A woman who was bullied in school over the colour of her hair has hit back at trolls and haters by making history as the first redhead to ever win the Miss England competition. Entering the spectacular life of glitz and glamour, Jessica Gagen is now stepping up to represent England at Miss World.
The aerospace engineering student was crowned in first place at the prestigious pageant on Monday night, beating 30 other beauty queens in the final round. The 26-year-old's victory comes after she was punched, spat at, and even burned in her younger years because of her ginger hair, enduring torment from cruel classmates for years.
After her A-Levels, however, she signed up for a modelling agency and her confidence blossomed as she took to catwalks across the globe - and was even a runner-up in Miss England.
Losing out to Rehema Muthamia in last year's final, only fuelled her determination, as the new Miss England, who is studying for an integrated master's degree in aerospace engineering at the University of Liverpool, was hoping more than ever to win in order to educate younger children.
Jessica, originally from Skelmersdale, Lancashire, said: "Throughout secondary school, I was teased for being a redhead.
"I didn't mention it much during last year's competition as I'm a big believer in leaving negativity in the past, but with there never having been a red-haired Miss England I feel it's important to educate people about what redheads face in school and empower kids who are facing the same things I did.
"I was name-called on the daily, and although I don't think the kids were being malicious in doing, so there were definitely times they were.
"I was hit, spat at and had things thrown at my head quite a few times, but worst was when a girl burned me for having ginger hair.
"In Year 7, I used to eat my lunch in the school toilets, because on the occasions I’d try to sit with some of the girls they'd stand up and leave me by myself.
"I used to get really upset about it all, but I'm determined to show kids who are facing the same thing that it won't happen forever."
Despite finishing runner-up for Miss England 2021, Jessica won the national Explore the Nation round at the event.
After a few close calls, and signing up for multiple agencies and starting her international modelling journey at 18, she's now set to face her greatest competition yet by taking the world stage representing England.
After campaigning both this year and last to get girls into STEM subjects, Jessica has now realised the importance of how girls should empower their looks.
She explained: "I looked back and I was thinking there are not that many redheads on TV.
"I think it would be so good if there could be somebody in that kind of position who is a redhead. Even last year there wasn't one redhead in Miss World.
"I thought if I could win this, I could empower kids who being bullied for the way that they look and the colour of their hair.
"I'm the only redhead in my family so I'd always been looking for somebody who kind of understood the bullying through school.
"It is nice to be able to represent the younger kids and say 'I have been through it and you can use that pain to raise your game'. Make it your superpower."
Alongside modelling, Jessica has helped raise over the £6,000 for local charities and, in 2021, she raised funds for Beauty with a Purpose.
She ran 5k in fancy dress every day consecutively for 96 days in Liverpool, and is known locally as Fancy-Dress Jess.
Do you have a story? We want to hear it! Get in touch at grace.hoffman@reachplc.com
