TEGAN Martin should be nervous.
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The 22-year-old Newcastle-born beauty queen will on New Year’s Eve fly to Miami to represent Australia in the second most watched event in the world – the 63rd Miss Universe Pageant.
It’s the opportunity of a lifetime, but Martin has a plan.
A model, actor and student, Martin says she will draw on experience gained from three Miss Universe Australia tilts in four years to provide the ideal competitive balance.
‘‘I remember my first time of competing in the Miss Universe Australia competition, I was kind of flying by the seat of my pants and didn’t really think about winning,’’ Martin said.
‘‘The first time I wasn’t really sure what I had gotten myself into, but the second time I entered I was really focused and really motivated, but I didn’t enjoy it as much.
‘‘I didn’t qualify for the international final either of those years, but the third time I found the perfect balance and that’s what I’m hoping to do again in Miami.
‘‘You are being judged all the time and people are always observing you so the more you genuinely enjoy yourself and look like you are enjoying yourself the more likely you are to succeed.
‘‘I don’t want to look back and think I didn’t enjoy it or not remember it because I was trying too hard to be focused.’’
Martin finished first runner-up at the Miss Universe national final in 2011, took a year off then finished first runner-up again in 2013.
In her third and final attempt in Melbourne in June this year, Martin finally claimed the coveted crown, becoming the first Novocastrian chosen to represent Australia at the world’s biggest pageant since Jennifer Hawkins was crowned Miss Universe in 2004.
Martin has been furiously preparing for the international final for months, but made time to return home over Christmas to visit family and friends in Jewells.
She said her mum Cherie, dad Mick, and brother Scott were ‘‘nervous and excited’’ as she prepares to fly out to Miami.
‘‘They told me to enjoy the moment, because I’m going to look back in a few years and wish I could do it all again,’’ she said.
Martin will fly out for Miami on New Year’s Eve. She will meet up with the other 89 contestants from around the world before embarking on three weeks of build-up to the big event, including modelling, interviews, rehearsals, charity events, hospital visits and sponsorship and promotional appearances.
The Miss Universe competition is among the world’s most watched events, second only to the FIFA World Cup, and attracts one billion viewers worldwide.
‘‘I’ll be nervous when it’s finally here, but I’m not really feeling anything at the moment,’’ she said. ‘‘I’m just excited for it to finally be here, it’s been a long wait and a lot of anticipation and preparation.’’
Contestants are judged on three categories – swimwear, evening wear and the ‘‘personal interview’’ – and Martin said she had been working with a personal trainer, naturopath and a speech and voice coach for months.
The six months since being crowned Miss Universe Australia had allowed her time to reflect.
‘‘I have looked back on it, with my girlfriends on Boxing Day, we were comparing what had changed between then and now,’’ Martin said. ‘‘So much has happened since I won and the good thing is when I return home I will still have a few months of being Miss Universe Australia.
‘‘It’s definitely gone fast, but I’m going to cherish every second, it’s been the best thing that has ever happened to me.’’
Martin will have family and friends in the audience at the Florida International University for the event on January 25.
