Virtual catwalk show to go ahead despite lockdown.
The Miss England Midlands contest was due to be held as a stylish catwalk show at Resorts World Birmingham on 26th April. But organisers were forced to cancel the event as venues started to close and lockdown began.
“Some of the contestants had already started fundraising for Beauty with a Purpose, a charity which helps disadvantaged youngsters & an integral part of the contest. At first I thought the only thing to do was to cancel but then realized we could potentially run some of our qualifying heats including the Midlands contest as online competitions with videos linked from the Miss England Contest You Tube channel,” said Miss England organizer Angie Beasley.
The sixteen finalists were invited to submit videos taken in or around their homes, enter the talent round by showing off their skills, and in their introduction videos have spoken about the best and worst bits of being in lockdown to share on social media.
Contestants have also been given the task of highlighting West Midlands-based Professor Gatrad’s Wasupme campaign, which is promoting recycling, as part of the competition.
A public vote is being held on the Miss England website. Text votes cost 50p plus standard network charge
Since the lockdown changed everything, contestants have also been encouraged to donate unused cosmetics and toiletries to a West Midlands women’s refuge since the rise of domestic violence has increased. Details of this campaign can be found here.
Some have submitted cooking or dancing videos, talked openly about the current situation and shown off their catwalk skills around their homes, giving them a good excuse to get dressed up! Their most common dislike about lockdown fis missing friends and families and not being able to socialize.
The Miss England Midlands vote closes on 31st May and the shortlist will receive an interview by zoom from the Miss England team before the winners are selected and announced on social media to go forward to the next Miss England final. The final date is now subject to confirmation.
“The next Miss England final may be forced to be held online later this year, which would be a first but not impossible. We are not in a rush to choose the next winner, as the reigning Miss England is just an amazing woman,” added Angie.
The current Miss England is NHS doctor Bhasha Mukherjee who represented England at the last Miss World contest in December. Bhasha is currently working on a Covid-19 ward at Pilgrim hospital, Lincolnshire.
