Franki Russell was appointed Miss Universe New Zealand 2024 on 21st March 2024 by Josh Yugen, the director of Miss Universe New Zealand. She will represent New Zealand at Miss Universe 2024 to be held in Mexico City.
The 29-year-old Franki was born in New Zealand to a Kiwi-European father and a Filipino mother. The stunning Kiwi-Filipina beauty queen is an actor and model by profession. Raised in Dunedin, New Zealand, Russell moved to Sydney, New South Wales, Australia after she finished high school.
Franki is not now to the showbiz as she screened for Miss Universe New Zealand 2014 but did not make it that year. In 2014, she was one of seven Australians who competed at ‘Beauty and the Geek Australia’ Season 6.
In 2018, Franki participated in Pinoy Big Brother which gained her a lot of popularity. In 2021, Franki participated in Miss Universe UAE 2021 but the competition was cancelled. She has also starred in movies ‘Pabuya’, ‘Summer’, and ‘Martyr or Murderer’ to name a few.
On winning the opportunity to represent New Zealand at Miss Universe 2024, Franki took to her official social media as she wrote, “A new chapter. Where to begin. This really feels like a ten year journey in the making. I applied for Miss Universe New Zealand in 2014 - I was 19 at that time and really didn’t know who I was as a person. A lost girl just wanting to find her purpose and her place in this world. Now that I am 29, ten years older and with far more life experience, I realized that life definitely works in mysterious ways. As the saying goes: “everything happens for a reason”. and has lead me to this new role.”
“I dedicate this next chapter to my late father. Every day after school he would would ask me “What is the highlight of your day?” This taught me from a very young age to always look for that positivity in every day, in big or small ways. I know he is looking down and encouraging me every step of the way in my Miss Universe NZ journey and in the weeks and months to come as I prepare for the Miss Universe competition in Mexico. Of course, I want to thank my Filipina mama and my siblings for being an amazing support system for me. To Josh and the Yugen Group team, my Viva family, Primastella family, the entire Miss Universe organization, Khun Anne, Mr. Raul and Ms. O, for the trust and support and making this small-town girls’ dream come true. My friends, colleagues, glam team, the pageant media and everyone who are always there to support and celebrate all my little successes. This is your Miss Universe New Zealand 2024, Franki”, she added.
New Zealand holds one Miss Universe crown under its belt; Lorraine Downes won the crown in 1983 for New Zealand. The 73rd edition of Miss Universe is scheduled to be held later in the year in Mexico City where Miss Universe 2023 Sheynnis Palacios of Nicaragua will crown her successor at the end of the event finale.