Meet the Aussie fashion model, pageant queen, influencer, and event entrepreneur ready to take on the world…
Hello, Liz, congrats on your first MAXIM cover. How do you feel?
Thank you! I feel so excited and honoured to be this month’s cover girl. MAXIM has always been an exclusive and prestigiously recognised brand and I can’t wait to show this to my friends and family.
The location for this shoot is La Luna Beach Club in Main Beach, Queensland. What was it like shooting here?
I loved this location for this cover shoot. Shooting at La Luna felt like I was overseas for the European summer. It really was such an amazing vibe.
You’re wearing Wicked Weasel clothing throughout this feature. Tell us about your history working with them.
I actually did one of my first photo shoots for Wicked Weasel about eight years ago! It was in Byron Bay and I have such fond memories working with them as they are such an approachable team. They treated me with such care and were so accommodating – it’s something you always remember and really stands out given the industry being pretty cutthroat. Oh, and I love their bikinis.
What do you love most about their range?
I love that all of their range has the most gorgeous fabrics which is hard to come across. It’s a real talent to make lingerie and swimwear comfortable and feel great on your skin, too.
Well, you look amazing. When do you feel sexy?
Thank you! I’m a pageant girl who has been competing in swimsuit competitions for years, so I generally feel most sexy when I’m strutting my stuff on stage. It’s a such a rewarding thing to do.
What is your best asset?
I would have to say my smile and that I am always happy, positive and smiling.
What would people be most surprised to know about you?
People who know me well insist that I was a builder in a past life – it’s my hidden talent. I’m quite the handy woman.
Tell us a little more about yourself, your background and life story so far.
I have a very close family, I’m one of three kids with an older sister and younger brother, and very lucky as my parents are still happily married. I grew up on five acres so I was an outdoors kid and always participated in every sport I could enter. I was always a bit of a handful and could never sit still, so as I got older, I learnt to put my energy into things like competing in pageants and modelling – and I became hooked. I’m also a hairdresser by trade but as soon as I finished my apprenticeship I got into pageants and then modelling.
How did you get into modelling?
Well, a few years ago while I did some hairdresser styling for a photo shoot, the photographer on set asked me if I’d like to take some photos. This was closely followed by competing in a pageant. One thing led to another, and I became addicted to pageants and since then my modelling has taken me all over the world for the last 10 years.
What are three of your modelling career highlights so far?
I’ve been so blessed and had so many opportunities travelling around the world and living overseas, mainly in America, with my modelling. One of my top three highlights would have to be placing second, in the world, out of 74 women at the world finals of Miss Swimsuit USA International. I’ve also had multiple magazine covers and calendar covers in Australia and walked the runway for shows at the Carlton Hotel for the Cannes Film Festival in France. The other one would be filming an US show called Bikini Destinations over in Bali – it was such a great experience.
We hear you’re now starting your own pageant company?
Yes, I sure am! My pageant is called Australian Swimsuit International and I’m the Australian Director of Swimsuit USA. I’ve lived and breathed the pageant industry for the last 10 years and worked my way to achieve some spectacular things you never think would be possible. So, I really wanted to guide other women into achieving these things through the pageants and modelling world.
When you’re not posing for MAXIM, working, modelling or on social media, what else would we find you doing?
My everyday life is very busy running my businesses. I’m a bit of an entrepreneur, so I am constantly travelling for my work and I’m overseas a lot.
You have an impressive Instagram following. Besides the trolls and haters, what do you dislike about social media?
I must say my Instagram family has never really given me any issues. However, you always have someone who is so quick to point out any flaws you have. I also think it’s wrong that Instagram spends more time banning bikini photos rather than banning people bulling others online.
Would you ever date one of your social media followers?
I guess anything is possible, right? I would prefer they didn’t even know I had Instagram when meeting me, as I want them to get to know the real me.
How can a man win his way to your heart?
I look for a man with a cheeky smile and character, someone who is able to take the lead and be assertive and who also loves to travel and be spontaneous.
Describe your ideal date.
I would love to be taken to the airport with a surprise destination. A spontaneous date that requires a passport.
What’s next for you? Any exciting projects on the horizon you can share with us?
My pageant is going to take up most of my time for now, but I have lots of exciting things to reveal down the track. I’ll have a lot of international travel coming up, too, as well as appearances in a few international publications. So, stay tuned!
STATUS UPDATE
NAME: Liz Kirkness
BORN: March 22
HOMETOWN: Sydney NSW
FIVE-WORD SELF DESCRIPTION: “Perfectionist, bubbly, headstrong, motivated, outspoken.”
HIDDEN TALENT: “I’m a flat-pack queen!”
GO-TO DRINK: “Ameretto Sour.”
LIFE MOTTO: “Where there is a will, there is a way.”
INSTAGRAM/TIKTOK: @lizkirkness
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Photography by CHAD SABSABI
Interview by SANTI PINTADO
Hair & make-up by KARYSSA LEIGH
Styling by WICKED WEASEL
Location LA LUNA BEACH CLUB
For the full article grab the May 2024 issue of MAXIM Australia from newsagents and convenience locations. Subscribe here.
