A 24-YEAR-OLD from Northwich has secured a place in the Miss Universe Great Britain finals, something she has been dreaming about since she started competing in pageants to help boost her confidence.
Kelsey Poulton, an events and operations manager, will take to the stage in July for the chance to become Miss Universe Great Britain and go on to represent Great Britain at Miss Universe in El Salvador.
“Miss Universe has always been the goal,” Kelsey explained.
“I finally took the leap of faith and have been lucky enough to be successful.”
She has been taking part in pageants for around 11 years, after growing up in Spain and moving to the UK when she was 10.
She described how she didn’t feel like she fit in, so started in the pageant world to build confidence.
“I fell in love, and I’ve never stopped,” Kelsey said.
She describes herself as an activist, promoting her #LOOKBEYOND campaign which aims to raise awareness of period poverty and the effects it has on women and girls globally.
Kelsey has been able to visit Romania and Spain to campaign and provide much-needed menstrual items to women and girls living in extreme poverty.
As part of her journey, Kelsey is also fundraising for A-Sisterhood – an organisation which supports the advancement of women worldwide.
Kelsey has already held a brunch at The Salthouse NW in Northwich, raising more than £1,000 and is looking forward to her next event, ‘A La Fiesta’, a salsa extravaganza, in July.
“It’s not just about how you look on the outside,” Kelsey explained, as she described how finalists are interviewed and pick up skills which come in useful in everyday life.
“Obviously you get to dress up and be on stage, but you need to have the skills to speak to people.
“It’s about the experience, I always say I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it.
"Miss Universe is one of the biggest pageants in the world and has been a long term goal of mine to walk that stage.
"I have already met so many of the other finalists and I think we are going to have a ball.”
National director of Miss Universe Great Britain, Paula Abbandonato, added: “We have an incredible line-up of young women at Miss Universe Great Britain once again this year.
“They are all bring something special to the table and are proud to be feminists in heels.
“It’s going to be an excellent competition and I wish them all the very best of luck.”
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