Schoolgirl, seven, crowned youngest ever UK winner of global beauty pageant
- 4 months ago
A British schoolgirl has been crowned the youngest ever UK winner a global pageant - despite never competing ever before.
Selina McKinnon, seven, entered the UK heats representing her home county of Kent on a whim - and won.
After being crowned Miss Kent she gained a spot at the international final in Florida, competing against ten girls from all over the world in her category.
And confident Selina was crowned International Junior Miss Princess after impressing judges with her confident and charismatic persona.
Selina bucked convention to perform without make-up and expensive outfits usually associated with the events.
Mum Sonal Patel, 49, says they spent hours prepping for the heats by practicing her speech and interviews together.
She had little formal training unlike many of her competitors who had been travelling the world to compete for several years - and before the final she spent just two days with a professional coach.
But then she stole the show like she had been doing it her whole life.
Selina, from Tonbridge, Kent, said: "It's a dream come true to represent my country and show girls just like me how to be more confident.
"It was so much fun to meet queens from around the world and talk about my pageant platform.
“Being kind gives you a golden glow in your heart.”
Mum Sonal, a corporate filmmaker added: "When Selina said she wanted to enter a pageant, I had a pretty misguided conception.
"I agreed to let her compete - but she had no professional training or experience.
"Then she just went and won the whole thing.
"She was competing against immensely talented little girls in her category.
"Some of them have been pageanting since they were two or three years old.
"She did have some professional coaching leading up to the international pageant.
"But I think it was her charisma which helped her win."
Selina convinced Sonal to let her enter the pageant in April then progressed to the next round in Orlando which took place on November 24.
She had to do interviews with ten different judges all on one day.
She also had to get on stage and model in "fun fashion" and "evening gown" attire with a choreographed routine.
Selina also opted to enter into an additional category - and wowed spectators giving an inspirational speech about kindness.
Over the next year, Selina will carry out pageant duties and is “set to take her all over the world”.
Selina McKinnon, seven, entered the UK heats representing her home county of Kent on a whim - and won.
After being crowned Miss Kent she gained a spot at the international final in Florida, competing against ten girls from all over the world in her category.
And confident Selina was crowned International Junior Miss Princess after impressing judges with her confident and charismatic persona.
Selina bucked convention to perform without make-up and expensive outfits usually associated with the events.
Mum Sonal Patel, 49, says they spent hours prepping for the heats by practicing her speech and interviews together.
She had little formal training unlike many of her competitors who had been travelling the world to compete for several years - and before the final she spent just two days with a professional coach.
But then she stole the show like she had been doing it her whole life.
Selina, from Tonbridge, Kent, said: "It's a dream come true to represent my country and show girls just like me how to be more confident.
"It was so much fun to meet queens from around the world and talk about my pageant platform.
“Being kind gives you a golden glow in your heart.”
Mum Sonal, a corporate filmmaker added: "When Selina said she wanted to enter a pageant, I had a pretty misguided conception.
"I agreed to let her compete - but she had no professional training or experience.
"Then she just went and won the whole thing.
"She was competing against immensely talented little girls in her category.
"Some of them have been pageanting since they were two or three years old.
"She did have some professional coaching leading up to the international pageant.
"But I think it was her charisma which helped her win."
Selina convinced Sonal to let her enter the pageant in April then progressed to the next round in Orlando which took place on November 24.
She had to do interviews with ten different judges all on one day.
She also had to get on stage and model in "fun fashion" and "evening gown" attire with a choreographed routine.
Selina also opted to enter into an additional category - and wowed spectators giving an inspirational speech about kindness.
Over the next year, Selina will carry out pageant duties and is “set to take her all over the world”.