Interview with Miss Teen West Midlands – Holly Hemmings

Firstly thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions about your pageant journey for my lockdown pageant blog project. It’s been lovely getting to know fellow pageant queens and about there platforms.

What made you enter pageants ?

I decided to enter my first pageant because I had a really rough last couple of years of high school so sadly I was unable to attend my prom. It really upset me that I was never able to wear a dress that I had dreamed about since I started school so I decided to start pageants so I could have that opportunity.

You have competed before, can you tell us about your journey?

I first competed in a local pageant called Miss Prom Staffordshire which is now Miss Prom UK, I didn’t fully understand the pageant system at the time and I was really nervous and honestly I thought that the other girls and I would all quite strongly compete for the title and that they would try to bring me down. When I first met all of the girls and my pageant directors; Debbie Hughes and Stephanie Wood, I knew that I had made friends for life. They were the most supportive and lovely group of people I had ever met, I soon realised that pageants weren’t competitions but a celebration of women and their beauty inside and out.

What made you decide to compete in your current system ?

Debbie and Steph decided to start running another pageant (Miss Sovereign GB) alongside Miss Prom UK and I felt like I should move on in the system but I felt safe and comfortable with the directors so this was the perfect opportunity for me. The directors really do put their heart and soul into making all the girls feel amazing and organising such an incredible show for our friends, family and the public.

What the best thing that pageants have taught you ?

The best thing pageants have taught me is the importance of self worth. There will always be people along the way the will doubt you but I’ve learnt that the only person who needs to believe in me is myself and belief in yourself will take you anywhere you wish to go.

What’s your pageant platform and why ?

I’d really like to use my title to empower young people to never doubt themselves and to help them to achieve whatever they want out of life. I personally have had to overcome so many obstacles up to now and for a really long time I felt awful about myself, I had no confidence, hope or purpose and I believe that’s because I felt so alone. I never had somebody fighting for me or speaking out for what I felt was right. I need to give our young people a voice and speak for what they believe in, some people need to have somebody to have faith in them so that they can really strive and build themselves to be their best self. We all get so caught up in the same routine and it’s really hard to fully know yourself and who you are. Right know I feel like the world is ready for change and if I can help at least one person to be themselves and speak up for what they believe in then that’s one step closer to a better life for us all.

What’s your dream title ?

I would absolutely love to be Miss Universe, I do have a really long way to go before I could even think about competing for the title but I know that if I push myself that one day I will get there.

If you were to win what would it mean to you ?

If I were to win I would honestly just feel accomplished. That all my hard work that I’ve done throughout my whole life would then have a meaning or purpose that I could teach to others. I would be fulfilled.

What’s the best advice you have for fellow pageant queens ?

As long as you be yourself and put your heart into what you do then you will always be a queen no matter what anybody says, and nobody can take that away from you.

What have you been doing in the run up to your pageant final ?

I have been trying to focus on my social media pages and lately I have been making plans for fundraising for our chosen charity Caudwell Children which will soon be in place.

How has the lockdown due to COVID19 effected your pageant journey ?

It has put a bit of a strain on things, I had multiple appearances and fundraisers that I was supposed to attend/hold but it really isn’t the end of the world, it just pushed me to be more creative with my ideas and as long as everyone is staying safe then that’s all that matters.

What makes a good pageant role model ?

I believe that a good pageant role model is somebody who doesn’t let hate bring them down but instead strives from that. Also somebody who goes out of their way to do good for people who really need it. Personally my pageant role model is Tamera Plaster, we competed together in my first pageant (Miss Prom Staffordshire) and she is the most inspirational and independent person I know, Tamera really does have a heart of gold and she shows that in her actions everyday and does not let anybody step on her crown.

What’s your favourite pageant round ?

I would say that fashion wear rounds are my favourite, they give you such a big platform to really show who you are through your outfit and I think that’s a really important thing even in everyday life. It becomes quite difficult to express yourself to others and I think fashion is the perfect way to do that.

How do you deal with pageant nerves ?

Talk to the other girls! Everyone gets butterflies and it helps so much to just talk about it, especially when they’re going through the same thing.

Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions about your pageant journey it’s been lovely reading your answers. I wish every success at your pageant final and with your platform. Much love Charlotte, Ms Diamond South Yorkshire 2020.