'As former Miss England Dr Bhasha Mukherjee placed the crown on my head, I was overcome with joy, hardly believing I'd won. After the long months of lockdown, when it felt like everything fun had been postponed, it was incredible to be there in person, celebrating my victory with my fellow beauty queens.
It was a far cry from when I found out I'd qualified for the Miss England final, by winning Miss All African Colours, in February 2021. Because of the pandemic, everything had to be done virtually. It was surreal learning I'd won by receiving my sash and crown from my grandmother, rather than going to a fancy venue dolled up to the nines!
When I was younger, pageants weren't on my radar. I'd heard of shows like Miss Universe, but didn't really see myself in them. In 2019 I was invited to join a Miss England heat, but left it on the back burner.
It wasn't until summer 2020, after I'd graduated in genetics from Sussex University, that I started googling pageants to find out more. I saw the Miss England organisation had introduced Miss All African Colours, in the wake of Black Lives Matter. It's specifically for minority ethnic women in England and I thought entering would be an ideal way to be representative of the diversity in this country.
A WINNING STATE OF MIND
Winning hadn't crossed my mind, so to take the Miss England crown and therefore compete in the iconic Miss World competition was incredible. Sadly, some people didn't see it that way - the director was getting calls and emails to say, "This is not Miss England."
It's not the first time I've encountered racism and it won't be the last. I knew there would be a backlash when I won, simply because I'm Black and my heritage is Kenyan. But the way I cope with it is by thinking I now have a platform to be a force for good.
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 16, 2022 من New UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 16, 2022 من New UK.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
'I couldn't believe it had struck again'
Nikki and Michelle lost their sister Tracey to breast cancer. Here, they tell new about the days they too were diagnosed with the disease
'It impacted my mental health'
Love Island star Jess White on struggling with backlash since leaving the ITV2 villa.
'Agonised' Stacey quits fashion line
Sharing concerns with husband Joe Swash about their work/life balance, Stacey Solomon has called time on her In The Style partnership
TV return is 'vital' for Phil
A PR expert tells new that Phillip Schofield's new reality show could pave the way for a spectacular comeback - but it's provoked a mixed reaction so far.
'Amy wants something Special to happen'
As Amy Kenyon and Luke Debono film their wedding day on Married At First Sight UK, new gets a sneaky peek.
We had our embryos frozen before we got married'
Former TOWIE star Jess Wright on planning ahead to have | children, and why she dreams of going on Strictly one day.
Christine is 'thriving
A source tells new how Christine McGuinness is growing in confidence since breaking up with Paddy.
'We were both nervous to revive Big Brother
Hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best on the new series of the show and what makes a good housemate
Zoe's back after radio silence
After a difficult few months and speculation surrounding her absence, Zoe Ball is back on air, with a source telling new she's ready to take on the world
Kerry 'I refuse to be the ugly sister'
As best mates Kerry Katona and Katie Price prepare to have a ball together in panto, Kerry tells new how her pal has inspired her to get a lower facelift.