Our Miss World success takes aim at stereotypes

GOLD Coaster Tess Alexander is the gun-toting glamazon shaking up the beauty pageant scene.

The new Miss World Australia is raising eyebrows with her topless selfies and passion for firearms.

A fair-skinned, red-headed beauty, the 24-year-old took out the crown during the finals in Perth this week.

“I am not the typical beauty queen,” the former Miami High student said.

“I don’t look like your typical Australian, I don’t have blonde hair and I’m not very tanned.

“Hopefully, I can show people that you don’t have to look or think a certain way.”

Working as an international model for several years, Ms Alexander has an impressive portfolio that includes risque lingerie shoots.

In one shoot for a Russian fashion magazine, featured on her Instagram account, she poses, holding her bare breasts. “That was a great time in my life, I lived in Italy for two years and I spent a lot of time overseas,” she said.

“I was 17, 18 coming out of school and finding my way.”

There are also uploaded videos of her at a firing range.

“It’s fun,’’ she said. “I’m all about learning new things.’’

A spokeswoman for Miss World Australia said the organisation fully backed their winner. Ms Alexander heads to the Miss World finals in China in December.