Pinay-Kiwi actress and model Franki Russell was announced as New Zealand's bet for the upcoming Miss Universe 2024 pageant on September 28, 2024, in Mexico. ICYDK, New Zealand has been on hiatus in the world's biggest beauty pageant and has not sent any competitors these past four years.
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Pinay-Kiwi Actress Franki Russell To Represent New Zealand At Miss Universe 2024
Dubai-based magazine XPEDITION announced the 29-year-old's appointment via the publication's Instagram. "After a four-year hiatus, Franki Russell will carry the torch of New Zealand to represent her culture at the 72nd Miss Universe in Mexico City," they wrote.
They also highlighted Franki's chosen advocacy—cyberbullying—which is a serious concern among the youth in New Zealand.
"Recognized as a reality star and actress in the Philippines, the half-Kiwi, half-Filipina beauty is eager to leverage her new platform to address a prevalent concern among youth in New Zealand and worldwide - cyberbullying."
Who is Franki Russell?
Franki is a Viva actress who rose to fame when she entered the eighth season of the hit reality show Pinoy Big Brother, where she was introduced as the "Stunning Wanderer ng New Zealand." She was eventually evicted after staying 42 days in the iconic yellow house.
In 2021, she joined the first-ever Miss Universe United Arab Emirates (UAE) pageant, where she would eventually make it to the Top 30.
In 2022, the 29-year-old model eventually ventured into acting and was seen in Ang Probinsyano as Hannah Robles. She also starred in the movie Pabuya with her ex-boyfriend Diego Loyzaga.
Despite delving into acting these last few years, Franki admitted to members of the press in the conference announcing her appointment that being a beauty queen has always been her *lifelong* dream.
"I was focusing more on acting in the last few years. The opportunity has just always been not aligned, I guess. And now I feel like I know now why it led me to this very moment. Miss Universe New Zealand is my destiny," she noted.
She revealed: "I think some of you may not know it, but in 2014, I auditioned for Miss Universe New Zealand while living in Australia. Ten years ago, I couldn't push forward because I went with a different opportunity."
Now that she's set to represent her native country in the world's biggest beauty pageant, Franki said that she will take a leave of absence from acting to concentrate on training for the competition.
"Miss Universe will definitely be my only focus right now. I mean, all I'm looking for is how I can give back, and this is definitely my focus," she concluded.
We're happy for you, Franki!
