Miss Cosmo New Zealand Franki Russell makes a statement at the national costume competition./MISS COSMO FACEBOOK PHOTO
Filipino-Kiwi actress Franki Russell, New Zealand’s delegate to the first-ever staging of the Miss Cosmo pageant, turned the global tilt’s national costume competition into a platform for spreading a positive impact to the international community.
During her moment on stage, she swung to reveal her cape that bore the statement “YOU ARE WORTHY” at the end of the runway at the ceremonies held at the Thung Nham Ecotourism Area in the Hao Lu district of the northern Vietnamese province of Ninh Binh on Thursday night, Sept. 19.
“I want to inspire others to chase their dreams and not be discouraged by setbacks or rejections,” Russell said in a post shared on the Miss Cosmo New Zealand Instagram account. The actress was appointed as the country’s representative to the international competition just last month, after her participation in the 2024 Miss Universe pageant was dashed by certain developments.
“Every journey has its hurdles, but persistence is key. We must continue to fight for what we believe in,” continued the 30-year-old actress and model, who first screened for the Miss New Zealand pageant a decade ago. She then moved to the Philippines to pursue a career in the local entertainment industry.
Miss Cosmo New Zealand Franki Russell parades a costume inspired by the kiwi bird and the ‘All Blacks’ rugby team. /MISS COSMO FACEBOOK PHOTO
She shot to fame as a housemate in the adult phase of “Pinoy Big Brother Otso,” the eighth season of the reality TV show on ABS-CBN. She then embarked on an acting career and appeared in TV shows and films. Russell also screened for what was supposed to be the first search for Miss Universe United Arab Emirates in 2021.
In her interviews then as Miss Universe New Zealand, and now as Miss Cosmo New Zealand, Russell has declared to be a staunch advocate against cyber bullying. Having been on the receiving end of hurtful comments online, and having personally witnessed others experiencing the same, she views pageantry as an effective platform to inspire the responsible use of social media among the people.
Aside from encouraging the people to see their own worth, Russell’s costume also evokes the spirit of New Zealand by taking inspiration from the Kiwi, the country’s national bird that is also endangered. The color also represents New Zealand’s popular national rugby team called the “All Blacks.”
The 2024 Miss Cosmo coronation night will be held at the Phu Tho Stadium in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on Oct. 5. The Philippines is represented by 2018 Miss International first runner-up Ahtisa Manalo in the competition.