No living together just yet for Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters & fiancé Tim Tebow

When Demi-Leigh Nel-Peters scooped the Miss Universe crown in 2017, she was catapulted from small-town girl to international celebrity, one who called the Big Apple home.

She is also engaged to Major League baseball star and former (US) National Football League quarterback Tim Tebow, who was once linked to Katy Perry.

The 24-year-old former beauty queen, who returned to SA last week to be part of the Miss SA 2019 judging panel, told the Sunday Times that her reign as Miss Universe had been the "biggest roller-coaster" of her life.

She likened her move from Sedgefield in the Western Cape to New York to being thrown in at the deep end. "All I could do was keep swimming until at some point my arms got strong enough and I didn't have to doggy-paddle any more. I feel like I'm still adjusting to a different country and learning their way of doing things every day."

Since her Miss Universe reign ended in December, Nel-Peters has focused on her modelling career and recently signed with IMG Models Worldwide. She has just wrapped up her first international campaign, which is set to be launched in the next few months.

Nel-Peters is making the US her second home as she prepares to tie the knot with Tebow. He popped the question on his family's farm in Jacksonville, Florida, in January.

Nel-Peters wants to keep some details about her wedding secret, but said it would take place next year and that her dress would have South African elements.

She said Tebow had been supportive and had given her free rein to go all out with the wedding.

"I always said I wouldn't be a stressed-out bride but, truth be told, I am a stressed-out bride and it's truly a full-time job. Tim has been great, and is letting me have everything I want, but definitely gives his opinion when needed."

Though TV reality shows paint a colourful picture of the kind of lifestyle that comes with dating an American sports star, Nel-Peters said this couldn't be further from the truth of their lives.

The couple have decided not to live together until after marriage because they want to do things "right".

"We're looking forward to living together once we're married and that's something that excites us; we get to move into a home together for the first time."