The inaugural openly gay winner of the Miss England pageant says she remains “in shock” after securing victory last week, five years following her public coming out and enduring homophobic bullying during her school years.
Grace Richardson, aged 20, claimed the crown at the Miss England 2025 contest on Friday, November 21, becoming the first openly gay woman ever to triumph in the competition. She is now set to represent England at the Miss World 2026 event next year.
Richardson, who is studying musical theatre at the Leicester College of Performing Arts while working as a part-time model, revealed her sexuality five years ago via TikTok, she shared with the Leicester Times. She endured persistent bullying from fellow students, particularly from male classmates who harassed her because of her sexuality and for being “too skinny,” she explained.
“I feel so powerful and proud of myself. My coming out story wasn’t the easiest,” Richardson reportedly said after her victory. “My very close friends and family were all very supportive. But for some reason those at school, my peers, just weren’t in the same way that my family were. It was a struggle to accept myself while a lot of people weren’t accepting me.”
“It is important for young people in the LGBTQ community to see people representing them in all types of walks of life,” she added.
“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.” Richardson went on.
The Miss England final was decided in a dramatic tie-breaker that ultimately hinged on the talent segment, organisers posted on Instagram over the weekend, noting that Richardson’s “show-stopping singing and dancing performance” proved decisive in securing her the title.
“I wasn’t expecting it to be me,” Richardson said after the event. “There was so many incredible girls in that top 12 and I think all of them deserved to win.”
Beauty pageants have gradually become more inclusive toward openly LGBTQ+ participants and organisers in recent years. In 2021, activist and model Lehlogonolo Machaba made history as the first transgender woman to compete in Miss South Africa. In September, Nguyen Huong Giang was named Vietnam’s entrant for Miss Universe 2025, marking the first time a trans woman will represent Vietnam at the international pageant.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli