Grace Richardson has made history as the first openly gay contestant to win the Miss England pageant, securing the 2025 crown in a closely contested final held on November 21.
The 20-year-old, who studies musical theatre at the Leicester College of Performing Arts and works part-time as a model, will now represent England at the 2026 Miss World competition. Richardson publicly came out five years ago via TikTok and said she faced intense bullying during school, particularly from male classmates who targeted her sexuality and appearance.
Speaking after her win, Richardson described the achievement as empowering, noting that her personal journey had not been easy. While friends and family were supportive, she said her peers made it difficult to embrace her identity at the time.
Richardson emphasised the importance of representation, especially for LGBTQ youth, stating that pageantry rarely addresses sexuality openly. She said part of her motivation is ensuring queer individuals feel seen in spaces traditionally known for conservative standards.
According to organisers, the Miss England finals were decided by a tie-break centred on the talent segment, with Richardson’s combined singing and dance performance ultimately pushing her ahead of other finalists. She praised the top 12 contestants, saying many were deserving of the title.
Her win comes amid a broader shift toward inclusivity in global beauty competitions. In 2021, activist and model Lehlogonolo Machaba became the first transgender woman to compete in Miss South Africa. Earlier in September, Nguyen Huong Giang was announced as Vietnam’s Miss Universe 2025 entrant, making her the first trans woman to represent the country in the international contest.