Grace Richardson (model)
Grace Richardson | |
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| Born | 2004 or 2005 (age 20–21)[1] Leicester, England |
| Education | Leicester College of Performing Arts |
| Occupations |
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| Beauty pageant titleholder | |
| Title |
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Major competitions |
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Grace Richardson (born c. 2004/2005) is an English model and beauty pageant titleholder who was crowned Miss England 2025.[1] She is the first openly gay woman to win the national title.[2]
Early life and education
Richardson was raised in Leicester, Leicestershire.[1] She attended local schools in Leicestershire and pursued training in performing arts and musical theatre at the Leicester College of Performing Arts (LCPA).[3]
Richardson came out as gay at age 15.[1] She has spoken publicly about experiencing homophobic bullying during her school years and has cited her experiences as motivation to advocate for LGBTQ+ youth visibility.[2][3]
Pageantry
Early titles
Richardson began competing in pageantry in 2024, securing the regional title of Miss Leicestershire.[1] The following year, she was crowned Miss East Midlands 2025, granting her entry to the national final.[1]
Miss England 2025
On 21 November 2025, Richardson represented the East Midlands at the Miss England national finals held at Grand Station in Wolverhampton.[1] During the competition, she won the talent category with a singing performance of "Never Enough" from The Greatest Showman, having transitioned to a vocal routine after sustaining a foot injury that prevented her from performing a planned ballet piece.[3]
At the conclusion of the event, Richardson was crowned Miss England 2025.[2] Her victory marked the first time in the history of the Miss England competition that an openly gay contestant won the crown.[2]
Miss World 2026
As Miss England 2025, Richardson was selected to represent England at the Miss World 2026 pageant.[4] Through her reign, she raised £42,000 for "Beauty with a Purpose", the official charitable organization of Miss World.[5]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Introducing Grace Richardson: The First Openly Gay "Miss England"". GO Magazine. 25 November 2025.
- 1 2 3 4 "Miss England Crowns First Out Gay Winner". OUT FRONT Magazine. 26 November 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Grace Richardson makes history as first openly gay Miss England: 'I've achieved my dream'". The Optimist Daily. 5 December 2025.
- ↑ "Grace Richardson: Why I refused to hide my sexuality from Miss World". The Independent. 31 May 2026.
- ↑ "Grace Richardson Becomes First Openly Gay Miss England". Grand Pinnacle Tribune. 26 November 2025.