Model Tahlia Giumelli a finalist in Miss Universe Australia

Gorgeous Tahlia Giumelli will be flying the flag for female empowerment when she competes as a finalist in Miss Universe Australia this week.

NSW Miss Universe Australia finalists (back l-r) Tasha Ross, Francesca Hung, Rosy Reilly, Ruby Compton, (front l-r) Jordy Simmonds, Emily Tokic and Tahlia Giumelli. Picture: Ian Currie

IN the wake of the #MeToo movement, the Miss Universe Australia finalists say the pageant is as relevant as ever.

“It (female empowerment) has always been a big part of the competition. The main point is about empowering us,” Tahlia Giumelli said.

Tahlia Giumelli says Miss Universe Australia is empowering. Picture: Jason McCawley

The Sydney model is among the seven finalists of this year’s Miss Universe Australia — the competition that launched the careers of Jennifer Hawkins, Erin McNaught and Laura Dundovic — to be decided in Melbourne on Thursday night.

Jennifer Hawkins shooting the Myer Spring Campaign. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Erin McNaught in a Lorna Jane campaign.

Laura Dundovic at the Witchery and Ovarian Cancer Research Foundation’s 10th Annual White Shirt Campaign. Picture: Jonathan Ng

And fellow NSW finalist Jordy Simmonds said keeping the swimsuit section in the wake of the Miss America pageant’s decision to scrap the segment was OK.

“I don’t think it is about being sexy, I think it is about showing the audience and judging your fitness,” Simmonds said.

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