INTERVIEW with Jazinda Barnes || Miss Galaxy Australia National Finalist 2024

Above: Photo by Alexis Turner Photography

SD: Hi Jazinda. Can you introduce yourself to my readers who don’t know you yet?

JB: Hi everyone, I am Jazinda Barnes, a 22 year old with a passion for sports and pageantry. I have held 2 nationals titles within my pageantry journey, Australia’s Teen Queen 2017 and Miss Teen Galaxy Australia 2020-2021 and I’m currently a Miss Galaxy Australia National Finalist for 2024. 

I have played netball for over 15 years and debuted at a semi professional level. Playing at a high level takes hard work dedication and persistence which has assisted me in my Galaxy Journey thus far. 

My Platform that I stand strongly behind is showing the world that Disability shouldn’t mean you are faced with disadvantages and I would love to show not just my local community but the whole of Australia and the world how important that is.

SD: You’re a finalist for Miss Galaxy Australia 2024. Can you tell us more about it?

JB: Australia Galaxy Pageants is an amazing system that encourages women of all ages, sizes and backgrounds to be the best version of themselves. I first competed in Australia Galaxy in 2017 and again in 2020 winning the title of Miss Teen Galaxy Australia 2020-2021. Australia Galaxy Pageants promotes community participation encouraging finalists to become involved within their communities donating and volunteering. If you didn’t think Australia Galaxy Pageants couldn’t get any better, they also asks their delegates to fundraise during their journeys for batyr - a youth mental health organisation. 

SD: How did you become interested in pageants?

JB: It started when I was primary school, I loved to watch Toddlers and Tiaras so I asked my mum if I could compete, of course she said there wasn’t any in Australia until she found out that Australia has its own Glitz systems. I was apart of Kylies Pageant Dolls competing in the Follow Your Dreams System. I first competed in a Miss style pageant at 14 years old, and by the 2nd system I competed in, I found the system I aligned with: Australia Galaxy Pageants. 

SD: What’s in your makeup bag right now?

JB: Duo lash glue is an absolute must along with my MCoBeauty BB cream and Skino2 contour blush and glow palette.

SD: What is your vision of success?

JB: Success shouldn’t be about the top prize you can receive but instead what you will achieve during the journey to that top prize. For pageants success doesn’t mean winning the title and crown, it’s the growth and experiences you come away with during your journey. 

SD: What do you admire in a woman and why?
JB: I love that women face many different challenges everyday yet still get up and try to be the best versions of themselves, they keep pushing regardless of what they’re faced with.

SD: If you could give one piece of advice to your 14 year old self, what would it be?

JB: Who cares what people think, if you’re happy doing what you’re doing, keep doing it. This is your life and you need to live it how you want. 

Above: Photo supplied by Jazinda Barnes

SD: Who are you most inspired by in the Pageant World and why?
There are many women within the pageant community I see as inspirations. I have followed Misha Grimes for a few years now and have loved watching her Uk and International Galaxy journey and now her journey through life. She has faced many challenges over the last couple years but keeps showing up for herself, family and friends. She isn’t afraid to be vulnerable and shows the world it’s okay to not be okay sometimes.

SD: How have beauty pageants impacted your life and your career?
Pageantry has taught many skills and has impacted my life immensely, it’s bought me friendships and taught me how to display discipline, poise, confidence, assisted with my communication, taught me the importance of community participation, assisted me with interview skills which has allowed me to find employment.

SD: What is your best beauty secret?

Just be yourself, and learn to be comfortable in your own skin, there is only one of you on this earth, and it’s what’s inside that counts and this makes you more beautiful than any makeup ever could. 

Jazinda’s Links:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jazinda_b/
Jazinda’s batyr fundraising page: https://www.batyr.com.au/my-fundraising/111/jazinda-barnes-australia-galaxy-pageants-national-finalist-2024

Above: Photo by Alexis Turner Photography