Slipping into an elegant, purple floor-length gown, I took a deep breath. Could I really do this?
It was September 2021 and, at 49 years old, I was preparing to go out on stage and compete for the crown in the Classic Miss British Isles beauty contest. But as I looked around at the other contestants, I couldn't help but feel like an imposter. They were all so glamorous, and some had been entering beauty contests for years. To me, this was all brand new.
As a teenager, I'd dreamed of becoming a model and, aged 15, got a few pictures taken so I could start building a portfolio. But I doubted myself. At 5ft 4in, I thought I was too short, and despite my long, red hair and smooth, glowing skin, I convinced myself I was ugly.
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