FORMER BEAUTY & THE GEEK STARLET OUR NEXT BIG JENNIFER HAWKINS HOPE

Former Beauty & The Geek Australia stunner, Kassandra Kashian has achieved success after reality TV stardom by taking out the title of Miss Grand Australia 2017 at a gala event in Sydney.

Kassandra, 22, beat out 20 beauties from around Australia to claim the crown, and will now represent Australia in October at Miss Grand International 2017 in Vietnam - one of the world's top 5 beauty pageants and Asia's answer to “Miss Universe”.

Kassandra appeared on Beauty & The Geek Australia in 2013 as a fresh-faced 18-year-old, and made the most of her reality TV fame by launching a widely-followed You Tube beauty blog, and working as a model.

“I was the youngest contestant on Beauty and The Geek,” said Kassandra. “It was my first time overseas, and I gained so much confidence and independence from the experience.”

The perfect combination of beauty and brains, Kassandra recently completed a Bachelor of Business, and now works as the National Events Co-ordinator at JMC Academy and The Academy of Film, Theatre & Television in Sydney.

Kassandra was drawn to the Miss Grand Australia pageant after watching the International finals in the past, and feeling a connection to the pageant's 'Stop the War and Violence' campaign, and judging criteria such as interview technique and social impact.

The pageant's 'Stop the War and Violence' campaign is all about working toward the betterment of humanity, and taking a stand to reduce and remove violence both at our doorstep and abroad – a cause close to Kassandra's heart.

“My grandmother fled Armenia for Egypt during the Armenian Genocide,” said Kassandra. “After this, my father migrated to Australia from Egypt, escaping a time of civil unrest leaving all of his possessions behind.”

“I feel I can appreciate how horrific war is as I have grown up hearing heartbreaking stories about my father's struggles. I've always wanted to help others have the second chance they deserve.”

In the lead up to Miss Grand Australia, Kassandra worked tirelessly to raise vital funds for Destiny Rescue; a not-for-profit charity dedicated to rescuing children trapped in the sex trade.

If Kassandra is successful in her pursuit of the International crown, she will be the second Australian to take out the title following Claire Elizabeth Parker’s controversial win in 2015.