Rachael Evren named as Miss World Australia National finalist
A former Love Island contestant says she is as shocked as anyone to make a pageantry comeback because of her sleeve of tattoos, reality TV stint and unique hobbies. Watch here.
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A former Love Island contestant says she was surprised she was able to make her pageantry comeback because of her sleeve of tattoos, recent profession and unique hobbies.
Rachael Evren, 23, was recently named as a Miss World Australia National Finalist after a four-year break from competing.
Ms Evren said she had been involved in the pageantry world for over 12 years, winning several titles including International Teen in 2019.
She said because of her past as a Love Island contestant and career as a content creator, she no longer believed she would fit the pageantry mould.
“Instead of letting the industry change me, I believed it was time to change the industry,” she said.
“So here I am as your first ever cosplaying, movie reviewing and Lego collecting Miss World Australia contestant.”
Ms Evren said she originally stopped pageantry because of the standards placed on competitors, believing it was “outdated”.
ALL THE MISS WORLD AUSTRALIA FINALISTS
However, she said she decided to make the comeback after discovering a new-found confidence.
“I’m very grateful that this system has fully supported my aspirations to change this industry and the standards placed upon women as a whole,” she said.
“I would love to create a wave of change internationally as Miss World Australia, however, I have no expectations going into nationals.”
Ms Evren has been sharing her pageant process to her 720,000 followers on TikTok with one outlining her concerns for potentially being marked down because of her tattoos.
“After making it through to Nationals I had an abundance of messages from young girls with the same concerns asking me how to enter into the system,” she said.
“I would say the main difference for me is the reach I have on social media and how I am able to share my message to a worldwide stage.”
Ms Evren said while she had lots to be thankful for since her journey on Love Island, her self-confidence had been “rattled” by critics on social media.
“My ultimate goal as a woman in general is to remain positive and relatable.”
The pageant will take place at Mercure Resort from August 15, with the crowning of Miss World Australia to take place on August 18.