Determined to break the stereotype of what it means to be a pageant Queen, 19-year-old Tamsin Grainger is celebrating getting through the final of Miss England 2018.
The self-confessed tom-boy has a black belt in karate and alongside her duties as Miss Gloucester, works and commutes to be able to study Events Management at University.
Speaking to SoGlos, Tamsin said: ‘I was always told that Karate wasn’t a sport for girls, but if I’d have listened to those stereotypes I wouldn’t have achieved what I have.
‘I was also told things like I wasn’t pretty enough to enter pageants, or had people telling me they just didn’t think I’d do that kind of thing. So, I want to break the preconceptions of what pageants are about. It’s not about looks, it’s about mind and soul and being an ambassador for the place you’re from.’
Along with 54 other young women from across the country, Tamsin was chosen to proceed to the last stage of the competition on Tuesday 3 July 2018.
Speaking of her selection Tamsin said: ‘I was actually selected by Judges Choice, which is a massive honour. Some of the girls get selected by their performances in certain categories or by getting the most public votes, but for me to actually be selected by the judging panel is a huge accolade.’
Miss Gloucester hasn’t reached the final of the competition since 2014, when Juliette Crosby got through to the Miss England final round.
The first part of the finals will be held on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 July 2018 at Resorts World Birmingham, with a further final taking place on Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 September 2018. The overall winner of Miss England will earn a place in the Miss World championships.
