#307 Hannah Cross Interview

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👑 About Hannah

Hailing from the coastal town of Mount Maunganui, New Zealand, Hannah Cross is a vibrant multidisciplinary creative with a heart for connection and community. A professional model, costume and fashion designer, and mixed-media artist, she holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Auckland and is best known for her joyful energy, expressive style, and uplifting spirit.

In 2025, Hannah founded Creativity For Community, an initiative that turns art into advocacy—raising awareness and support for causes across Aotearoa, from charity events to cancer fundraising (including a skydive for awareness!). Her work reflects a deep appreciation for heritage, storytelling, and meaningful collaboration.

Now representing New Zealand on the international stage, Hannah is set to compete for the Miss Asia Pacific International 2025 crown. If successful, she hopes to use her reign to promote creativity as a universal language—one that builds bridges, sparks joy, and leaves a lasting legacy of kindness and purpose.

👉 Follow Hannah on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/han.nahcross/

⏱️ Timestamps

* 00:00 – Intro: Meet Hannah Cross, Miss Asia Pacific International NZ 2025

* 03:58 – What is the haka? Māori culture and pageantry on the world stage

* 07:40 – How Hannah got into pageants (and why she came back to the stage)

* 10:58 – “Paint at the Pub”: Her first charity event and creative advocacy

* 14:44 – Skydiving for cancer: Turning adrenaline into awareness

* 24:45 – The impact of discouraging creativity in childhood

* 30:23 – Why creativity matters (especially when there’s no right or wrong)

* 43:00 – Art elitism and critique: Who gets to decide what’s “real” art?

* 1:00:30 – Can AI ever be truly creative? Hannah shares her take

* 1:03:35 – Off to the Philippines: What to expect at Miss Asia Pacific International

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