A Ramsey beautician successfully made it into the top 10 of Miss Manchester after walking the runway in the pageant’s grand final show.
Ashleigh Williams was chosen from 30 finalists in the pageant’s live final held at The Palace Hotel in Manchester.
The 21-year-old moved to the island at a young age but was born in Manchester, making her eligible to compete in the beauty contest.
Ashleigh, who runs her own mobile beauty business, said Miss Manchester is the first beauty pageant she has ever taken part in.
‘It was nerve wracking because it was my first ever pageant. I was so surprised I was picked considering there was so many beautiful girls.
‘It was something I did just to lift my confidence and I did it for myself and I think that’s the best thing to do.’
The competition had three rounds – little black dress, gym wear and evening wear –and the last round was for the top 10 finalists who were quizzed by a panel of celebrity judges, which included presenter Melanie Sykes, Dawn Ward and Leanne Brown from ITVBe show Real Housewives of Cheshire, model Sam Reece, Apprentice contestant and Celebrity Big Brother winner James Hill, actor and singer Ray Quinn, 2015 Miss Manchester winner Jodie Eyre and Cheshire businessman Arran Coghlan.
Ashleigh was asked to describe why she thought she would be a good role model, to which she answered: ‘I want to show young girls that they are beautiful on the inside as well as the outside and they should stay true to who they are.’
She would like to compete in more pageants and wants to run for Miss Manchester again. ‘I feel like it’s an amazing accomplishment as it was my first pageant.
To be in the show and be in the top 10 was a really amazing experience.’
In addition, Ashleigh would like to take part in promotional work over the TT fortnight. To get in contact with her email ashwill21@hotmail.com