Grace Richardson, a 20-year-old musical theatre student from Leicester, has made history by becoming the first openly gay Miss England after being crowned in an event held at the Grand Station in Wolverhampton. Richardson, who had previously won Miss Leicestershire 2024 and Miss East Midlands 2025, triumphed among 12 finalists in the national competition. She won the contest not only through her talent but also through her resilience, having endured significant homophobic bullying during her school years. Speaking openly about her experiences, she described the mental impact of the harassment but highlighted her determination to succeed despite the negativity.
Richardson’s journey to the title was marked by a dramatic moment during the competition. Although she initially planned to perform a ballet dance for the talent round, she broke her foot shortly after entering the contest and adapted by singing instead. Her rendition of “Never Enough” from The Greatest Showman impressed the judges and secured her the top prize. She now looks forward to representing England at the Miss World 2026 competition, a stage where she could potentially become the first British winner since 1964.
[Photo: Alan Strutt/Miss England]
Source: Noah Wire Services
