A HOLIDAY is a great time for many, but for Leah Bell it almost cost her a chance to enter the Miss Universe Australia competition.
The Harrisdale resident had always wanted to take part in the global competition and decided this would be the year she signed up, but she said she almost missed out completely after a holiday meant her registration came through at the last minute.
Luckily for Ms Bell, her registration went through and she is now one of six WA women chosen to compete in the nation final on June 22.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“There were so many beautiful girls in the WA group that I really didn’t expect it,” she said.
“My name was the last one called out – I was convinced I had missed the cut so it was a huge shock.”
She said she had loved every minute of her time in the competition so far and wanted to prove that events like this don’t deserve the critical comments they receive.
“Events like Miss Universe Australia are so much more than just a ‘pageant’,” she said.
“We get challenged and pushed outside of our comfort zones, and that’s where personal growth happens.
“We have a platform to talk about issues, have an opportunity to make an actual difference and I love the charitable aspect of it all.
“Like it or not, we become role models for many, which is a huge responsibility in itself and it motivates me to be the best ‘me’ that I can be.”