Miss Universe Malta Julia Ann Cluett Opens Up About Losing Everything Before Her Big Win

Miss Universe Malta Julia Ann Cluett: “I Really Lost Everything Before I Won”

Winning a beauty pageant might look like all glitz, glam, and red carpets—but Julia Ann Cluett, Miss Universe Malta 2025, is here to tell you it’s not always like that. In fact, sometimes it’s downright messy.

Losing Everything Before the Crown

On a recent episode of The SHE Word podcast, Julia got real about what life was like leading up to her big win. Imagine this: two days before she was crowned Miss Universe Malta last July, she got laid off. And not just that—she was also in the middle of trying to find an apartment.

“I lost everything,” she said. “I mean, I won Miss Universe Malta, and I’m so grateful, don’t get me wrong, but there were a lot of things I had on my personal checklist that I just… lost.”

Sacrifices to Shine on the International Stage

From there, things didn’t exactly get easier. Julia stayed unemployed for seven months while she focused on her duties as Miss Universe Malta and prepared for the international stage in Thailand. Traveling, appearances, interviews—it all added up.

“What company is going to be like, ‘Sure, start with us, then take off for two weeks in September, and three weeks in November, totally fine’? No one wanted to do that,” she explained.

So she basically had to give up her job, her income, and even her apartment just to pursue her dream.

Triumph Amid Challenges

And yet, despite all that, she killed it on the Miss Universe stage, placing in the top 12 and even taking home the title of Miss Universe Europe and Middle East. But the win doesn’t erase the struggle that came before it—and Julia is open about that.

She joined other Maltese pageant queens, Ella Gatt Baldacchino and Shailey Micallef, on the podcast to talk honestly about body image, pageant pressures, and balancing your dreams with real-life responsibilities. Her message is clear: behind every crown is a ton of time, money, effort, and sometimes, real sacrifice.

More Than Just a Crown

Julia’s story isn’t just about beauty—it’s about grit, perseverance, and the messy, human side of chasing your dreams. And honestly? That’s the part we don’t see enough of.