When local Miss Universe New Zealand finalist Breone Lay takes the stage in Auckland tonight, it will be with a winning attitude.
The Havelock North woman is among 25 contestants from throughout the country who will gather at SkyCity for a grand final, which will see them whittled down to 12 and then five.
An overall winner will take the title from current holder Michelle Cassidy, to represent New Zealand at the international Miss Universe competition in Florida.
Contestants were interviewed yesterday, , and will be watched carefully this evening during a gown section and bikini slideshow, featuring photos and video taken during the finalists' trip to Thailand last month.
Public votes accounted for 50 per cent of their score, while the other half would come from a panel of judges.
"It's definitely starting to hit me now," Ms Lay said after the dress rehearsal, yesterday.
The beauty, 23, is no stranger to the limelight. She was named Miss Hawke's Bay in 2011 and won a Directors Award at Miss Aotearoa 2012. Miss Universe was simply another step towards self improvement.
"I did it to better myself, to make the most of the experience that's being offered. The top 200 went to a stiletto camp where there were workshops on things like media, photoshoots, food and nutrition, so that was all very beneficial."
Travelling to Thailand with the other girls had been the biggest highlight so far.
"We really got into the culture ... it was a completely amazing experience, at this age most people go to Thailand to party, but it was incredible to take in all the culture."
Ms Lay's day job as an air hostess sees her working long-haul flights from Auckland to Los Angeles.
She's also completing a business degree with a double major in accounting and management.
Despite her many commitments, she still managed to visit family in Hawke's Bay every couple of weeks.
Her ultimate goal was to take out the Miss Universe competition, and she hoped people wouldsupport her.
Public votes still counted up until 7pm this evening. Simply log on to her public figure Facebook page and click the "buy tickets" link, which leads to an i-Vote bundle entitling the bearer to 15 votes for $10. A single vote is 99c - just text 'BREONE' to 3557.
The Grand Final will be streamed live online at nextmissnz.com.