Daijiworld Media Network

Melbourne, Jun 27: Mangalurean Priya Serrao was crowned Miss Universe Australia on Thursday, June 27.

Victorian beauty was still in shock after being crowned the winner.

The Australian-Ugandan was Bella Kasimba was runner up.

Priya Serrao, aged 27, hailed her victory as a beginner’s luck after entering her first pageant.

“I don’t know what to say. They will know when they see me on TV. I honestly just entered, part of it was experience to see what it would be like. I didn’t even think … oh man I can’t believe I’m here.” Priya said.

Priya has her roots in Belman near Karkala.  Her relatives live in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts. 

“The fact that two women of colour were up here is incredible,” she said.

“I just want to see more diversity and the fact someone that looks like me and has my background is here is amazing.”

Priya Serrao had not even invited her family to the event at Sofitel Melbourne on Collins because she did not think she would win.

Priya Serrao was born in India, but later spent most of her early childhood living in Oman and the United Arab Emirates. When she was 11, the family immigrated to Australia and settled in Melbourne. She has two university degrees , one in arts and one in law. Prior to becoming Miss Universe Australia, Serrao worked as a policy adviser for the Government of Victoria, and was to be admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria as a lawyer later in 2019.

Serrao began her pageantry career in 2019, applying for the Miss Universe Australia 2019 competition. She was later selected as one of the national finalists in the competition for the state of Victoria on 10 March 2019.

She will now represent Australia in the Miss Universe 2019 competition.