• [Dailystar Icon]
• News
• Latest News
• Pageants

Bullied beauty queen becomes first ever gay Miss England winner after being taunted with 'slurs'

Grace Richardson was teased and taunted by cruel classmates when she came out as gay at secondary school, but the brave beauty queen has now been crowned Miss England

[Brave Grace has beaten the bullies]

Brave Grace has beaten the bullies(Image: Alan Strutt / SWNS)

Brave beauty queen Grace Richardson was bullied at school because of her sexuality... now she has become the first openly gay Miss England winner.

The uni student, 20, was picked on by cruel classmates and subjected to homophobic slurs when she came out five years ago. She says it was mainly boys at her school who would target her over her sexuality and taunted her, saying she was "too skinny".

But the part-time model has had the last laugh after being crowned Miss England and she now hopes to inspire others in the LGTBQ+ community and break down stereotypes surrounding gay women.

[Grace will now represent England at Miss World]

Grace will now represent England at Miss World(Image: Courtesy Grace Richardson / SWNS)

She said: "Knowing that 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 is important for young people in the LGBTQ community to see people representing them in all types of walks of life. I haven't seen anyone in pageantry talk about sexuality in the way that I have so it is important to me for them to feel seen."

The musical theatre student, from Leicester, took the crown on Friday, November 21, after a series of qualifying competitions.

[Grace hopes to inspire others]

Grace hopes to inspire others(Image: Courtesy Grace Richardson / SWNS)

After winning Miss Leicestershire 2024 and re entering this year winning Miss East Midlands 2025, Grace continued to shine throughout the national stages.

Representing the East Midlands in the finals at the Grand Station in Wolverhampton, Grace impressed the judges across several rounds and delivered a show-stopping singing and dancing performance .

She said: "I wasn't expecting it to be me. There was so many incredible girls in that top 12 and I think all of them deserved to win.

[Grace as a youngster]

Grace as a youngster(Image: Courtesy Grace Richardson / SWNS)

"I'm feeling quite empowered right now knowing that there is a whole community of women out there that are going to hopefully feel inspired by the fact that I have gone and said that so publicly in a competition where it's not really talked about."

Grace first came out to her family and friends at the age of 15 during lockdown. Despite her family and close friends being supportive, she was bullied throughout school - and "struggled" to accept herself.

Now being crowned Miss England she said to is "empowered" and "breaking barriers". She added: "I feel so powerful and proud of myself. My coming out story wasn't the easiest.

[Grace, centre, with runners up Lisa Austin and Evanjeline Elchanar]

Grace, centre, with runners up Lisa Austin and Evanjeline Elchanar(Image: Alan Strutt / SWNS)

"My very close friends and family were all very supportive. But for some reason those at school, my peers, just weren't in the same way that my family were. It was a struggle to accept myself while a lot of people weren't accepting me.

"To be able to represent England at such a prestigious competition and go to Miss World next year it feels like I am breaking down those barriers and expectations that my peers set for me."

Grace said to be "beyond excited" to attend next year's Miss World. This years finalists collectively raised an incredible 42,000 for Beauty with a Purpose - the Miss World charity that supports humanitarian projects around the globe.

For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here .

[Dailystar Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Star as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.