RECOGNITION on the world stage is a 14-year-old aspiring model’s dream.
Madison Croft, from Oakville, has travelled far and wide in the name of strutting her stuff on the pageant circuit.
She has now gone as far as she can go in global pageant competitions for her age group, and hopes to compete for Miss Universe when she’s old enough - in three year’s time.
“I really want to look into a modelling career and get that started but since I’m 14 I still have a few years to go. Wherever my future takes me, it will be in modelling or pageantry,” she told the Gazette.
Ms Croft is in Year 9 at Bede Polding College. She’s spent quite a bit of time off school this year to participate in pageants, but she says it’s all worth it.
“To prepare for pageants you have to really get the experience of becoming more comfortable within yourself and gaining more confidence. I’ll do fundraisers and charity events and get contacts and get invited to places to make speeches,” she said.
Ms Croft’s pageant pilgrimage began earlier this year with the Australia Galaxy Pageant, for which she reached the Gold Coast-based finals in the Miss Teen Galaxy Australia category.
Next, she won the Miss Teenager Universe Australia category at the MAQuest pageant in Newcastle.
From there, she went on to compete in her first international competition, Miss Teen Continents Australia in Las Vegas, where she placed 1st Runner Up.
Most recently, she won the Miss Teenager Model category at international pageant Miss Teenager Universe in Guatemala.
Ms Croft’s mother, Kate, attends all pageants with her, and often does her hair and makeup. At international pageants, a professional makeup artist and hairdresser will often be provided.
Her pageant costumes are made professionally by a Newcastle-based custom designer.
“Appearance is always going to come into it but they don’t want someone to win it just because they’re beautiful on the outside. They want the winner to be beautiful on the inside, too,” said Ms Croft.