Beauty Pageant (song)

"Beauty Pageant"
Single by Holly Humberstone
from the album Cruel World
Released10 April 2026 (2026-04-10)
Length3:15
LabelPolydor
Songwriters
  • Holly Ffion Humberstone
  • Rob Milton
  • Matt Zara
Producers
  • Rob Milton
  • Matt Zara
Holly Humberstone singles chronology
"Cruel World"
(2026)		 "Beauty Pageant"
(2026)
Music video
"Beauty Pageant" on YouTube

"Beauty Pageant" is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Holly Humberstone. It was released by Polydor Records on 10 April 2026 as the fourth single from her second studio album, Cruel World (2026). Humberstone wrote the track with long-term collaborator Rob Milton, who also produced it alongside Matt Zara. An accompanying music video was released alongside the song.

The lyrical content of the song dissects Humberstone's attitude towards women following growing up with three sisters, going to an all-girls school, then going straight into the music industry. She had realised she had toxic thought patterns of viewing other women as competition and wrote "Beauty Pageant" about the unrealistic expectations women face. The song features instrumentation from a live band, a production choice that was praised by critics inckuding Why Now and PopMatters, who billed it the best song on Cruel World. Humberstone's vocals were also praised on the track.

Background and release

After her debut album, Paint My Bedroom Black (2023), Humberstone returned to musical releases in 2025 with a contribution to the soundtrack for The Buccaneers, the song "Miss You to Death".[1] Months later, she confirmed that a "new world" was beginning, hinting towards the start of a new album cycle.[2] She released three singles: "Die Happy", "To Love Somebody" and "Cruel World", all of which preceded her third studio album, Cruel World (2026).[3] In an interview with InStyle, she revealed the title of "Beauty Pageant", which was not released at the time.[4] It was eventually released as a single alongside the release of Cruel World.[5] An accompanying music video was released alongside the song, which features Humberstone under the spotlight "in a jewel-embellished satin corset".[6]

Composition and lyrics

Humberstone was inspired to write "Beauty Pageant" after finding a broken jewellery box from her childhood.

Humberstone was inspired to write "Beauty Pageant" after finding a broken jewellery box in her childhood home. She was clearing out her old belongings following her parents listing her childhood home for sale and was surprised to find that despite being broken, it still played the tune when she spun the ballerina inside.[7] Prior to the release of "Beauty Pageant", Humberstone spoke about the lyrical content in an interview with InStyle. She billed it her most vulnerable song to date as the lyrics explore her attitude towards women following growing up with three sisters, going to an all-girls school, then going straight into the music industry. She had realised she had toxic thought patterns of viewing other women as competition; she wrote "Beauty Pageant" about the "unrealistic expectations girls hold [themselves] to and trying to navigate this world that isn't built for [them]—pressures of being pretty, appearing busy and hard working, getting all of [their] validation from social media".[4] She found the lyrics embarrassing to admit, but hoped people would relate to the "human element".[4]

Having become accustomed to writing with a room full of men, she had long wanted to bring up the topic of attitudes towards women in songwriting sessions. However, she had put off broaching the subject since she knew her collaborators could not relate or connect personally. She eventually decided that the subject matter of the song was too important.[7] Humberstone co-wrote "Beauty Pageant" alongside long-term collaborator Rob Milton, with help from Matt Zara; Milton and Zara also handled the production of the song.[8] "Beauty Pageant" has been described as starting as a "gentle ballad" before introducing live instruments. Many of the string instruments were played by the musical group Wired Strings.[9]

Critical reception

Elliot John of Why Now complimented Milton and Zara's production on the track. They felt that throughout the album as a whole, the production of the songs never tended to "crowd" Humberstone, so they felt that the live strings on "Beauty Pageant" landed well.[5] John also billed it as his stand-out track from Cruel World due to its production and lyrical content, hoping her next project would be rooted in its sound.[5] PopMatters' Jeffrey Davies also agreed that it was the best song on Cruel World.[10]

When the Horn Blows praised Humberstone's vocals showcases on "Beauty Pageant", as well as echoing their praise for the production and live instruments.[9] The Indie Scene billed it the perfect album closer, highlighting its "angelic vocals and satisfyingly relatable lyrics and stories".[11]

Credits and personnel

Credits adapted from Spotify.[12]

  • Holly Humberstone – vocals, songwriting
  • Rob Milton – production
  • Matt Zara – production, songwriting, bass, piano, synthesizer
  • Rosie Danvers – string arrangement
  • Wired Strings – strings
    • Hayley Pomfrett – violin
    • Kerenza Peacock – violin
    • Michael Trainor – violin
    • Natalia Bonner – violin
    • Natalie Klouda – violin
    • Patrick Kiernan – violin
    • Sarah Sexton – violin
    • Stephen Morris – violin
    • Clifton Harrison – viola
    • Meghan Cassidy – viola
    • Rosie Danvers – cello
    • Bryony James – cello
  • Dodie – clarinet
  • Mark 'Spike' Stent – mixing engineer
  • Aksel Coe – drums
  • TommyD – string production
  • Nick Taylor – engineering
  • Rob Sellens – engineering
  • Olly Thompson – engineering assistance

Release history

Region Date Format Label Ref.
Various 10 April 2026 Polydor [12]

References

  1. ↑ "Holly Humberstone – Miss You To Death". Euphoria. Archived from the original on 2 July 2025. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  2. ↑ "Holly Humberstone returns with darkly romantic new single 'Die Happy'". DIY. Archived from the original on 27 January 2026. Retrieved 3 February 2026.
  3. ↑ Richards, Will. "Holly Humberstone 'Cruel World' review: simply sublime songwriting". Rolling Stone UK. Retrieved 10 April 2026.
  4. 1 2 3 Perrier, Christina. "Holly Humberstone Is Poised for the Pop Throne". InStyle. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 John, Elliot. "Cruel World review | Holly Humberstone finds her gravity, and hints at something bolder". Why Now. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  6. ↑ "DOWN THE RABBIT HOLE AND INTO HOLLY'S FAIRYTALE". Wonderland. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  7. 1 2 Georgi, Maya. "Step Into Holly Humberstone's 'Cruel World' With the Stories Behind Her New Songs". Rolling Stone. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  8. ↑ "Cruel World / Holly Humberstone / Credits". Tidal. Retrieved 9 April 2026.
  9. 1 2 "Album Review: Holly Humberstone - 'Cruel World'". When the Horn Blows. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  10. ↑ Davies, Jeffrey. "Holly Humberstone Is Raw and Mature on 'Cruel World'". PopMatters. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  11. ↑ "Holly Humberstone returns with highly anticipated 3rd album 'Cruel World'". The Indie Scene. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
  12. 1 2 "Beauty Pageant - song and lyrics by Holly Humberstone". Spotify. Retrieved 4 May 2026.
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