Jackson Landry will head to Brisbane next month to compete in the Mr Diamond Australia competition.
The 18-year-old film and television student moved to Ocean Grove from Bendigo recently and is entering the pageant to help support his chosen charity Minus18.
Minus18 is a youth-driven organisation that provides support for young LGBTIQ Australians.
Miss and Mr Diamond is more than a ‘beauty pageant’. It doesn’t judge on looks and has no size, weight or height limits. It aims to celebrate the beauty and diversity of everyone.
“I’ve been modelling for while at fashion shows and I was at a modelling event in August last year and the current Mr and Miss Diamond were there and they said I should join and I did and got in,” Jackson told the Voice.
Jackson moved from Bendigo to Ocean Grove and is loving the relaxed coastal lifestyle.
“I find Ocean Grove a lovely place full of positive people and nice days,” he says.
“I’ve already started to be known by the locals from my local gym (F45), work (Apco Barwon Heads) and just being out and about.
“I’ve noticed it’s a lot more friendly down here.”
In 2016, Jackson won a young entrepreneur program called (TYE), which he and two other teens won an all-expenses paid trip to the USA.
“We got to pitch our idea to the American chapter, visit Apple and Google and San Francisco and this is where my career started to kick off ,” he said.
“From this I had more connections to get out there and more opportunities with becoming student ambassador for TYE, a product ambassador for a hair product and now Mr Diamond.
“I started modelling in 2016 and just started with photo shoots then I got into the Australia’s Next Top Model finals, but unfortunately didn’t get through as this was my first ever runway.
“I gained more experience runwaying for E&E management and also Minus18 Spring Fashion Show.”
Jackson is passionate his charity, Minus18.
“I want to be a role model and to make a difference and a have positive outlook on the youth of the LGBTI community especially in rural areas to show stuff can happen,” he said.
“I found out more about Minus18 and I wanted to be part of the community to make a difference.
“Especially being from Bendigo, Minus18 is not really known up there, so it’s good to get people talking about it.”
The ‘pageant’ itself involves more than just the actual event.
Jackson has had to get ‘points’ before the show by getting photographs with his sash, social media likes, media mentions and a public choice vote, which he won.
The Mr Diamond event itself, on 11 April, involves outfits, question and answer sessions, speeches and runway shows involving evening and casual wear.
