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A young Australian beauty pageant contestant looks unrecognizable after sharing her facial injuries following a horror accident while playing netball.
Brigitte Murphy is one of the women representing Victoria in the 2025 Miss Universe Australia competition, and is among the 30 finalists who flew to Vietnam on May 11 for their swimwear shoot with photographer Jarrad Seng.
But, just two weeks out from the shoot, the Albury-Wodonga veterinarian took to the netball court and ended up with a scabbed and bruised face.
The Miss Universe National finalist took to TikTok to share details of her fall and subsequent injuries, including a fractured tooth.
“I just can’t believe this,” Murphy said in her first of a series of clips, adding it was the “worst possible case scenario” — barring broken bones that prevented her from walking.
“I played netball and as I was mid-air catching the ball I was pushed and I had about point five of a second to turn around and brace myself,” she said.
The pageant queen managed to protect herself to an extent but unfortunately her cheek and eye grazed the surface of the court. Her tooth was also fractured.
“I mean, if you don’t laugh, you cry – right?”
Murphy documented her injury healing over the next few days, saying she felt incredibly uncomfortable and wasn’t able to sleep. Her eye also swelled up significantly more in a follow-up clip on day two.
“I have 13 days until Vietnam with Miss Universe, and this is what my face looks like,” she said. “This morning my upper eyelid has completely blown up. I’ve got work today so I’m going to try my best to cover it up,” she added while applying some concealer.
In a third update, Murphy said her GP expressed concerns about a facial fracture but thankfully a CT scan showed she was in the “all clear”. She also went to the dentist and was thankfully told there was “no chance” of the tooth dying due to the fracture.
To help heal the wound, the contestant explained she was using CeraVe Advanced Repair Balm, a cream for bruising, a Dr Dennis mask and clinical LED mask. She also iced the wound throughout the day.
The young Aussie said she was mostly trying to keep busy and pretend she wasn’t going through a stressful time.
Miraculously, within five days, all that was left were a couple of red patches on her skin.
“The swelling, bruising and the wound has gone down. People told me to wrap myself up in cotton wool. Like, sorry, your girl’s not going to do that.”
The Miss Universe contestant then finished off the clip by thanking everyone for their concerns, encouragement and advice.
On Wednesday, Murphy took to Instagram to share the first photos of herself in Vietnam, rocking a blood orange halter-neck mini dress. There was so sign of any brutal injury to her face.
“Go you good thing! That panel will love you,” one fan said.
Another said: “Yayyy amazing. I knew you’d be shocked how quickly it would heal and recover.”
“Yay, it’s looking so good,” another commented.
Others complimented her look, calling her “stunning”, an “angel”, “wonderful” and a “lady in red.”
The young veterinarian revealed in a TikTok video why she applied for Miss Universe, saying she wanted to advocate for mental health after being bullied as a teenager.
“I’ve taken a lot of therapy and surrounding myself with good people to get to the place that I am today.
“I want to break the mould of beauty stereotypes,” she added.
Murphy has been documenting her days in Vietnam for the Miss Universe competition, where the 30 finalists are staying at Hoiana Resort & Golf, a luxury beachfront hotel about 15 minutes from Hoi An.
English (US)