Thank you for speaking to POW Magazine! Firstly, we’d like to congratulate you on being crowned Miss England 2024! Please tell our readers a little about yourself.

Thank you so much, I’m so honoured to have won the Miss England title, it still hasn’t sunk in properly! It’s been such a whirlwind since the finals, there has been so much going on, and it’s all very exciting. 

I grew up in London, and suffered from anxiety at school; I felt I didn’t fit in. I struggled mentally, and at the age of 15, I moved to Cornwall, where I taught myself to surf and discovered my love for the water. I always say the water saved my life. I would sit for hours in the ocean; the water healed my mind and soul. I’m now a qualified beach lifeguard, sponsored surfer and lifestyle model, and it’s this knowledge of water safety and first aid training that spearheaded my ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ project #GOFARWITHCPR.

What does the Miss England Crown and Sash symbolise to you?

I take the role of Miss England very seriously, it’s my job now and I want to give it 100% and really make a difference to my community, and hopefully, the country. The crown and sash hold great responsibility, and I have now seen first-hand how much the role of Miss England means to people, it stands for something really good. You can inspire and educate people through your actions and that’s a great responsibility which I am privileged to have.

There is still a stigma among some people about Beauty pageants and contestants. Can you tell us more about your journey and why you think there is still a stigma around beauty pageants?

There’s still a stigma in some people’s minds, but I think that’s because they don’t know what Miss England stands for, it’s evolved so much from the days of girls parading up and down in swimsuits, that round doesn’t even exist anymore! Miss England encourages girls to be the best versions of themselves. But people don’t know that, as it’s not on UK TV anymore. I don’t understand how people can watch TV shows like ‘Love Island’ and still have a problem with the Miss England pageant. Miss England encourages young women to have a purpose in life, in fact, the founder of ‘Miss World’ Julia Morley, has created the ‘Beauty with a Purpose’ charity and encourages all contestants to fundraise for charity, and generally be good to everyone around them, with your chosen purpose, I find that inspiring and educational. 

In some media articles, you’ve been labelled as being “The first Plus- sized” woman to win Miss England. Is it not time to retire the term “Plus-Size”? What’s your thoughts? Fashion is fashion, and size shouldn’t matter. I’m 6ft and I wear larger clothes because it makes me feel more comfortable. My size shouldn’t be labelled anything. As a society we really need to stop worrying about what size dress we wear, we are all beautiful, and should never be made to feel bad because of a number on a dress.