Tessa Burrows.
In 1983, Lorraine Downes arrived at the Miss Universe pageant with a small suitcase, big hair and little experience. Her shocked reaction won the world’s hearts as she took out the title.
More than 40 years later, brunette beauty Georgia Waddington is hoping to make history again and follow in Lorraine’s footsteps – except she’ll be taking four suitcases, a well-used passport and has already competed in several pageants.
“Lorraine has been an inspiration on my journey to Miss Universe,” says Christchurch-based Georgia, who heads to the 75th Miss Universe pageant in Puerto Rico this month to compete with 130 other delegates. “She’s such an icon! I haven’t met her, but I recently went on a deep dive into Miss Universe as a whole, looking back at past competitions, including some of Lorraine’s journey and old footage on YouTube.
“Miss Universe has always been a dream of mine. I’m on a mission to bring that crown back to New Zealand.”
Georgia says there are many online fan pages that closely follow the Miss Universe contestants and make predictions throughout the season.
“It’s been really exciting to see New Zealand consistently included in those predictions and gaining recognition.”
A taste for the pageant life
Georgia’s first pageant was also her first title.
She was crowned Miss New Zealand in 2023, having never competed before entering.
She moved quickly to the international circuit, taking the Miss Photogenic award at Miss International in Japan, then reaching the top 20 as Miss Charm New Zealand in Vietnam in 2024, where she also won the Best Face award.
Since last being featured in Woman’s Weekly in 2024, a lot has changed for the 25-year-old. She has gone from blonde to brunette (“back to my roots!”) and also started a social media marketing business called Social Strategy, where she has secured international clients, including some in New York.
“Running my own business has taught me so much about discipline, accountability, building relationships and trusting myself,” she says. “It has pushed me to grow both personally and professionally, and I felt like this was the right time to enter Miss Universe New Zealand.”
Crowned Miss Universe NZ
Wearing a red sequinned evening gown, a teary-eyed Georgia won the title in July.
“Hearing my name called as the winner, I felt every emotion you could think of… excited, grateful, overwhelmed and also that feeling of, ‘I’ve done it, I’ve done it!’ because I genuinely had put my heart and soul into the competition.”
Georgia says there’s a lot more preparation than people tend to imagine.
“I had put in endless training hours, so when I stepped onto that stage, I could feel really prepared and calm. I barely slept that night because of the adrenaline!”
An underdog story
Georgia grew up in Christchurch as the second-youngest of five children. She was home-schooled from age eight, then at 12 she attended a private girls’ school, where she experienced bullying and struggled with low confidence.
“I was naturally very shy and reserved growing up,” she recalls. “I was the girl who would stand back rather than put my hand up in class and public speaking was something I found incredibly daunting. At times, I would even film my speeches rather than deliver them in front of the class.
“Because I was quiet, I think people sometimes misunderstood me before they got to know me,” she reflects. “Looking back, those experiences became a big part of why confidence, self-belief and helping young people find their voice mean so much to me today.”
A good cause
It has given her a heart for youth. Before heading to Puerto Rico, Georgia is spending 10 days in the Philippines working with the SCOT Foundation to support children who are disadvantaged.
“That’s a part that I’m really looking forward to – spending time with orphaned children and organising a feeding programme while I’m over there,” she says.
Georgia adds her teenage self never would have believed what her life looks like now or that pageantry would be part of her future.
“I’ve come so far and it’s only from doing things that have been out of my comfort zone or a bit scary,” smiles Georgia.
“When I first entered Miss New Zealand, I had absolutely no idea of the doors, opportunities and experiences it would bring into my life.”
Follow Georgia’s journey to the Miss Universe pageant on November 24 on her Instagram page @gwaddington
