AUSTRALIA'S Jennifer Hawkins nearly hyperventilated as she was crowned Miis Universe.
"It's such a weird feeling," she said yesterday.
"I was nearly hyperventilating and I didn't know what to do.
"Everyone was screaming and the judges were clapping and Donald Trump was in front of me clapping and the girls behind me were crying and I'm just thinking of my family and it was just the weirdest feeling I've ever had in my life.
"I'll remember it forever."
Hawkins, who had just two hours' sleep on Wednesday night, yesterday said she was "going OK".
The 20-year-old Bondi-based model and Newcastle Knights NRL team cheerleader was mobbed by hundreds of fans as she took to the streets of Quito in Ecuador, where the beauty pageant was held.
Hawkins, whose prize includes 12 months' accommodation at the luxurious Trump Tower in New York, described the multi-billionaire as "a lovely guy".
"After the show, he related me to Elle Macpherson, which is the biggest rap I've ever had in my life. He had a lot of good words to say about me," she said.
But the new Miss Universe is in for a nasty shock when she arrives back in Australia – a tax bill on all her prizes including her magnificent $28,000 crown.
National Tax and Accountants Association acting president Rob Warnock said the taxman will be putting his slide rule over all her prizes.
Her diamond-and-pearl crown, her substantial new wardrobe, cosmetics and beauty care products will all have to be declared.
Mr Warnock said the tax was "a bit over the top" given that Hawkins has done a lot of charity work for the pageant.
Hawkins' boyfriend, carpenter Jake Wall, yesterday revealed they met when she approached him in a Newcastle pub about six months ago.
"I thought I was lucky before she became Miss Universe ... but now she's extra special," he said.
http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au
