A young woman from Anglesey, who has Bangladeshi parents, hopes to become the first Asian Miss Wales in this year's contest. Mohima Hussain, 22, is a mental health nurse from Menai Bridge and has been selected as a Miss Wales 2023 finalist.
Every year, the winner of Miss Wales is chosen over a three-day event which involves various events such as a charity ball and a catwalk show. The winner then goes on to qualify for Miss World, which is said to be the longest and largest pageant in the world.
The last time Wales won Miss World was in 1974 when Helen Morgan from Barry took the crown. Sophie Moulds from Ferndale came close in 2012 when she was placed first runner up.
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Last year's winner and current titleholder is 21-year-old Darcey Corria from Barry, who became the first woman of colour to be crowned Miss Wales. Although Mohima, who speaks Welsh, English and Bengali, has said that she has experienced racism in Wales, she hopes to use her platform to show that different cultures and diverse ethnicities can be celebrated in our communities.
She said: "Growing up in an ethnic minority in a small town has taught me a lot about how racism can affect people’s mental health and confidence – which I can relate to, especially when I was a young teenager. But, it has also taught me about how people from different cultures and diverse ethnicities can be celebrated in Wales and strengthen communities.
"In the main, our family has been very welcomed by the people of Anglesey. Sadly isolated incidents of racism and discrimination can stay with you though but I want to move beyond that by celebrating the Wales I know and love so much."
She added: "I want to carry on the legacy of the current Miss Wales, Darcey Corria, who is a woman of colour and encourage other young women from different cultures to know that they are celebrated and supported by the Miss Wales platform. It’s really important that they too should claim their place on that stage.
"For now, my priority is to fundraise for the Miss World charity, Beauty With A Purpose, and to spread the Miss Wales message of confidence in young women. I’m also looking forward to all the friends and memories I’ll make along the way."
The Miss Wales 2023 final will take place in April this year, with events set to take place in the Holland House Hotel in Cardiff and The Riverfront in Newport. In the run up to the final, the girls will undertake a series of challenges including raising money for the Miss World charity - Beauty With A Purpose.
They will also be taking part in a random act of kindness day on St David’s Day and holding female-related events to mark International Women’s Day on March 8. The finalists will also be attending special events, doing photoshoots and working with the media.
Miss Wales organiser, Paula Abbandonato, said: "Miss Wales is committed to Beauty With A Purpose and that means empowering young women and raising money for good causes through the glamour and fun of pageantry. The girls get to make great friends and experience new opportunities while really doing their bit for charity."
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