Grace Richardson becomes first openly gay Miss England
– 1 min read
A university student who endured years of bullying over her sexuality has made history by becoming the first openly gay Miss England.
Grace Richardson, 20, from Leicester, was crowned Miss England 2025 at Wolverhampton’s Grand Station on Friday, 21 November. The musical theatre student, who represents the East Midlands, described the moment as “surreal” and said she felt “empowered” to break barriers in a competition where sexuality is rarely discussed.
Grace first came out at the age of 15 during lockdown, but her honesty was met with hostility at school. She faced homophobic slurs and cruel taunts, mainly from male classmates, who also mocked her appearance. “It was a struggle to accept myself while a lot of people weren’t accepting me,” she said. “My family and close friends were supportive, but my peers made it very difficult.”
It’s important for young people in the LGBTQ community to see people representing them in all walks of life.
Despite these challenges, Grace pursued her passion for performing arts and modelling. After winning Miss Leicestershire in 2024 and Miss East Midlands earlier this year, she dazzled judges in the national finals with her confidence and a show-stopping singing and dancing routine.
Speaking after her victory, Grace said: “Knowing I’m able to share my story and represent a part of our community that hasn’t been represented in this way before is really special. It’s important for young people in the LGBTQ community to see people representing them in all walks of life.”
Her win marks a significant moment for inclusivity in British pageantry. Grace hopes her achievement will inspire others to embrace their identity without fear. “I feel so powerful and proud of myself,” she added. “To be able to represent England at such a prestigious competition and go to Miss World next year feels like breaking down barriers.”
Contestants at this year’s Miss England collectively raised £42,000 for Beauty with a Purpose, the Miss World charity supporting humanitarian projects worldwide. Grace will now prepare to represent England on the global stage at Miss World 2026.
