Miss Universe pageant co-owner Donald Trump is full of praise for Australia's Rachael Finch as she tries to follow in the footsteps of one of his all-time favourite winners, Jennifer Hawkins.
The tycoon said he had heard only good things about the current Miss Universe Australia and had been informed the Queenslander was "wonderful".
"I've heard Rachael is beautiful and I hear she's a lovely lady," Trump told AAP from the US on Tuesday.
The glamorous 21-year-old from Townsville will travel to the Bahamas next month in the hope of clinching the crown, won by Hawkins five years ago.
Trump, who also owns the Miss USA competition, said Hawkins was one of his favourites because she was so problem-free, unlike many others.
"Jennifer Hawkins is one of my all-time favourite Miss Universes," Trump said.
"She's phenomenal. She's a great person and just absolutely beautiful.
"She was absolutely great, she was so problem-free."
Trump's pageants have been riddled with controversy recently.
Miss Universe Australia finalist Stephanie Naumoska made international headlines for her skeletal-like frame.
"I think she was too thin but I hope she's better," Trump said.
In the Miss USA competition, the most recent Miss California was dethroned after missed appearances, topless photos and homophobic comments.
But Trump admitted controversy can be positive too.
"Frankly the controversy is a good thing, not a bad thing, because everyone's talking about my pageants," Trump said.
Trump, who also heads the reality TV series The Apprentice, praised another controversial Australian, Mark Bouris, who will front the local version of the show, to air later in the year.
"Tell the new king of Apprentice in Australia I bet he's going to do a great job," he said.
The Wizard Home Loans founder has been threatened with an apprehended violence order after an alleged incident with a neighbour about his girlfriend's barking dog.
Trump's latest series of The Apprentice, The Celebrity Apprentice, is showing on pay TV in Australia, with comedian Joan Rivers and poker queen Annie Duke to fight it out in the finale on Thursday.
Trump said it would be unmissable.
"What you'll see on television on Thursday night is going to be the best show on television in Australian for a long time," he said.
"It's inconceivable what is going to go on."
The three-hour finale will screen on Arena from 7.30pm (AEST).
Front page
RSS Feed