Miss Australia Rachael Finch exposes Miss USA Kirsten Dalton Talks in her sleep

Miss Australia Rachael Finch disclosed that her roommate Miss USA Kirsten Dalton has a sleeping disorder of somniloquy or she talks in her sleep.

In an interview with an Australian news site, Rachael said that Kirsten is beautiful, smart and cute. When she walked to her room in Bahamas, Miss USA welcomed her with a big hug and a very loud 'hello'.

"She actually talks in her sleep too."

Kirsten had the privilege to personally choose Rachael as her roommate.

Miss Australia Rachael Finch National Costume and Long Gown

Miss Universe Australia Rachael Finch showcases the 'Cappellazzo Couture' outfit at the official unveiling of the Australian national costume and wardrobe for Miss Universe at Park Hyatt Hotel on July 24, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia.

Miss Universe Australia Rachael Finch showcases the 'Sunset over the Opera House' outfit by Ruth Tarvydas at the official unveiling of the Australian national costume and wardrobe for Miss Universe at Park Hyatt Hotel on July 24, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. Ruth Tarvydas designed the 'Sunset over the Opera House' national costume, which Finch will wear at the pageant final in the Bahamas in August.

Rachael Finch will be in the Top 15 of Miss Universe 2009

Rachael Finch, Miss Australia Universe 2009, in a swimsuit during her national pageant.

We would love to make our Top 15 prediction for the Miss Universe 2009 but it's too early. We'll do it later but as early as now we are sure Miss Australia Rachael Finch will be one of them.

Why are we so sure? It's because Donald Trump, the owner of the pageant, is really trying so hard to win the Australians. He wanted Miss Universe to be hosted by Australia for the second time.

In fact, he offered the hosting of Miss Universe 2009 to some cities in Australia but he was refused because they weren't interested. Now, he wanted to bring the pageant closer to the Aussies.

Donald is determined to get the Aussies' attention. Read this article from news.com.au. Donald is full of praise for Rachael and Jennifer Hawkins, Miss Universe 2004, is one of his all-time favourite Miss Universe.

Just to add, I remember reading a book authored by Donald Trump that his most favourite Miss Universe is Amelia Vega of Dominican Republic who won the pageant in 2003 in Panama. I forgot the title of that mini-book but I report this when I find it out.

Here's the news.

Miss Universe 2004, Jennifer Hawkins

MISS Universe pageant co-owner Donald Trump is full of praise for Australia's Rachael Finch as she tries to follow in the footsteps of one of his all-time favourite winners, Jennifer Hawkins.

The tycoon said he had heard only good things about the current Miss Universe Australia and had been informed the Queenslander was "wonderful".

"I've heard Rachael is beautiful and I hear she's a lovely lady," Trump said.

The glamorous 21-year-old from Townsville will travel to the Bahamas next month in the hope of clinching the crown, won by Hawkins five years ago.

Trump, who also owns the Miss USA competition, said Hawkins was one of his favourites because she was so problem-free, unlike many others.

"Jennifer Hawkins is one of my all-time favourite Miss Universes," Trump said.

"She's phenomenal. She's a great person and just absolutely beautiful.

"She was absolutely great, she was so problem-free."

Trump's pageants have been riddled with controversy recently.

Miss Universe Australia finalist Stephanie Naumoska made international headlines for her skeletal-like frame. "

I think she was too thin, but I hope she's better,'' Trump said.

In the Miss USA competition, the most recent Miss California was dethroned after missed appearances, topless photos and homophobic comments.

But Trump admitted controversy can be positive too.

"Frankly the controversy is a good thing, not a bad thing, because everyone's talking about my pageants," Trump said.

Miss Australia Universe 2009 Rachael Finch Gown Designer

The designer of Myf Warhurst's controversial Logies dress is to create a show-stopping gown for Miss Universe Australia Rachael Finch's international final.

Warhurst burnt the Sonia Cappellazzo-designed blue, single-sleeve dress after newspaper readers voted it the "worst" on the red carpet.

But stunning 21-year-old beauty pageant winner Rachael, in Melbourne this week for preliminary discussions for the all-important evening gown, says she has confidence in Cappellazzo.

"It's a real privilege for me to be dressed by Sonia, I love her stuff," she said.

Rachael has had more on her mind lately than dresses.

Her mother, Colleen Zablocki, has been suffering from a serious tumour on her shoulder, which she had removed this week.

"Luckily it came back non-cancerous," Rachael said.

Preparations for the Miss Universe finals in the Bahamas in August have also been intense for the young model. "It's been crazy since winning," she said.

Radio host Myf was so miffed by the furore surrounding her frock she burnt it live on her breakfast show.

But Cappellazzo stands by the dress, saying it was ahead of its time. "I know it was bagged by the public, but if you look at the catwalks, that's what Chanel and Louis Vuitton are doing," she said.

Miss Universe Australia Rachael Finch told to refine accent

TOWNSVILLE beauty queen Rachael Finch has been advised to lose her "Queensland accent" before she contests the Miss Universe final later this year.

The 20-year-old, who last week was named as Australia's latest entrant in the annual pageant, faces several months of intensive grooming by beauty contest experts before the final judging in the Bahamas on August 23.

Miss Universe Australia president Deborah Miller said Miss Finch had all the elements needed to win the lucrative international competition, but her skills needed to be "refined".

"We've got to work on the walk, so people go 'wow' when she comes out," Ms Miller said.

"She's also very Queensland, and Queensland has a bit of a different accent. So, I think it's about just trying to refine her accent a little."

Miss Finch yesterday said she was not offended.

"Competing in an international pageant, it's something you have to be aware of. I'm happy to work on it, it's just part of the competition," she said.

"But my Queensland accent will always be a part of me. That's where I grew up and it will always stay with me."

Miss Finch is now based in Sydney, after moving there from Townsville six months ago. She works as a model and as a presenter for a closed-circuit television production company.

Her boyfriend of 18 months is Sunshine Coast radio announcer Angus O'Loughlin.

"She's stunning inside and out," Mr O'Loughlin said.

"Everything she does, she puts herself wholeheartedly into and this (competition) is no exception. I think she's going to be a really good ambassador for Australia."

Miss Finch said she stays fit by doing activities like running, cycling and swimming, but revealed she also treats herself to chocolate or ice cream at least once a week.

"Everything in moderation is the key," she said.

Australia has a long history in the Miss Universe pageant. Jennifer Hawkins won the title in 2004, and Kerry Anne Wells was successful in 1972.

Health key to triumph for Miss Universe Australia Rachael Finch

RACHAEL Finch stumbled on a question about the challenges of federal government, but that didn't stop the Townsville model from claiming the Miss Universe Australia title last night.

The 20-year-old model and TV presenter beat a field of 30 in a lavish ceremony at Sydney's Hilton Hotel last night.

The leggy brunette won over the judges despite getting tongue-tied during the Q&A section of the contest.

Asked to name the greatest challenges facing the Rudd Government, the aspiring author of a self-help book said "a variety of things" before settling on healthy living.

Finch is an ambassador for the Australian Heart Foundation.

"I just did the best I could," she said after the ceremony. "People just need to be aware of their finances. They need to learn, listen and adapt to their budget and lifestyle."

As well as more than $25,000 in prizes, the new Miss Universe Australia will earn the right to compete in the Miss Universe World finals to be held in the Bahamas in August.

Laura Dundovic, last year's winner, who crowned Finch, dismissed suggestions that beauty pageants were oudated.

"Jennifer Hawkins has shown it's not only a year but a career," Dundovic said, referring to 2004 winner Hawkins, who went on to become Miss Universe and the face of department store Myer.

Last night's competition compromised three categories: swimwear, evening wear and a question-and-answer session with the panel of seven judges.

Judges were looking for what contest organisers called "social intelligence".

"They'll be looking for someone who's warm and intelligent," Miss Universe Australia national director Deborah Miller said before the announcement.

"They'll be looking for someone whom the Australian public can relate to."

An attractive figure is also a key part of getting to the Bahamas. "A girl who looks fit and healthy will be marked higher," Ms Miller said.

Contestants answered questions from the seven-member judging panel, including former Noiseworks frontman Jon Stevens, with queries such as what they would say about Australia to an international audience.

The runner-up was Victorian cheerleader Jade Russell. This year more than 7000 women registered, double last year's total. Ms Miller said the standard of entrants showed the contest was not just about physical beauty.

"We're seeing a lot more well-educated and professional young women this year, including those from legal and medical professions, who are hoping to emulate the success of previous winners."

"Follow your Dreams" says Miss Australia Universe, a TV Presenter

Follow your dreams and reach for the stars because one day you will get there.

So says Rachael Finch, a beautiful brown-eyed brunette from Townsville who was crowned Miss Universe Australia 2009 at Sydney's Hilton hotel last night.

The 20-year-old model and television presenter beat 31 other finalists to win the award formerly won by Jennifer Hawkins, who then famously went on to become Miss Universe in 2004.

That same year, Finch took out the Queensland young model of the year title in Townsville's Opal Fashion Bash pageant.

Model scout Henry Peterson encouraged her to enter the pageant after spotting her "underneath the wings of a Boeing 747 at Townsville Airport".

"When I first saw her I knew she was special," he said.

"I told her: 'You'll be bigger than Jennifer Hawkins.'"

Finch has since moved to Sydney, where she has obtained work through Chadwick model agency.

She is also a television presenter with Platinum Television, which provides video content for bars and events.

She described winning the Miss Universe Australia title as surreal.

"How do I describe the feeling? What words do I use because to me it's like a dream," she said.

"I feel like I'm in, literally, a dream. It's surreal."

For others wishing to follow in her footsteps, she said it was important to "stay focused, stay humble and be true to yourself".

"Coming from such a small town it's not only somewhere to grow up that's naturally beautiful but you really learn the value of growing in that small community and you get a lot of support and love and you can take that in your heart and take that to a bigger city or move on with your life and your career and really make a change.

"Follow your heart and reach for the stars because one day you will get there and that is what this is all about."

Stephanie Naumoska in Miss Universe Australia skinny furore

THE Miss Universe Australia pageant has been hit with "skinny model" controversy after it was determined one entrant is officially malnourished.

Hurstville model Stephanie Naumoska, 19, is one of 32 girls from more than 7000 applicants to make the final in the event which promotes "healthy, proportioned, bodies''.

But Naumoska's gaunt appearance at a preview parade last night drew immediate criticism from onlookers, one saying she was "way too boney''.

"Contestants who had been eliminated were there and they said she clearly shouldn't have made the final because she is just too skinny,'' one said.

The model's agency website lists her as 180cm and weighing just 49kgs, which practicing dietician Melanie McGrice said gave her a Body Mass Index of 15.1.

"The World Health Authority rates people with a BMI of less than 18 as malnourished,'' she said today.

"She would be categorised as underweight and I would certainly want to be doing an assessment of her diet to make sure she doesn't have some type of eating disorder.

"With a BMI like that, she needs blood tests, diet analysis and an overall assessment.''

Naumoska was unavailable for comment and in rehearsals for tonight's event, but pageant director Deborah Miller reacted sharply to the suggestion she looked unhealthy.

"This girl has Macedonian heritage and if you have been there you would know it is a Macedonian body type,'' she said.

"They have long, lithe bodies and small bones _ it is their body type, just like asian girls tend to be small.

"So she does not have an eating disorder, there is nothing wrong with her.''

But nutritionist Susie Burrell said there was no such Macedonian body type.

"There is no evidence published anywhere to back up that assertion,'' she said.

"From examining photographs there does appear to be significant muscle wasting on the upper arm and legs.

"Individuals with a healthy BMI do not have such protruding bones _ especially around the rib and hip area.''

The finalists will parade in swimwear at the pagenat at the Hilton Hotel tonight, then parade in evening gowns before a final question and answer session with judges.

They include celebrity judges Deborah Hutton, Jon Stevens, designer Charlie Brown ad John Bailey, with panel head by pageant veteran Jonathan Westbrook.

"The swimwear section helps us determine if someone is fit, healthy and well proportioned,'' he said.

Rachael Finch becomes Miss Universe Australia

RACHAEL Finch, a beautiful brown-eyed brunette from Townsville, was crowned Miss Universe Australia 2009 at Sydney's Hilton Hotel last night.

The event was held at the same time as the winner of Cleo's Bachelor of the Year was announced on the other side of town.

Finch, a 20-year-old model and television presenter, beat 31 other finalists to win the award formerly won by Jennifer Hawkins, who then famously went on to become Miss Universe in 2004.

That same year, Finch took out the Queensland young model of the year title in Townsville's Opal Fashion Bash pageant.

Model scout Henry Peterson encouraged her to enter the pageant after spotting her "underneath the wings of a Boeing 747 at Townsville Airport".

"When I first saw her I knew she was special," he said.

"I told her: 'You'll be bigger than Jennifer Hawkins'."

Rachael has since moved to Sydney, where she has obtained work through Chadwick model agency.

She is also a TV presenter with Platinum Television, which provides video content for bars and events.

She described winning the Miss Universe Australia title as surreal.

"How do I describe the feeling? What words do I use because to me it's like a dream," she said.

"I feel like I'm in literally, a dream. It's surreal."

For others wishing to follow in her footsteps, she said it was important to "stay focused, stay humble and be true to yourself".

"Coming from such a small town it's not only somewhere to grow up that's naturally beautiful but you really learn the value of growing in that small community and you get a lot of support and love and you can take that in your heart and take that to a bigger city or move on with your life and your career and really make a change.

"Follow your heart and reach for the stars because one day you will get there and that is what this is all about."