Jennifer Hawkins

Jennifer Hawkins (born 22 December 1983) is an Australian TV host, model and beauty queen who was crowned Miss Universe 2004, She previously been crowned Miss Universe Australia 2004.

She was the host of Australia's Next Top Model, and was brand ambassador for Lovable Intimates, Mount Franklin Lightly Sparkling and Range Rover, and formerly the face of Australian department store Myer.

Hawkins was born in Holmesville, New South Wales, to Gail and Robert.

She attended West Wallsend High School in West Wallsend, New South Wales.

She is one of four siblings.

Hawkins was a cheerleader for the Newcastle Knights rugby league team, and the Hunter Pirates basketball team and also worked as a model.

It was as a model that she was cast as Miss Australia for the Miss Universe competition.

Hawkins also worked as a choreographer for a dance team that toured Australia specialising in Hip Hop and Ballet.

Hawkins was the second winner from Oceania since Lorraine Downes of New Zealand held the title in 1983, and the second Australian since Kerry Anne Wells who was crowned in Dorado, Puerto Rico in 1972 (Coincidentally both women were crowned in Spanish speaking countries).

Hawkins was crowned by outgoing titleholder Amelia Vega from the Dominican Republic, after being announced by host Billy Bush as the "thunder from down under".

Hawkins received an elaborate Mikimoto pearl encrusted crown, worth $250,000, as well as an extensive prize package.

Hawkins was the first blonde-haired woman to win the title since Angela Visser of the Netherlands in 1989.

As Miss Universe, Hawkins represented the Miss Universe Organization.

During the final competition, she became the first Australian to make the semi-finals since Voni Delfos in 1993.

She then proceeded to the top ten after competing in the evening gown competition, where she wore an unusual vintage copper gown that was designed by Bora and cost A$25,000.

After the swimsuit competition, Hawkins advanced to the top five, and eventually won the Miss Universe title.

The remaining top five were all delegates from the Americas and Caribbean, including Shandi Finnessey of the USA (1st runner-up), Alba Reyes of Puerto Rico (2nd runner-up), Yanina Gonzalez of Paraguay (3rd runner-up) and Danielle Jones of Trinidad and Tobago (4th runner-up).

Before participating in Miss Universe 2004, Hawkins sought advice from the previous Miss Australia, Ashlea Talbot, who represented Australia in the 2003 competition, and learned basic Spanish prior to travelling to Ecuador.

However, Hawkins did not participate as Miss Australia but as the newly instated pageant Miss Universe Australia's first winner.

The Miss Universe pageant was held in Quito, Ecuador, on 1 June 2004.

A week prior to the event, Hawkins was ranked sixth favourite to win the crown.

Her "sister" 2004 titleholders were Shelley Hennig (Miss Teen USA, of Louisiana) and Shandi Finnessey (Miss USA, of Missouri).

Shortly after being crowned Miss Universe in 2004, Hawkins created news during a fashion show at Westfield Miranda, an Australian shopping centre, when she tripped on the hem of her dress, which fell to the floor.

Hawkins was left scantily clad in her red g-string in front of a surprised crowd.

Hawkins later apologised, laughingly adding she "wished she wore better underwear".

The incident received the dubious distinction of being named "The most embarrassing moment ever shown on Australian television" by Australia's Nine Network.

The "wardrobe malfunction" was widely circulated through news outlets and according to Google, caused a sharp increase in internet searches for "Jennifer Hawkins".

Hawkins signed a contract with the Seven Network at the 2004 Melbourne Cup Carnival.

Her first appearances were as a guest presenter on the network's travel show, The Great Outdoors, where she took viewers on tours throughout the world.

During her reign, Hawkins travelled to Korea, The Bahamas, Brazil, Czech Republic, Germany, Greece, Singapore, Indonesia, Canada, Trinidad and Tobago, India, Ecuador, Mexico, Puerto Rico, had multiple trips to Thailand, the host of Miss Universe 2005, and her home country of Australia.

In Brazil, after an official meeting with Vice-President José Alencar, he said she was "the prettiest girl I have ever seen in my life".

Also, she was the first Miss Universe ever to parade in a Samba School (as Eve) during Brazilian carnival, in February 2005.

As part of her year-long reign as Miss Universe, she lived in New York City in a riverside apartment provided by the Miss Universe Organization.

At this time, Hawkins stated that her wish was to continue modelling and become a television presenter.

When she ended her reign as Miss Universe, she became a regular presenter on the show, which resulted in a 2006 Logie nomination for Most Popular New Female Talent.

Hawkins served as a judge for the Miss Universe 2008 finals in Vietnam.

Hawkins also served as the host and one of the judges for Australia's Make Me a Supermodel, which debuted on the Seven Network in August 2008.

The series aired for a single season.

No new episodes of the programme have been produced since 2009.

Media outlets reported in October 2010 that Hawkins would depart Seven and move to the Nine Network after the expiration of her contract.