Australia’s new queens (from left) Bella Dela Cruz, Alexa Roder, and Ariana Gravador. Images: Courtesy of Stargazer Production
Filipino-American women emerged victorious in the recently concluded Queens of Australia pageant, earning the right to represent the “Land Down Under” on the international stage.
Three Australian women of Filipino heritage took home the major titles at the end of the national competition held at the Bryan Brown Theater in New South Wales on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 7. Nine ladies took part in the contest.
Alexa Roder from Queensland was crowned Miss Earth Australia, succeeding Jessica Lane, the first Australian woman to win the Miss Earth title.
The new queen is set to compete in the 25th staging of the Manila-based Miss Earth pageant that will be held later this year, and try to post a second consecutive win for Australia.
Crowned Miss International Australia was Bella Dela Cruz from New South Wales. She had recently competed in the 2025 Miss Universe Philippines pageant, where she finished in the Top 24.
She was fielded by the Filipino community in Australia for the 2025 Miss Universe Philippines pageant to represent Sydney. But she eventually carried her Filipino hometown of Lucena in the national competition.
Dela Cruz succeeded last year’s Australian Miss International delegate, Selina McCloskey, and is set to compete in the 63rd edition of the global tilt that will be held in Tokyo, Japan, in November.
The third big winner was Adriana Gravador, also from New South Wales. She was crowned Miss Eco Australia and is set to compete in next year’s Miss Eco International pageant, and try to succeed the Filipino queen Alexie Mae Brooks.
Three more titleholders were proclaimed at the pageant, all from New South Wales — Miss Earth Australia Fire Jamie Boyd, Miss Earth Australia-Water Andrea Alexis, and Miss Earth Australia-Air Tania Sheckleton.
The Queens of Australia pageant is organized by Stargazer Production and serves as the national competition for the country’s delegates to the Miss Earth, Miss International, and Miss Eco International pageants. /edv
