Last night, 30 Miss Universe Australia 2016 hopefuls showered Melbourne’s Sofitel with their elegance, grace and intelligence, and this year’s winner is…
Caris Tiivel from Western Australia!
Caris, 23, along with the remaining Final Five contestants – Elise Chambellant (Qld), Jasmie Stringer (Qld), Rose McEvoy (NSW) and Marijana Radmanovic (Vic) – impressed the judges in the swimwear and evening wear phases of the competition, before answering a series of current-affairs questions.
Although, despite her confident demeanour on stage, Caris initially confessed that she was feeling nervous about it.
“I’m a little worried,” she said. “But it’s best not to try to think about it too much and just be natural and give your opinion on the issues.”
Not only that, this Perth beauty also revealed that while she may exude confidence under the spotlight, it wasn’t always that simple.
“I’m someone that has suffered from anxiety and depression in the past and a lot of people think you are always smiling, you are always happy all the time, there is nothing wrong with you,” she says.
“But that’s the stigma that comes with depression: a lot of people don’t know when someone is suffering.”
Calling on her inner-strength, the 21-year-old managed to continue to dazzle her way to take out the covetable sash.
Caris follows in the high-heeled footsteps of past winners Erin McNaught, Laura Dundovic and seasoned Weekly covergirls Jesinta Campbell and Jennifer Hawkins – and we can’t wait to see what she does next
Congratulations, Caris!
