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![Miss Universe entrants Kayla Gregg of Hobart, Hayley Gittus, of Hobart, and Monica Paige, of Launceston, were yesterday crowned finalists in the Tasmanian heat of the national contest. Picture: Mark Jesser. Miss Universe entrants Kayla Gregg of Hobart, Hayley Gittus, of Hobart, and Monica Paige, of Launceston, were yesterday crowned finalists in the Tasmanian heat of the national contest. Picture: Mark Jesser.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/6ede06a3-91c5-4b2f-8c5b-68c8125abfda.jpg/r0_0_847_672_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
MISS Universe Australia finalist Monica Paige laughs that the competition is nice encouragement to clean up her diet.
The Launceston woman joined Hobart's Kayla Gregg and Hayley Gittus yesterday in being crowned finalists in the Tasmanian heat of the national contest.
The women joined 16 others in being judged dressed in their swimwear and an evening gown before being questioned in the personality test.
The trio inspired a Miss Universe Australia first - a draw will see three contestants sent to the national competition instead of two.
Competition was tough but the atmosphere at Peppers Seaport in Launceston was friendly.
A television journalist, neuroscientist and recent college graduate walked down the red carpet alongside a volunteer firefighter, a woman headed to aviation college and beauty therapists.
It's an example of how broad - and tough - Miss Universe Australia is.
Competitors must be aged between 18 and 27, have a valid passport and never have married or had children.
![Jaiden Thomas, of Launceston. Picture: Mark Jesser. Jaiden Thomas, of Launceston. Picture: Mark Jesser.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/a1061b0e-70f9-47af-8577-ad49917e2959.jpg/r0_0_703_1293_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
In the age of social media, one stipulation stands out: it asks that contestants have "not committed any crime or been involved in any inappropriate behaviour, photographs or films which may cause embarrassment to both parties if disclosed at a later date".
Deborah Miller, the Miss Universe Australia national director and a judge at yesterday's event, says such regulations were handed down from the international arm and aimed to maintain the integrity of the contest.
"It's an international pageant," she explains. "When you're Miss Universe, you need to travel, and you can't travel with small children."
Launceston's Annabel Eastoe is one woman to admit that entering had been pricey - clothes, shoes, fake tan, make-up and nails were factored into the mix.
It is an expensive exercise but Ms Miller and fellow judges Christopher Horne and Susie Downie insist that the competition does not discriminate. "It's more about healthy body image and being a role model for younger girls," Mr Horne says.
Ms Miller agrees: "It's very important that we judge fairly and honestly."
![Holly Mason of Hobart. Picture: Mark Jesser. Holly Mason of Hobart. Picture: Mark Jesser.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/9f3f8873-ede4-446f-9377-610629075203.jpg/r0_0_559_840_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
The competition has the potential to feel uncomfortable - 19 women have signed up to walk around in front of a room filled with strangers and be judged.
But far from the competitive nature that a contest based partly on looks could breed, most audience members whisper helpful answers under their breath in the question section and clap enthusiastically for competitors who seem a little overwhelmed.
First-time entrant Amanda Duncan says she quickly made good friends backstage, and she's not alone: another contestant uses her introduction to thank eventual winner Ms Gittus for letting her borrow a dress following a wardrobe malfunction.
Questions in the personality segment range from the competitor's position on CCTV around schools to how the contestant will convince the audience that they deserve the title.
Also in the mix are American gun laws (more restrictions), curfews to prevent alcohol-fuelled violence (more education) and the individual's biggest role model (Nelson Mandela).
Devonport's Georgie Bird gets thrown a curly one: is the death penalty an acceptable punishment?
"We've become more aware because of the Bali Nine," she begins.
"This is a really tough question because I think that when you go to a country and you disobey the rules you have to pay the price."
![Jessica O'Brien of Launceston. Picture: Mark Jesser. Jessica O'Brien of Launceston. Picture: Mark Jesser.](/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/silverstone-feed-data/ae1bdb2f-0d1c-4729-b712-b482a0dd82e8.jpg/r0_0_559_854_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg)
Each of yesterday's winners is from a different background: Ms Paige, a beauty therapist and trainee nail technician, has years of modelling experience but has never entered the competition.
"I like to make people look and feel great," Miss Paige says in her introduction.
"My confidence has really let me down. This has made me step outside my comfort zone."
Ms Gregg studies a Bachelor of Arts-Law and Philosophy at the University of Tasmania.
The Hobart woman explains that she has also become an advocate for the abolition of the death penalty worldwide and later lists her role model as Tasmanian Governor Kate Warner.
Her confidence pegs her as a winner early in the afternoon.
Ms Gittus is an ambassador for ovarian cancer awareness and will head to aviation college later this year.
In the words of host Andi Lew: "These competitors really have looks and brawn - who said you couldn't have both, huh?"
Ms Gregg, Ms Gittus and Ms Paige will hit the national stage in Melbourne in June.