Sabrina Houssami - Miss Grand Slam 2006

I was watching the public affairs program Q & A on ABC1 last night and came across the incredibly stunning Sabrina Houssami. I don't know how this slipped under my radar, but the 22 year-old liberal arts student represented Australia in 2006 Miss World competition, where she was 2nd runner up. Now normally I don't pay a great deal of attention to matters relating to Miss World contestants, but Houssami is perhaps more interesting than the average entrant. Born in Sydney to a Lebanese father and Indian mother, she is the first Muslim to represent Australia in that competition. She is also a member of Mensa, and her articulate take on the question of ethnic identity and the media stereotypes of Muslims displayed her impressive intellect - I think I need to rethink my assumptions about beauty queens.

Oh, and in case I forgot to mention it, she's incredibly stunning.