Frances Russell (born 24 July 1994) is a Filipina–New Zealand actress and beauty pageant contestant, who was appointed Miss Cosmo New Zealand 2024 and represented New Zealand at Miss Cosmo 2024.[1][2]
Franki Russell | |
|---|---|
| Born | Frances Margaret Grant Russell 24 July 1994 Dunedin, New Zealand |
| Occupations |
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| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title | Miss Cosmo New Zealand 2024 |
| Major competition(s) |
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Russell was appointed Miss Universe New Zealand 2024 and was to compete at Miss Universe 2024,[3][2] but due to controversies of her career in acting and the cancellation of the Miss Universe New Zealand franchise, her title was removed.[4]
In 2019, Russell moved to the Philippines to pursue a professional modelling career, and appeared as a housemate on Filipino reality television show, Pinoy Big Brother. She began acting in 2022, when she appeared in Ang Probinsyano.[5] She was among the top 30 finalist in the Miss Universe United Arab Emirates 2021.[1]
Early life
editRussell was born and raised in Dunedin, New Zealand, to a New Zealand father and a Filipina mother.[6] At 18, she moved to Sydney, and later to Philippines in 2019, to pursue her career in acting and modeling.[2]
Pageantry
editOn 14 October 2021, Russell participated in Miss Universe United Arab Emirates,[7] and reached the top 30 before the cancellation of the contest.[8][9]
On 21 March 2024, Russell was appointed Miss Universe New Zealand.[10] She was expected to represent New Zealand in the Miss Universe 2024 at Mexico, however due to her controversial acting career and the cancellation of the Miss Universe New Zealand franchise with Yugen PR (who owned the franchise) as a result of "the team's non-compliance with a specific order from the Miss Universe Organization", Russell was stripped from her title.[10][4] According to her interview with Boy Abunda, Russell believed the reason for the cancellation of the franchise was due to the "racy" nature of her films and the Miss Universe New Zealand franchise holders refusal to strip her from her title.[11]
On 30 August 2024, the Miss Cosmo Organization released a post revealing that Russell was appointed as the New Zealand representative in Miss Cosmo 2024, in its inaugural pageant.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b Abad, Ysa (24 March 2024). "'A new chapter': Franki Russell to represent New Zealand in Miss Universe 2024". Rappler. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ a b c NEPALES, JANET SUSAN R. (27 June 2024). "Beauty queen Franki Russell on being half-Pinay half-Kiwi, her first time at the Cannes Film Festival". GMA News Online. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Abad, Ysa (24 March 2024). "'A new chapter': Franki Russell to represent New Zealand in Miss Universe 2024". Rappler. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ a b "Franki Russell shares her Miss Universe New Zealand stint halted due to past Viva movies | Philstar.com". www.philstar.com. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ "From 'PBB' to Miss Universe UAE: Get to know Franki Russell". Philstar Life. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ Adina, Armin P. (22 March 2024). "Former 'PBB' housemate Franki Russell to represent New Zealand in Miss Universe". Inquirer. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ Aseoche, Therese (18 October 2021). "This Former "Pinoy Big Brother" Housemate Joins Miss Universe UAE – When In Manila". www.wheninmanila.com. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ Bracamonte, Earl D. C. "Ex-PBB housemate among Miss Universe UAE top 30". Philstar.com. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ Tusing, David (7 November 2021). "Miss Universe UAE coronation night cancelled because of 'time constraints'". The National. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ a b III, Sean Castelo (27 March 2024). "Franki Russell is Miss Universe New Zealand 2024, the First Representative in 5 Years". MEGA. Retrieved 28 May 2024.
- ^ The Boy Abunda Talk Channel (24 August 2024). The Purple Chair Interview with Franki Russell. Retrieved 30 August 2024 – via YouTube.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved 30 August 2024.