Miss Universe leaves Melbourne: ‘Sydney has the best of both worlds’

It’s the old battle between Sydney and Melbourne - which one is the best of the best? A former Miss Universe delivers her verdict. VOTE NOW

Take that, Melbourne: A former Miss Universe Australia has swapped the cultural capital for Sydney’s sunshine and “greater career opportunities”.

The move adds another intriguing chapter to the ongoing battle for bragging rights between the two cities.

“I moved to Melbourne from Perth six years ago to pursue acting, and fell into doing pageants, so that got put on the backburner,” Daria Varlamova said.

“I’m thinking Sydney is the place where I can rekindle that and give it another go.”

Miss Universe Australia 2021 Daria Varlamova has officially moved from Melbourne to Sydney. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

The 28-year-old commerce and psychotherapy graduate intends to use the coveted pageant title, which she claimed in 2021, as a launch pad for a multiplicity of careers.

“Melbourne got me to where I needed to be, but because I’m a WA girl, I really missed the sunshine and beaches,” she added.

Varlamova represewnted Australia at the 70th Miss Universe beauty pageant in Israel in 2021. Picture: Menahem Kahana

“I feel like Sydney has the best of both worlds: The good weather, and the hustle and bustle, and opportunities as well.”

“My primary focuses are presenting, and I want to get into governance and policy,” she told The Daily Telegraph.

The Russian-born, Perth-raised beauty queen is a proud ambassador for Special Olympics Australia and a former disability support worker.

“I’m also a passionate mental health advocate. I really want to focus more on that, and reform around mental health education in schools,” Varlamova said of her plan to partner with a non-profit like Black Dog Institute, R U OK?, or Headspace.

Daily Telegraph. 01, February, 2023. Miss Universe Australia 2021 Daria Varlamova has officially moved from Melbourne to Sydney, at Circular Quay today. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“I’m the older sister of two younger brothers. They’ve told me the school curriculum is changing to adapt to the current climate and the crisis of mental health, but there’s still so much more to be done.”

“Our therapy services are overwhelmed, so we need to give children and adolescents the coping tools necessary to grow into healthy functioning adults.”

Alongside that, she’s signed up with a modelling and talent agency in Sydney, after her “nerve wracking” solo move.

The end goal is to have a large platform which she can use to uplift and speak for the causes closest to her heart.