A Lanarkshire beauty queen is aiming to conquer the universe later this year.
Claudia Todd, from Bothwell, is in the running to represent Great Britain at the 2023 Miss Universe pageant, held this year in El Salvador.
The 27-year-old former Disney Princess performer runs her own skincare business- Lumiere Beauty - and has signed with Colours modelling agency and enjoys being part of the fashion industry.
The businesswoman will be taking part in the 2023 Miss Universe Great Britain competition in South Wales in July.
She said: “I am really excited to have been chosen as a finalist for Miss Universe Great Britain this year.
“Miss Universe is one of the biggest pageants in the world and I think it’s going to be a huge adventure as well as a lot of fun.”
When Claudia was only 21 she battled the silent killer Sepsis which stemmed from an underlying kidney infection. After always living a healthy lifestyle, she was frightened when she nearly lost her life.
After three weeks in Wishaw General Hospital, Claudia thankfully recovered and has decided to take to social media to raise awareness of the illness.
She has been an ambassador of the UK Sepsis Trust for six years and has raised £40,000 for the charity through many successful charity events.
The former Miss Scotland 2021 has also created a programme for children in deprived areas called Wishes for Children to enjoy a range of activities.
“Your postcode should not determine what you do in life,” said Claudia.
“If I was to win Miss Universe GB I would strive to expand my programme for children in need throughout Great Britain.”
As part of her journey, Claudia is fundraising for Dress For Success and A-Sisterhood – two organisations in which support the advancement of women worldwide.
Dress For Success provide women with the services, tools and professional work attire to secure employment and advance their careers while A-Sisterhood supports a series of international causes and charities which are focused on helping women in need throughout the world.
On June 25, the glamorous ladies lunch - Fashion Fizz & Fearless Women - will be held at Dalziel Park, Motherwell in aid for both charities.
This year, monies from the fundraising will also go to a number of female-related causes including Stop Acid Attacks in India which helps survivors of acid violence.
Claudia added: “I am looking forward to supporting Dress For Success and A-Sisterhood as part of the process.
“The smallest gestures create the biggest impact and she believes that through her commitment to charity work, using her social media platform to help women feel empowered will encourage them to let their voices be heard, as every woman deserves an equal chance in life no matter where they are from.”
The Miss Universe GB final, from July 7 to 9, will include a Bring A Bra Ball organised for A-Sisterhood with finalists and their guests donating bras which will be sent to women in Africa in association with Smalls for All; an empowerment day lead by one of the UK’s foremost leadership coaches; and a catwalk show before a panel of judges from the beauty and fashion industry.
As well as getting the opportunity to represent the UK for around three weeks at Miss Universe in El Salvador at the end of the year, the winner of Miss Universe Great Britain will also visit travel on humanitarian projects linked to A-Sisterhood.
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