A STUDENT from Andover has been chosen to compete in the first virtual app-based heat of the Miss England pageant contest.

Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, like many other events, the Miss England contest has found different ways to continue. The competition, which ran virtually during lockdown, developed its own app with Choicely, the No Code App developers.

Now the 2022 finalists will be selected from thousands of entries virtually with a live final later in the year.

Hoping to make the final is 19-year-old Niamh Walker, who grew up in London but is now based in Andover with her mum and seven-year-old brother.

Speaking to the Advertiser about entering the contest, Niamh said: “It was actually quite a spontaneous decision. I was watching the Miss Universe pageants, and I thought surely they must do something like that in individual countries.

“I have always wanted to be a part of things like that. When I was a girl, I wanted to be a princess! I thought this was a chance to live a childhood dream.”

Niamh entered in late November 2021. She was required to submit some photos, and was then among 29 contestants from across England who have been invited to submit videos to enter the first heat of 2022.

“It was a complete shock! I couldn’t believe this was genuinely happening,” said Niamh.

“My mum was ecstatic!”

Each of the contestants are submitting an introduction and catwalk video and will have the option of submitting a talent video for an additional round, with voting open to the public through the Miss England app.

The contestants are also invited to support environmental projects such as the We Do Ethicals Tree Planting and World Against Single Use Plastic schemes.

Niamh said: “Miss England is raising awareness of climate change, which I felt was really good. They also posted on their social media that they were sending previous semi-finalists and finalists to do charity work abroad, and it was that that persuaded me to enter as well. It’s not just about the make-up and the dresses, it’s about using what you have to make other people’s lives a little bit easier.

“It’s one of those opportunities that, especially with Covid and things, could otherwise be difficult to get. I feel like these types of things can bring a variety of different people from different backgrounds together, because people have different outlooks on beauty and what makes someone special.

“You learn to walk, to have confidence, public speaking, but it also opens doors in other ways, like advocacy. It’s a platform.”

Niamh, who is in her first year studying Criminology and Forensics in Portsmouth, added: “It’s very different to the life of make-up and glam!” she said. “It’s a one is your head and the other your heart type of thing.”

Summing up what it would eman to make the final, Niamh continued: “I think my heart would probably stop! Coming this far, and seeing the other women I am against and will work with, it’s incredible.”

The Miss England App can be found on either the Play Store for Android or the App Store for Apple. Anyone can vote once daily for free for their favourite contestant.

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