Grace Richardson, a 20-year-old musical theatre student from Leicestershire, has been crowned Miss England, making history as the first openly gay woman to win the title, Times UK reported. Richardson said she “didn’t think twice” about discussing her sexuality with judges, and is proud to represent both her country and the LGBTQ+ community on the international stage.
Richardson will go on to compete in the Miss World finals next year. She spoke candidly about her experiences growing up, including being bullied at school after coming out, and said she wanted to use her platform to turn adversity into a positive message. “When I was asked in my interview ‘Have you faced any challenges?’, I wanted to talk about it because I wanted to turn something negative into something positive,” she said.
The daughter of a retired police sergeant and a librarian, Richardson said she had few lesbian role models while growing up, and it was not until she saw the Kristen Stewart film Happiest Season that she felt truly represented. She praised her family for their unwavering support and said her partner attended every event, making her sexuality obvious without the need for explanation.
Richardson highlighted changes in the Miss England pageant, noting the removal of the swimwear round and the introduction of a no-make-up segment, which she said celebrated genuine confidence and redefined beauty standards. She also acknowledged that some Miss World contestants will come from countries where homosexuality is criminalised, but expressed confidence that the organisation is supportive.
Reflecting on her journey, Richardson advised others not to rush into labels regarding sexuality, saying: “The person you end up loving might not be the person you expect [to love] when you are younger.” She concluded, “I am incredibly proud of who I am,” setting a precedent for inclusivity and representation in international beauty competitions.
