THIRD TIME LUCKY: Rachel Millns will represent New Zealand at Miss Universe.
THIRD TIME LUCKY: Rachel Millns will represent New Zealand at Miss Universe.
From shy Wanganui girl to Miss New Zealand - the past few years have been a transformation for Rachel Millns.
She took out Miss Universe New Zealand at Sky City in Auckland last week in what was her third year in the competition.
Born in Wanganui, Miss Millns went toBrunswick School before shifting south with her family. She now lives on the Kapiti Coast but her grandparents, aunt and uncle still live locally.
"I still come up to visit my grandparents and I really enjoy coming back. It's a lovely town," Miss Millns said.
It's been a steady rise for the 24-year-old. She was named Miss Hutt Valley in 2011 before missing out in her first crack at Miss New Zealand a year later. That year, however, she was crowned Miss Nature Coast and made the top five in the national pageant in 2013 before finally taking the crown last week.
Miss Millns said the competition was comprehensive and involved a stiletto camp and a trip to Thailand for a bikini shoot. But it was about more than looks, she said, as contestants were quizzed on politics and New Zealand history.
"It's about the way you hold yourself and present yourself in public - beauty and brains.
"I see them as self-development courses. I used to be the one who hated speeches but I'm a completely different person. It's been such a huge way to push me out of my comfort zone."
She said the competition was now more about encouraging women to be comfortable with their own bodies.
Miss Millns will head to Florida next year for Miss Universe. "I'm going to do the best I can. It's nice going over there as the underdog."
Grandmother Olive Thompson said her granddaughter's success was still sinking in. "It's sort of unfolding before us, we're into uncharted waters," Mrs Thompson said.
"We're proud of her, she's a lovely girl. She was a shy child and these pageants have given her so much confidence, which she will take with her for the rest of her life."
Mrs Thompson said watching the pageant was as nerve-racking as watching the America's Cup. "She looked beautiful, we were very excited and absolutely delighted."
Miss Millns will spend the next few months preparing for the Miss Universe event and doing promotional work around New Zealand.
