INTERVIEW with Astrid Devereaux || Miss World Australia Preliminary Finalist 2024
SD: Hi Astrid. Can you introduce yourself to my readers who don’t know you yet?
AD: Hi everyone! I’m Astrid. I am thrilled to share a little bit of myself with you all. I grew up in Victoria, my background is Macedonian and somewhere down the line is French I believe. I am currently working at a boarding kennel while studying my Cert II in Animal Care as I am looking to peruse a career in Vet Nursing, Veterinarian or an Animal Welfare Inspector.
A little bit more about me is that I love to travel. I have travelled 20 states in America for a month in 2022 we rented a RV and drove from California to Chicago and then drove in a car and stopped at hotels from there. I am returning to America to travel another 10 states in 2024, plus go to Paris for 4 nights. I have also been to New Caledonia and Canada. I will then be going to New Zealand next year. I am highly interested in learning about all the different cultures and getting a good understanding on the country. My goal is to reach 20 countries before I’m 30. My next destinations I want to reach is Singapore, Japan, Europe and the UK.
Some of my favourite hobbies are to draw, read and go to the gym.
SD: You’re a Miss World Australia Preliminary Finalist 2024. Can you tell us more about it?
AD: I am so great full to have been chosen to compete for Miss World Australia 2024 and I strive to take home the crown for our country. This isn’t just a competition for me this is an opportunity for me to be heard, for me to help others and make a difference. During my journey I have been fundraising for Variety the Children’s Charity and it has been so rewarding knowing that every step of the way to the final event I have been helping kids in need. I created a Paint ‘N’ Sip event where everyone would get together for nibbles, drinks and painting. All the funds I received went to the charity. Everyone had such a good time, and it was good to get everyone together. This made me want to fundraise even more, even after my time with Miss World Australia.
SD: How did you become interested in pageants?
AD: I didn’t have much knowledge about Pageants at all, I knew of them, yes, but have never thought anything about it. I love to try new things and I’ve been like that ever since I was comfortable to get out of my comfort zone. I want to be able to grow old and tell my grandchildren everything I did growing up; I don’t want to miss out on anything. So, I came across Miss World Australia on my socials and said to myself “you know what I’m going to give it a go, there’s no harm in trying right? What’s the worst that’s going to happen?” so that’s what I did, I applied, and I got into the casting party, went in with a big smiling and my bubbly attitude and got accepted for the Miss World Australia 2023 VIC state finals. I learnt about the cause, learnt about fundraising opportunities, learnt about “beauty with a purpose” it warmed my heart knowing that Miss World Australia isn’t just about the beauty side of things but to help people and our society. Unfortunately, I didn’t progress any further with the 2023 competition, If first you don’t succeed you try again and that’s what I did and now I’m making it through to the Miss World Australia National Finals 2024! Don’t give up!
SD: What’s in your makeup bag right now?
AD: I keep all the essentials in my makeup bag such as mascara, IT Cosmetics CC+ cream, Laura Mercier powder, Mac lipsticks etc. I cannot leave the house without taking my lip balm, may as well glue it onto me.
SD: What is your vision of success?
AD: My vision of success is to fulfill any life goals that I have, such as getting a house, get married, travel, have my dream job and eventually have a family. I also have a very long bucket list I want to complete but it’s hard for me to do so as I keep adding to it hahaha. But that’s not all, I want to be able to help people, be someone to talk to, someone to give advice to others who need it, I want the people around me to feel like they can reach out to me if they ever need just someone to talk to. I want to live in a world where we can help each other a little in any way we can, it’s hard to live the way we do now and sometimes all that we need is a good role model and some help. that would be a great success to me and make me feel complete.
SD: If you could give one piece of advice to your 14 year old self, what would it be?
AD: This question is so important to me. I would tell my 14-year-old self not to worry so much and that everything plays out the way it’s supposed to. At such a young age going into adulthood is so hard, your expected to do this and that and growing up I felt like to me nothing was ever good enough, but I was trying. Looking back at it now with a mature mindset I realised that if everything I ever done or went through didn’t happen, I wouldn’t be where I am today, and for that I’m so thankful with all the life lessons I endured. My biggest motto is “everything happens for a reason” and I live by it.
SD: Who are you most inspired by in the Pageant World and why?
AD: I’m inspired by Kirsten Wright. When I started getting into pageants, she just won the title Miss World Australia 2022. She’s inspiring, beautiful, her style is amazing, and she seems like a genuine Lovley person inside and out. She started out with little followers like me, and this just shows you don’t need to “be popular” to achieve great thing. She’s done heaps of charity work for all different charities, and it inspires me to do the same.
SD: How have beauty pageants impacted your life and your career?
AD: Beauty Pageants have impacted my thought on life in a good way, it has made me feel like I have a purpose to fulfill. It has opened my mind to personal growth. It has made me confident and pushed me to do things that I never thought I could ever do. I am currently working to build a website/social page that supports mental health. There will be a new charity each month that I will fundraise for/support.
SD: What is your best beauty secret?
AD: My first beauty secret isn’t just what’s on the outside its what’s on the inside. Be kind, you don’t know what people may be going through. A simple smile, or a hello may just make their day.
My second beauty secret is to always wash your face, cleanse and I cannot stress this enough, please do not pop your pimples! Popping your pimples can push bacteria and pus into the skin, which might cause more swelling and redness. This can also lead to permanent pits or scars. I find pimple patches help a lot, they stop the temptation of me squeezing and helps them to go away quicker.
Miss World Australia:
Website: https://www.missworldaustralia.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/missworldaustraliaofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/missworldaustralia/
Astrid’s Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asidev00/
Miss World Fundraising Page: https://miss-world-australia-2024.raisely.com/astrid-devereaux