcastle, also advanced to the top 10 after winning the social media challenge. While she is now studying innovation and entrepreneurship, McCloskey previously played college basketball in Texas and Kansas.

Winner of social media Selina McCloskey from NSW. Photo: Adam Head

Queensland’s Emma Healy, who works as a lighting technician, took out the sport challenge on Wednesday, a Ninja Warrior course with EMF Performance Centre, while fellow Queenslanders Paris Bedford and Rowena Peterson were named charity winners.

Peterson danced at Disneyland in Paris when she was 11 and was a cheerleader for the Cairns Taipans basketball team.

Emmy Healy of Queensland won the sport challenge.

Rowena Petersen of QLD was named a charity winner

Other notable entrants include NRL cheerleader Letitia Walker, 20, who is in her third season with the Canterbury Bulldogs while also working on her own art business, Sketch Paint Social, which focuses on art therapy, individuals, groups, and people with disabilities.

Ruby Schofield, a survivor of assault and advocate for the protection of women and children, has flown back from Los Angeles for the crowning ceremony.

Meanwhile Tasmania’s Abbie Freeman is advocating for greater diversity and acceptance, having been diagnosed with autism at three years old and suffering severe bullying throughout her schooling.

“Acceptance from others and even from myself is not something that comes easily, I have accepted that I have Autism, I don’t let it define me. I want acceptance for everyone,” she said.

Letitia Walker of NSW is a finalist for Miss World Australia

Abbie Jai Freeman of Tasmania is a finalist for Miss World Australia

2022 MISS WORLD AUSTRALIA FINALISTS

VICTORIA

Demi Djemal

Full time student studying Psychology. Small business owner making personalised artwork

Kristen Wright

Studying Biomedical science. Speciality scuba diving instructor with over 36 certifications and was one of the youngest instructors to be certified in Victoria.

Demi Djemal of Victoria

Kristen Wright of Victoria

Lily Rose Munivrana

At the age of thirteen she decided to start a full time dancing career where she was offered a full summer intensive dance scholarship to Joffrey Ballet in San Francisco. Started working as a professional model at the age of fifteen. Walked the runway in Los Angeles Fashion Week. Was booked to model in Nevada Valley of Fire.

Rebecca Watson

Early childhood educator from the coastal town of Ocean Grove.

Rebecca Watson of Victoria

Annette Sindiga of Victoria

Annette Sindiga

Works full time in the Australian Defence Force as a military police. Fluently speaks 4 languages.

Clara Momesso

Marketing Executive who has started her own business.

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Cydney Coleman

Is a dual citizen of Denmark and Australia, travelled from Denmark this week to be involved in the Crowning Ceremony. Worked in the frontline with Covid-19 during the pandemic

Clara Momesso of Victoria

Cydney Coleman of WA

QUEENSLAND

Alicia Hill

Professional dancer, was the under 12 World Ballet Champion aged 11, was in Australian Ballet for three years.

Breanna Monck

Has completed volunteer trips to Vanuatu and USA. Is a pharmacy student who would like to become a hospital pharmacist

Emma Healy

Graduated high school aged 16 due to advanced academic placement. Works in technical production as a lighting technician.

Alicia Hill of QLD

Breanna Monck of QLD

Laurien Wynne

Works in a top tier law firm as a secretary while studying a double degree in Business and Communications.

Mary Holmes

Was born in the UK and moved to Darwin aged 13. Has experienced anxiety and depression, which has led her to study Psychological science in order to be able to help others.

Laurien Wynne of QLD

Mary Holmes of QLD

Rowena Petersen

Danced at Disneyland Paris at age 11, was a cheerleader for the Taipans Basketball team.

Paris Bedford

Works as the head Horticulturist at the five-star resort Qualia in Hamilton Island. Travelled around Australia in a campervan and moved to the UK aged 18.

Tatum Bianca Marais

Born in South Africa, immigrated to Australia in 2005 for safety. Is a youth worker and wellbeing support officer.

Paris Bedford of QLD was a charity winner

Tatum Bianca Marais of QLD

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Taydam Knowles

Works as a presenter and general manager for South Australias largest youth platform, the Adelaide Set.

TASMANIA

Kimberley Odgers

Member engagement manager for Engineers Australia. Is a novice indoor rock climber

Abbie Jai Freeman

Young autistic woman who suffered sever bullying in the form of verbal and physical abuse at school

Taydam Knowles of SA

Kimberley Odgers of Tasmania is a finalist for Miss World Australia

NEW SOUTH WALES

Ruby Schofield

Works as a professional model and presenter in LA. Survivor of assault, wishes to advocate for young women who have also experience sexual assault.

Selina McCloskey

Model and student from Newcastle who is currently studying a Bachelor of Innovation and Entrepreneurship. She achieved academic scholarships throughout her schooling and played college basketball in Texas and Kansas. She also attended a deaf and blind preschool to be able to help others and learn to value what she has.

Ruby Schofield of NSW

Emma Hunt of NSW is a finalist for Miss World Australia

Letitia Walker

NRL cheerleader in her third season with the Canterbury Bulldogs. When not cheerleading she is working/teaching at Pinot and Picasso while also creating her own art business, Sketch Paint Social, which focuses on art therapy, individuals, groups, and people with disabilities.

Emma Hunt

Works as an audio engineer, writes and produces music.