INTERVIEW with Hayley Parker || Mrs Galaxy Australia National Finalist 2024
Above: Photo by Steve Nuske
SD: Hi Hayley. Can you introduce yourself to my readers who don’t know you yet?
Where do I start? Ha ha ha ha
HP: I am Hayley Parker; I am a mother, a wife, a professional performer and actress, a teacher, a mentor AND... your current Mrs Galaxy Mount Richon National Finalist 2024! I love to be busy and engaged in my community in different ways while being a strong role model for my daughters. I have also recently released my first original song called "Learning" and I am loving my new direction of creativity and cathartic release that I have found in songwriting. My biggest claim to fame was being a contestant on the singing reality TV show The Voice in 2023 and bringing pageantry to the national TV screen and into people's living rooms! What's next? I'm thinking a podcast!
SD: You’re a finalist for Mrs Galaxy Australia 2024. Can you tell us more about it?
HP: Australia Galaxy Pageants (AGP) is an international system of pageantry. The competition involves different sections that get adjudicated and scored to produce a crowned winner who can then go on to compete at the international level. Yes, we get to wear beautiful dresses, yes we do hair and makeup and yes, I love pink and anything sparkly ha ha ha, BUT, that isn't the only thing this event is about. AGP seeks to offer women of all ages, races, sizes and backgrounds the opportunity to "be the best version of themselves"; pageantry offers strong like-minded women the platform to advocate for charities, execute philanthropic work, be empowered community role models and create a network of women, who I personally know, will always be there for me.
As a National Finalist for Australia Galaxy I will be travelling from Perth to Sydney this May to compete against delegates from around the country for the coveted title of Mrs Galaxy Australia. My journey to Nationals includes fundraising efforts for the incredible foundation batyr who offer support and initiatives that support mental health in the youth. I also engage in appearances, media connections, networking events and then at Nationals I will compete in different rounds from evening wear, eco-wear and fun fashion to the all important interview panel and photo shoots to showcase personality. It's such a worthwhile journey that develops personal goals while layering on your confidence.
SD: How did you become interested in pageants?
HP: My first taste of pageantry was when I was 10 years old living in my birthplace, South Africa, I remember that my parents treated me and my brother to a trip to the Sun City Resort outside Johannesburg. Here I got to dress up and attend the Miss South Africa pageant; it was HUGE; filling a full arena of people with the likes of Taylor Swift. I was officially smitten by the beautiful confident women who walked the stage and the sparkly end results.
Pageantry didn't come back into my life until I was a full blown adult across continents in 2019 when one of my dance students had won a local pageant. This brought all of those 10 year old warm fuzzies rushing back and I was intrigued and looking for my next challenge. I started researching and was thrown down the pageant rabbit hole! I ended up entering my first international pageant Ms Regal World....and I WON! I was blown away!
I went on to win another title the following year at a local pageant as Ms Premier Elite. The bug bit hard and I have continued and competed in several Glitz Style pageants crowning with supreme titles and now....it's on to my biggest challenge yet, Mrs Galaxy Australia and I can't wait to learn, grow and share throughout the journey!
SD: What’s in your makeup bag right now?
HP: Ooooh, you cannot go past my contour kit, brow mascara and a great long stay, no budge lipstick as my go to items but if we are going to really break it down you would need a good few hours to itemise as I can fill a suitcase with my products ha ha ha.
Above: Photo by Steve Nuske
SD: What is your vision of success?
HP: Success to me is measured by the impact you make and the imprint you leave. I'm not saying you need to be the likes of Steve Jobs and create the next iPhone; your impact however small will and can change someone. Maybe stopping and helping someone who tripped and fell or maybe you're a teacher who has honed their craft and is moulding the minds of the future. I am a big believer in the butterfly effect and if you set small goals and start making small impacts somewhere in the world your successes, big or small, will be felt and will be remembered.
SD: What do you admire in a woman and why?
HP: Resilience. Women have and do endure so much; we have been oppressed, underpaid, we grow and birth the future of our planet, all have careers that impact the world whether you are a stay-at-home mum or a politician or doctor YOU ARE MAKING AN IMPACT. We are so strong physically and mentally....we are just built differently and I love it, ha ha ha ha.
SD: If you could give one piece of advice to your 14 year old self, what would it be?
HP: Sadly, even if I could hear the advice I remember at 14 that I probably wouldn't have listened anyway ha ha ha ha!! I just wish I could have made myself embrace my body and embrace my weirdness, I was so focused on comparing myself to all the other people around me I forgot how awesome I really was and that my people who mattered and my soulmate (my dear hubby) would eventually find me and although I don't need anyone to complete me it is pretty cool to have someone compliment me and support all the unhinged ideas and journey's I go on.....hop on it's a wild ride!
SD: Who are you most inspired by in the Pageant World and why?
HP: I am just always floored by the ladies like me, they are mums, career women and partners. We juggle so much and I respect them tremendously for doing something that requires you to give even more than we already do; but wow do we get so much in return!
SD: How have beauty pageants impacted your life and your career?
HP: Pageantry has given me friendships I never thought I would find. Yes, at the end of the day it's a competition but, we all know the hard work and sacrifice that goes into what we do and we also know that leading with kindness and the fact we are all way more than a sash and a crown is the key element here.
Pageantry has elevated my confidence and given me career opportunities to do performances and book gigs while also offering me advice and a life support network on tap for anything and everything I could need.
SD: What is your best beauty secret?
HP: Water! We are made of 80% water and to be hydrated is to have plump and dewy skin that glows with confidence. I must admit I am not always on the ball with hydration but I know when I am conscious about it I can see and feel the difference in my complexion and how I feel in my body and gut! Putting that aside...who doesn't love a good spray tan....am I right ladies?? I always feel more confident when I am bronzed.
Hayley’s Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/superstarhpc/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/superstar.hayley/
Above: Photo by Steve Nuske