Lorraine Downes
Encyclopedia
Lorraine Elizabeth Downes (born 12 June 1964) is a New Zealand former beauty queen who held the Miss Universe
title in 1983 and won the New Zealand version of the reality TV show Dancing with the Stars
in 2006.
broadcast live from St. Louis, Missouri
in July 1983. After the preliminary competition, Downes made the top twelve cut in sixth place, but placed second in the final evening gown competition, third in the interview competition, and fourth in swimsuit. She made the final five in third place behind Julie Hayek
of the USA
and Lolita Morena
of Switzerland
, and was eventually crowned Miss Universe
. She wore a midnight blue gown and long gloves during the competition. Downes' win was New Zealand's first in the pageant's history, although Diana Delyse Nottle had placed second runner-up to Shawn Weatherly in 1980
and Donella Thomsen was a semi-finalist in 1981. No other delegate from New Zealand would make the cut until 1992.
, a New Zealand rugby
All Black
, with whom she had two children (son Hilton and daughter Jasmine), before divorcing in 2001. She also has a successful business in New Zealand. She is now married to former New Zealand international cricketer Martin Crowe
.
After years of relative anonymity, Downes competed in and won the New Zealand version
of Dancing with the Stars
in 2006 with dance partner Aaron Gilmore.
Miss Universe 1983
Miss Universe 1983, the 32nd Miss Universe pageant, was held at Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri, USA on July 11, 1983. 19-year-old Lorraine Downes of New Zealand was crowned Miss Universe 1983, the first woman from that country to win the title...
title in 1983 and won the New Zealand version of the reality TV show Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars (New Zealand TV series)
Dancing with the Stars is a New Zealand television series based on the British series Strictly Come Dancing. The show introduces eight local celebrities paired with professional ballroom danceers who each week compete against each other in a competition to impress a panel of judges and the viewing...
in 2006.
Miss Universe
Downes won the Miss New Zealand title and went on to represent her country at the 1983 Miss Universe pageantMiss Universe 1983
Miss Universe 1983, the 32nd Miss Universe pageant, was held at Kiel Auditorium, St. Louis, Missouri, USA on July 11, 1983. 19-year-old Lorraine Downes of New Zealand was crowned Miss Universe 1983, the first woman from that country to win the title...
broadcast live from St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
in July 1983. After the preliminary competition, Downes made the top twelve cut in sixth place, but placed second in the final evening gown competition, third in the interview competition, and fourth in swimsuit. She made the final five in third place behind Julie Hayek
Julie Hayek
Julie Lynne Hayek is an American beauty queen and actress who was Miss USA 1983.-Early life:Hayek is of Czech and German descent on her father's side and Norwegian, Scottish, Irish, and English on her mother's side. Her father was an airline pilot and her mother, a high school guidance counselor...
of the USA
Miss USA
The Miss USA beauty contest has been held annually since 1952 to select the United States entrant in the Miss Universe pageant. The Miss Universe Organization operates both pageants, as well as Miss Teen USA...
and Lolita Morena
Lolita Morena
Lolita Laure Morena is a Swiss model, actress and television hostess.-Miss Switzerland:She was a student in archaeology when she won the Miss Switzerland pageant in 1982. She went on to represent her country at Miss World 1982 and Miss Universe 1983...
of Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
, and was eventually crowned Miss Universe
Miss Universe
Miss Universe is an annual international beauty contest that is run by the Miss Universe Organization. The pageant is the most publicized beauty contest in the world with 600 million viewers....
. She wore a midnight blue gown and long gloves during the competition. Downes' win was New Zealand's first in the pageant's history, although Diana Delyse Nottle had placed second runner-up to Shawn Weatherly in 1980
Miss Universe 1980
Miss Universe 1980 was held at Sejong Cultural Center, Seoul, South Korea on July 8, 1980. 20-year-old Shawn Weatherly of USA was crowned as Miss Universe 1980...
and Donella Thomsen was a semi-finalist in 1981. No other delegate from New Zealand would make the cut until 1992.
Life after Miss Universe
In 1986 Lorraine Downes married Murray MextedMurray Mexted
Murray Graham Mexted is a New Zealand rugby union player who played 34 tests for the All Blacks from 1979 to 1983. He also played 38 non-test game including 7 as captain. During his time with the All Blacks, he wore the Number eight jersey and was considered an excellent ball winner and an...
, a New Zealand rugby
Rugby football
Rugby football is a style of football named after Rugby School in the United Kingdom. It is seen most prominently in two current sports, rugby league and rugby union.-History:...
All Black
All Blacks
The New Zealand men's national rugby union team, known as the All Blacks, represent New Zealand in what is regarded as its national sport....
, with whom she had two children (son Hilton and daughter Jasmine), before divorcing in 2001. She also has a successful business in New Zealand. She is now married to former New Zealand international cricketer Martin Crowe
Martin Crowe
Martin David Crowe is a former New Zealand cricketer. He was a Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 1985, and was credited as one of the "best young batsmen in the world". Crowe represented New Zealand from the early 1980s until his retirement in 1996 as a right-handed batsman...
.
After years of relative anonymity, Downes competed in and won the New Zealand version
Dancing with the Stars (New Zealand TV series)
Dancing with the Stars is a New Zealand television series based on the British series Strictly Come Dancing. The show introduces eight local celebrities paired with professional ballroom danceers who each week compete against each other in a competition to impress a panel of judges and the viewing...
of Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars
Dancing with the Stars is the name of several international television series based on the format of the British TV series Strictly Come Dancing, which is distributed by BBC Worldwide – the commercial arm of the BBC. Currently the format has been licensed to over 35 countries...
in 2006 with dance partner Aaron Gilmore.