Jennifer Hawkins on ten years at Myer, surviving the dark days and Donald Trump

When we meet Jennifer Hawkins in her dressing room backstage while rehearsing for the Myer Spring/Summer 2016 runway show, she has kicked off her heels and is sitting crouched on her knees on a couch, wearing a stunning, black, figure-hugging dress, looking just as flawless and laid-back as ever.

The 32-year-old veteran model, who has been an ambassador for Myer for the past ten years and has recently just signed a contract which will see her associated with the brand for the next two years, chats candidly to Be about celebrating her milestone with the brand, starting a family with her husband Jake Wall and what she really thinks of US Presidential candidate Donald Trump.

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And while she may have walked on more catwalks than your average Newcastle girl Hawkins insists that the novelty of the glamorous Myer runway never wears off.

"I’m so pumped. I don’t do catwalk shows often. I’m either doing TV or working on my own businesses but to do catwalk is the cherry on top," Hawkins animatedly told Be.

"It’s such an amazing feeling that you represent that brand and you embody it in your every day life. So that was an amazing feeling to actually hit 10 years and then to sign up for another two."

Just last year, right before she was due to take to the stage for Myer's annual Spring/Summer show, she received the devastating news that her mother had been diagnosed with kidney cancer and needed to be operated on.

While Jennifer reveals that her mother, Gail, is "so healthy" now, she remembers the dark days last year, which put a lot of things into perspective for her.

"I went back to Newcastle on the weekend and it was literally that time last year that she found out," Jennifer said.

"It was such a different feeling when I think back and it’s gone so fast. It was such a heavy feeling. I feel different this year and almost grateful. That’s probably why it’s so exciting because last year I felt so heavy and upset and I was trying to get through it."

The model, who is extremely close to her siblings, Brad, Kirsty and Michael, said it's "bizarre to look back now" and fathom what happened to her mother, claiming her mother's illness has changed her outlook on life.

"It definitely put certain things in my life into perspective like priorities and it did change a lot of things," she said.

Hawkins has also been drawn into the political realm recently after claiming that she was inspired by US Presidential candidate Donald Trump during her time at the Miss Universe contest.

As the winner of the competition back in 2004, the model described the controversial politician as "passionate" and "driven" while staying on the fence about his political views, comments that she refuses to back down on.

"He was the co-owner of Miss Universe and probably the first real powerhouse in business and so he inspired me as a businessman," Hawkins said when we asked her about Trump.

"But now I haven’t seen him in this arena, it’s a different kettle of fish, he’s running for President so that’s why I can’t really comment right now. But I know how he made me feel way back when I first won because he did inspire you so I’ll never go back on what I said back then."

When asked if she supports his political statements Hawkins said it’s such a broad question that she would never comment on it because she would “disrespect different people."

"So I just think I’ll stay quiet for the minute and see what happens but he inspired me back then."

The respect Hawkins has for Trump appears to be mutual, with Trump telling 60 Minutes in 2011 that "Jennifer is the most beautiful Miss Universe that I've seen in many, many years."

"She was not only beautiful outside but she was also equally beautiful inside. So I don't say that about many. Believe me, we've had our problems with some of them and she was really great."

Hawkins' face lights up when she talks about her husband of three years, Jake Wall, who she says will be supporting her at the show on Tuesday night.

And while she's constantly asked whether she will one day start a family, Hawkins insists there's "no new news there".

"This year my hubby Jake is coming so he’ll probably be backstage and then watching out there so that will be fun," she said.

As for her workout and clean eating routine in the lead-up to the show, Hawkins has just come back from a romantic holiday in Italy with her husband and claims she didn't restrict her diet while she was there but does admit to getting in some cardio and sit-ups on the sly.

We just got back from Italy and I didn’t want to restrict myself too much, where’s the fun in that?," she said.

"I definitely exercise everyday because I need to. I do cardio every day but then also I did a new circuit resistance training so more squats and more butt work – peachy work because I knew I was going to be in swimwear.

"I quite enjoy a challenge and doing something difference. I hate doing sit-ups but I made myself do them when I away."

As for a cheat meal, it's homemade pizza all the way for Hawkins, who can't wait to dig into one straight after the show.

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