My Australia is a special series exploring cultural heritage and identity, and asking what it means to be Australian in 2019.
Francesca Hung answers the intercom of a six-level waterfront mansion in one of Sydney’s most exclusive suburbs - dressed in white the current Miss Universe Australia looks right at home in the luxurious surrounds.
The 24-year-old lives at home with her parents in Cremorne, on Sydney’s North Shore, along with her older brother Josh and dog Charlie.
Hung was crowned Miss Universe Australia in June and was whisked off to compete in the Miss Universe final with 93 other women from around the world in Thailand in December.
Francesca celebrating her brother Josh's birthday with her family. Source: Instagram: @francesca.hung
Hung’s mother is of Irish heritage, while her father’s parents migrated to Australia from China. She says her mixed heritage has played a significant role in shaping the person she’s become.
“As a kid, I always felt like I was a bit different to the others," she said.
"I grew up in a very Westernised community so, at my school, I was one of the only Asian students."
"I definitely learned to be really secure and confident in myself, but it also challenged me in a lot of ways."
Born and raised in Sydney, she recalled her friends referring to her as the "token Asian."
Francesca felt she was different to her peers growing up. Source: Instagram: @francesca.hung
"It was that constant, 'oh, you're my Asian friend'...'you must eat Chinese food all the time', jokes about my eyes, or 'your dad must be a nerd'."
Sensing some hesitation, her mother encouraged her and her brother to embrace their Chinese heritage.
"In the schools they went to there were very few Chinese, so they were a bit shy about it, and I wanted them to feel proud about it," she said.
Hung said representing Australia on the Miss Universe stage was one of the proudest moments of her life so far.
Francesca Hung as a child with her brother Josh. Source: SBS
But a backstage incident involving an Instagram live video added a sour element to the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
"There were a few days I spent in tears, I'm not going to lie," Hung revealed.
In the video, Hung, Miss USA, Sarah Summers, and Miss Colombia, Valeria Morales, are heard discussing the language barrier some contestants face at international meets.
Miss USA led the conversation, talking about how Miss Vietnam H'Hen Nie "pretends to know so much English" and suggested things must be "confusing" for Miss Cambodia, Rern Sinat, because she also doesn't speak English.
Francesca Hung was dragged into a social media storm after an Instagram live video went viral. Source: Instagram
In the video, Hung agreed, “it would be really hard".
All three women faced fierce criticism online.
They were accused of being racist, bigoted and were compared to characters in the movie ‘Mean Girls’ after some interpreted their conversation as being condescending.
Hung apologised at the time and insists her comment came from a place of empathy.
Australia's diversity and willingness to accept people of all cultures is what makes it such a special place to live, she says.
Francesca Hung with fellow Miss Universe contestants from Cambodia, USA, Vietnam and Colombia. Source: Instagram: @francesca.hung
"We are such a melting pot of cultures and me representing Australia [in Miss Universe] is an example of that," she said.
"When I think about my grandparents ...from both sides ... I think that they would be so proud looking down now thinking, ‘I'm so glad that we came to Australia because our children have flourished and made such incredible lives here’, and that's what Australia can do for people."
