An impressive Australian ‘environmental warrior’ has taken the title of Miss Earth.
Melbourne-born Jessica Lane was crowned Miss Earth in Manila, Philippines, beating 75 other contestants.
The event marked the first pageant for the 22-year-old, who attends university on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
The Miss Earth pageant aims to raise awareness of climate and environmental issues, something Jessica is passionate about.
“I want to be the voice of Mother Nature,” the stunning blonde said to the Herald of the sun after his victory.
“I’m really here on the environmental advocacy side,” he continued.
An impressive Australian ‘environmental warrior’ has taken the title of Miss Earth. Melbourne-born Jessica Lane (pictured) was crowned Miss Earth in Manila, Philippines, beating 75 other contestants.
She will be supported by finalist Miss Air (Hrafnhildur Haralds from Iceland). Miss Agua (Bea Millan-Windorski from the USA) and Miss Fuego (Niva Antezana from Peru). Everything in the photo
“I think pageants are an incredible platform for women to not only learn some incredible life skills, but also have the opportunity to amplify their voice for a cause.”
Jessica is the first Australian to win the Miss Earth title and aims to continue her “environmental advocacy” through this role.
She will be supported by the magnificent finalist Miss Air (Hrafnhildur Haralds from Iceland). Miss Agua (Bea Millan-Windorski from the USA) and Miss Fuego (Niva Antezana from Peru).
It comes after Miss Earth USA appointed wellness ambassadors to recognize mental health crises among contestants.
The move came after the death of Cheslie Kryst, 30, who jumped to her death from a Midtown apartment building in January 2022 after losing her battle with high-functioning depression.
After her death, Miss USA announced that she would expand her mental health services in an attempt to prevent another death after failing to protect Cheslie, who spoke openly about her struggles in the spotlight.
He began to integrate new workshops to help ‘avoid depression’ and generate coping mechanisms.
Miss Earth USA followed suit and announced what she claims will be the largest mental health initiative in the business, stating that it is an issue that affects the entire pageant.
The event marked the first pageant for the 22-year-old, who attends university on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.
The Miss Earth pageant aims to raise awareness of climate and environmental issues, something Jessica is passionate about.
Many contestants came forward after Cheslie’s death to share their own struggles, including Miss Earth 2017 and one of Cheslie’s best friends, Andreia Gibau, 27, of Brooklyn, and current Miss Earth Eco Emma Loney, 25. years, from Wisconsin.
“(His death) made me realize that no matter how well-known you are, what title you have or how famous you are, mental health affects everyone,” Loney told DailyMail.com.
‘And that the pressures of pageantry are real and the expectations of being perfect or needing to be perfect are real.
“I’ve definitely felt it myself and I was never Miss USA.”
Miss Earth USA national director Laura Clark, who currently resides in Switzerland, decided after Cheslie’s death that it would not happen again, not just in her own pageant, but in all pageants.
“After Cheslie’s death, we said our goal would be to make sure there was a clear initiative,” Clark told DailyMail.com.
‘That was definitely the turning point for me, personally, as a leader of the pageant community.
‘Say it’s all our responsibility, verbalize it and make it a priority in your organization and say, “What’s your plan?” And put it out there and make sure that all the state directors and everyone understand that these are our policies that we’re implementing and this is the plan that we need to focus on.’
The initiative includes different seminars, mindfulness breaks during pageant week, and the appointment of 10 wellness ambassadors, who are not only within Miss Earth USA, but across all US pageants.
Previously, the Miss Earth USA pageant had offered goody bags and backstage comfort services to its contestants who did not take home a “bigger crown.”
It has since shifted its focus to “integrating wellness and mental health into every aspect of our program,” Clark told DailyMail.com.
But in addition to the mindfulness breaks and wellness ambassadors, Miss Earth also hired a licensed mental counselor to “develop a program” for “the entire pageant community” to eliminate the “let’s go, let’s go, let’s go” vibe. and teach women how to have goals out of a shiny crown.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can contact Lifeline 13 11 14 or Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636.
“I want to be the voice of Mother Nature,” the stunning blonde told the Herald Sun after her win. “I’m really here on the environmental advocacy side,” he continued.