‘Powerful and proud’ student makes history as first out gay Miss England
Grace Richardson, a musical theatre student from Leicester, was crowned Miss England 2025 on 21 November. (Instagram/missworld)
Grace Richardson, a musical theatre student from Leicester, was crowned Miss England 2025 on 21 November. (Instagram/missworld)
Student Grace Richardson has made history as the first out gay Miss England.
The 20-year-old, who was subjected to homophobic bullying after coming out at school five years ago, was crowed Miss England on 21 November after a series of qualifying competitions.
Richardson won her title after representing the East Midlands in the finals at Wolverhampton’s Grand Station.
The part-time model, who is from Leicester, said her win left her “in shock”.
She told Birmingham Live: “Knowing I’m able to share my story and represent a part of our community that hasn’t been represented in this way before is really special.
“It is important for young people in the LGBTQ community to see people representing them in all types of walks of life.
“I haven’t seen anyone in pageantry talk about sexuality in the way that I have so it is important to me for them to feel seen.”
She said she hopes her win will inspire others, adding that having been bullied after coming out at 15, she struggled to accept herself, but the win has left her feeling “powerful and proud”.
“To be able to represent England at such a prestigious competition and go to Miss World next year, it feels like I am breaking down those barriers and expectations that my peers set for me,” she shared.
On Instagram, Richardson previously praised her parents for the support they have offered her.
She captioned an image of her standing between them: “My parents have been the support beams through absolutely everything I’ve done, they have taken on the roles of driver, photographer, light holder, tea maker, security and many more. But on a serious note, I truly wouldn’t be the confident woman I am today without them.”
This year’s finalists collectively raised £42,000 for Beauty with a Purpose, the Miss World charity that supports humanitarian projects around the globe.
Richardson will now represent England at the next Miss World in 2026 .
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