Miss Universe and Me

I’m old, but I don’t have grandchildren so I say this for the first time – let me tell you about the time I met a real live Miss Universe, albeit a former one at the time.

I was working on a lifestyle magazine in Melbourne, Australia and it was decided we do a story on Jennifer Hawkins, who since finishing her term as Miss Universe had began a very succuessful career in media and the fashion industry.

I was given the job to interview the former cheerleader, and convinced no one when pretending that it was just another interview. 

After the photoshoot we had a polite chat about stuff, but I never really got anything new from the woman who probably ties with Nicole Kidman for most overdone subject in Australian puff mags. Hawkins has never done anything wrong in her life that warranted tough questions and to the disappointment of every woman I know, she is as lovely in person, both physically and personally, as her public persona suggests.  

She has a plane to catch and, although we were over time and her agent is nervously eyeing off his watch, she is happy for our interview to go a little longer. Sadly, a waiter asks us to leave because he has to prepare for a function. This could be Hawkins’ chance to get rid of this pesky journalist so she could chill out at the Qantas Club for a few extra minutes, but she asks for just a few more minutes to which the self-indulgent food boy, who could start at any of the other 10 tables in the room, insists she, Jennifer Hawkins, leave! The prick.

When I ask why he couldn’t start at the other end of the room, the table monkey, who must be either gay, blind or oblivious to the world looks at me as though I just tipped him with his own shit.

As we leave, I feel buoyed by her regret that we couldn’t have a longer “chat” (not interview, chat) and have to ask just one more question based on something I read about her all time favourite movie.

“What’s your favourite part in Grease?”  I ask, thankful for three years of university and nine years journalism experience. “When Sandy comes out in that skin-tight suit, she went from innocent to raunchy, it was good,” she answers with a huge smile on her face, leading me to wish I started the interview with that very question.