A woman who didn't want to leave her house after being told she had alopecia has been crowned Miss Wales for 2023. Millie-Mae Adams was already the reigning Miss Cardiff before winning the prestigious pageant, beating 28 other finalists from across the country.
The 20-year-old from Cardiff, who is currently studying medicine at the University of Exeter, finished ahead of runners-up Zoe Scrimshaw from Chepstow and Helena Hawke from Caerleon at a glitzy ceremony in Newport on Saturday night. You can read more about the other contestants here.
Following her win, Millie-Mae said the Miss Wales experience had given her "opportunities I couldn't have even dreamt of" as she paid tribute to her family, friends and fellow contestants. "I don’t even know where to begin with all the thank yous that are due for the unwithering support [sic]," she said. "Miss Wales has given me opportunities I couldn’t have even dreamt of. I hope to do you all proud as your Miss Wales 2023."
Read more: Miss Wales winner describes death-defying M4 crash for first time
It has been quite the journey for the student, who originally entered the pageant in 2019 before discovering a patch of hair loss on her head ahead of competing in the final. She was later diagnosed with alopecia areata, telling WalesOnline last year that she was left "heartbroken" after her hair began falling out in clumps.
"It was right before the final I found my first patch. As a young girl, you can imagine, it's quite a traumatic experience to have your hair falling out," she said. "It knocked my confidence quite significantly really and I didn't feel like there was a lot of help from the GP.
"I was crying every day and I didn't want to leave the house, especially when the patches became more noticeable. I thought people would be staring and would notice them. It was horrible." She added: "It's starting to get a little better now, I still have patches, and I will continue to have patches probably for the rest of my life".
While it is unknown how it will develop in the future, Millie-Mae has now come to terms with her condition, adding that it had taught her "resilience above all" and encouraged her to pursue a career in medical research. "I feel I have a duty to raise awareness, educate and advocate for alopecia," she said ahead of this year's final. "I've never seen alopecia areata represented in pageantry and not really in the beauty community. I want to make the point that you can still compete in beauty pageants, even if you don't fit the typical look."
As well as studying medicine, Millie-Mae is a Yale Young Global Scholar and Exeter's first StreetDoctors team, with the charity training young people to become lifesavers through the teaching of first aid skills. She is also an ambassador for domestic abuse charity Calan DVS and recently donated a wig to a fellow alopecia sufferer.
She inherits the crown from last year's winner Darcey Corria, who made history as the first woman of colour to be crowned Miss Wales. The 22-year-old is set to represent Wales at the Miss World competition later this year just months after being involved in a horrific crash on the M4 which saw her suffer serious injuries including broken bones in her neck.
Darcey is recovering slowly and couldn't be happier for her successor, as she responded to Millie-Mae's win on social media with a heart-warming congratulatory message. "I love you Miss Wales!," she wrote. "I am absolutely over the moon for you, truly deserved angel. I am excited to see where this journey will take you, I know it’s going to be spectacular."
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