INTERVIEW with Annalise Monson || Miss Galaxy Australia National Finalist 2024
Above: Photo by Photographique Studio
SD: Hi Annalise. Can you introduce yourself to my readers who don’t know you yet?
AM: Hi everybody! I’m Annalise Monson, I’m 24 years young and currently a national finalist for Miss Galaxy Australia 2024.
I grew up on a dairy farm, which is incredibly different from pageants, but I love being about to prove it doesn’t matter who or where you grew up that you can achieve any goal you set your mind to!
Having grown up in the industry I did, I saw many challenges with mental health within the agricultural industry and have built my own non-profit organisation called “Beyond our farms” which will provide awareness and support to all farmers Australia wide and eventually world wide. I will be able to join the pageant world and farming world together to create a community where no one will be alone.
SD: You’re a finalist for Miss Galaxy Australia 2024. Can you tell us more about it?
AM: Absolutely I can! Australia galaxy pageants is everything you think it would be and more. Its a system that has become who I consider my family. Australia Galaxy Pageants provide the tools and platform to help contestants to be the best versions of themselves whilst also connecting with their communities.
I first competed in Australia Galaxy Pageants in 2021. That was the year I found my love and excitement for the system and have never given up on becoming the best version of myself. This is not a type of competition where you win a title and that’s it, this is a competition where even if you don’t place - you will always have a large sisterhood for life.
This will be my third year competing and I look forward to meeting/seeing all my pageant sisters.
SD: How did you become interested in pageants?
AM: I used to drive 2 hours in total, once a week to a town very far away from me just to attend modelling classes. It’s from there I grew the love for this industry as I gained so much confidence, knowledge and friendships.
Australia Galaxy Pageants was actually the first time I had entered a major pageant styled competition. I had experience in runway side of modelling but really wanted to give Australia Galaxy Pageants a try as their system resonated with me. It was the best decision I have ever made!
SD: What’s in your makeup bag right now?
AM: I have 4 different lip glosses (my go to product) and side pocket for snacks. Mainly chips and tictacs. I have a heart condition called postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), so having salty snacks on standby everywhere is a must for me.
SD: What is your vision of success?
AM: To me, success is being able to contribute and see the results of my work and platform impacting my community. Success is not something given, but is earned with hard work, love and determination.
SD: What do you admire in a woman and why?
AM: All women are incredible in their own individual way. In life and pageantry, I love seeing people embrace who they are and are able to be unapologetically themselves.
SD: If you could give one piece of advice to your 14 year old self, what would it be?
AM: There’s a quote I live by and it’s “everything happens for a reason” - I would remind her that and not to be scared of taking that scary step to her goals. Trust yourself. You are good enough.
Above: Photo supplied by Annalise Monson
SD: Who are you most inspired by in the Pageant World and why?
AM: Every pageant person I have met as impacted my life in ways they probably don’t even know.
Deshauna Barber is an American beauty pageant titleholder who has inspired me a lot in my journey as she is a motivational speaker, and captain in the United States Army Reserve. On June 5, 2016, she was crowned Miss USA 2016. Really resonates with my story on how it doesn’t matter what job you have, or where you grew up, you can be an intentional role model and pageant winner.
SD: How have beauty pageants impacted your life and your career?
AM: This is a fun thing to talk about as most outsiders to the pageant world don’t understand how much goes into a pageant and how it can boost confidence and teach skills you use in day to day life - especially in the workforce.
I am no longer that scared young girl who was too scared to order her own food at the counter of a food store. I am no longer the girl who listens and believes negativity.
SD: What is your best beauty secret?
AM: Be unapologetically yourself. Yourself is the most beautiful thing in this world. Resonate with yourself, you’re going to resonate to the world.
Annalise’s Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/annalisemonson/
Annalise’s batyr fundraising page: https://www.batyr.com.au/my-fundraising/128/annalise-monson---australia-galaxy-pageants-national-finalist-2024
Above: Photo by Ian Riley