BATTLE OF THE BRAINY BEAUTIES
THIS time last year Ariana Deeley was at Parliament working for a Federal MP on the Budget – now she’s trying to win Australia’s biggest swimwear contest.
Instead of poring over statements as politician Andrew Laming’s media adviser, she will spend the week strutting her stuff in a bikini.
She is one of five Gold Coasters among 32 finalists chasing a $20,000 prize pack and the cover of Maxim magazine and its 2018 calendar.
The Griffith University Bachelor of Journalism graduate quit her job in politics to pursue her “acting dream” and thanks her mum for convincing her to get a degree first.
“I’ll have my degree to fall back on with some experience up my sleeve as well,” she said,
The 23-year-old was third in 2014 and runner-up in 2015 before taking last year off.
“Last year I was at Parliament House during Budget week so it really is quite a bit different now hanging by the pool in a bikini.”
Her competition includes close pal Chloe Hurrell, who plans completing the final year of her psychology degree with honours next year.