Meet Miss Universe New Zealand: Georgia Waddington
Crowned Miss Universe New Zealand, Christchurch pageant queen Georgia Waddington is stepping into her busiest season yet. Between photoshoots and flights, she sits down with Metropol editor Nina Tucker.
Georgia, so much has happened since our last interview in 2023. How have you grown since then?
I’ve grown so much over the past few years, both personally and within pageantry. I’m stepping into this next chapter as the most confident version of myself. Since we last spoke, I started my own social media marketing business about a year and a half ago and have been fortunate enough to secure clients internationally, as far afield as New York City. Running my own business has taught me so much about accountability, discipline, networking and backing myself. I’ve also put a huge amount of time into my personal development through public speaking, acting, catwalk, modelling and pageant training. I’m more prepared than I’ve ever been going into this next chapter.
You stumbled into pageantry in 2023 after being scouted to join Miss New Zealand, and now you’ve held two of New Zealand’s top pageant titles. Is it all what you expected?
I feel so grateful that I found pageantry. When I first entered, I had absolutely no idea of the doors, opportunities and experiences it would bring into my life. Winning Miss New Zealand 2023 took me to Japan to compete at Miss International, where I won Miss Photogenic. I then represented New Zealand at Miss Charm, placing in the Top 20 and receiving the Best Face award. Being recognised internationally while wearing the New Zealand sash across my chest is one of the most special experiences and something I’ll remember forever. After that, I focused on starting and building my business, and then decided this was my year to enter Miss Universe New Zealand. It genuinely felt like the stars aligned and it was the perfect time for me to step into this next chapter.
What’s involved in being a Miss Universe finalist?
Being a finalist was incredibly intense, I wanted it so badly that I worked harder than I ever have before. There were early mornings, late nights and sometimes three or four different areas of training in a day – catwalk, Q&A, interview preparation and fitness – all while continuing to run my business and look after my clients. Since winning, it has been a whirlwind! I’ve been travelling between Christchurch and Auckland, sometimes doing up to three photoshoots in a day, alongside training, networking, media, meeting sponsors and keeping up with social media. I’m also making sure I stay healthy and look after myself so I can give everything I have to Miss Universe.
I’m not taking my foot off the pedal. I have a lot of exciting travel coming up, including Sydney for a Tony Robbins personal development event, as well as working with one of my coaches on catwalk, Q&A and interview training, and fitting in an exciting photoshoot while I’m there. I’ll also be travelling to the Philippines with my incredible directors and team for 10 very busy days. We have press conferences with pageant media, intensive pasarela training, meetings with designers, shopping, networking and photoshoots planned. We’ll also be visiting the SCOT Foundation, which supports street and orphaned children in the Philippines. I’m really looking forward to having the opportunity to give back while I’m there, as well as experiencing the culture, meeting the people and, of course, trying the food!
Tell me how you felt when they called your name – proud, relieved?
This question makes me emotional because I still have so much gratitude when I think about that moment. Going into the final, I told myself that regardless of the outcome, I was proud of myself because I had given it absolutely everything. I wouldn’t have done anything differently. When my name was called, it was honestly every emotion at once – gratitude, excitement and this feeling of, ‘I’ve done it.’ I was teary-eyed and so overwhelmed with happiness. I barely slept that night because of the adrenaline! I feel incredibly privileged to hold this title, and I’m ready to give it my all.
What do you feel sets you apart?
I would definitely say my drive and work ethic. I don’t like leaving any stone unturned. When I commit to something, I give it my all, go above and beyond and pay attention to the little details. I think that dedication helped set me apart in this competition.
You chose Pink Ribbon as your charity this time around, tell me why?
I chose to support Pink Ribbon and the Breast Cancer Foundation New Zealand because it’s a cause very close to my heart. Breast cancer affects so many women in New Zealand, and I’ve also watched a close family friend go through it, so I’ve seen firsthand the impact it can have. In a single evening, I raised over $9630, which I’m really proud of.
Your social following has grown significantly since your first and subsequent crowns. How does this impact your life and your place in the industry?
It definitely hasn’t happened by accident. I’ve worked hard to understand social media, learn the algorithms and create content that my audience actually wants to see while still making sure it feels authentic to me. I’ve put a lot of time into creating and producing high-quality content that represents who I am. Social media is such a huge part of the world we live in now, and because I also work professionally in that space,
I understand its power even more. It has allowed me to build my personal brand, connect with people around the world and give people an opportunity to get to know me.
How do you spend your spare time?
I’m one of five siblings, so I have a big family. My parents and siblings are my best friends (plus my three Burmese cats).
I spent a lot of time swimming growing up, so I’ve always loved being on or in the water, whether that’s swimming, jet skiing, wakeboarding or being out on the boat. Growing up, I also loved things like four-wheel driving, quad biking and fishing, so there’s definitely another side of me beyond the heels and glam!
Is your pageant-self an extension of your personality; did you love dressing up and doing your makeup growing up?
I absolutely loved dressing up and doing makeup growing up. My mum was a makeup artist, and I used to love watching her work and looking through all of her different products.
I would often practise by painting my dad’s face with makeup; I definitely wasn’t very good though! You could often find me as a little girl dressing up with handbags and plastic heels.
I loved Barbies and have always loved girly things.
What I didn’t have growing up was confidence. I was very shy and didn’t really believe in myself, so pageantry was never something I imagined I would do because it was so far outside my comfort zone. But boy, am I glad I did!
QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS
What’s your guilty pleasure?
I’m such a foodie! I love trying all kinds of food, especially anything spicy. I will almost always choose the spiciest thing on the menu.
Your go-to comfort food?
My dad’s cooking. He’s the chef of the family and I love pretty much everything he makes.
A life hack you can’t live without?
For pageants, shoe cushioning and blister plasters – absolute lifesavers.
The three things you’ll always have in your handbag?
My Fenty lip gloss, comb, phone, Canon G7X digital camera, also mints, cards, hair ties, and electrolytes.
One thing readers would be surprised to learn about you?
I was homeschooled growing up, and I was also incredibly shy and experienced bullying. I think people who know me now would probably be surprised by just how shy I once was and how far I’ve come with my confidence.
What’s your biggest weakness?
Probably my perfectionism. I hold myself to a very high standard, which can be a strength, but I’m also learning perfection isn’t always possible.
Best advice you ever received?
I’ve received so much valuable advice throughout my life, but there’s a quote by Maya Angelou that has always stayed with me: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
That’s something I genuinely try to carry with me. No matter who I’m meeting or where I am, I want people to feel seen, heard and valued. How you make people feel is ultimately the impression you leave behind.
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Hero image: Her first time competing in a pageant, Georgia was crowned Miss New Zealand in 2023. In July this year, the 25-year-old won Miss Universe New Zealand, Best in Swimwear, Best in Evening Wear, Miss Photogenic and Best in Charity. She will compete at the global finals in Puerto Rico come November. Photographed by Johans Lucena.
